Viking promotes its new Twin Otter 400S seaplane British Columbia, Canadabased Viking Air (Chalet CD11) is expanding its line of the popular Series 400 Twin Otter with a dedicated seaplane version, which the company says is the first ever to be offered in the 15- to 19-passenger category. Named the 400S, the seaplane derivative is offered (for now) with non-amphibious “straight” floats only. It will carry a list price less than $6 million, with first deliveries set for the first quarter of 2017. A Viking Twin Otter (on wheels) is here at the Singapore Airshow static display, and the company is hoping for more orders from Asian customers. Malaysia Airlines subsidiary MASwings, for example, is operating Twin Otters, as well as Indonesia’s Airfast. The twin turboprop has long been offered in numerous versions for conventional commercial passenger
service as well as mountain flying (including with skis), cargo, parachuting, special mission operations and on Wipline aluminum amphibious floats. The 400S seaplane version will feature new-generation composite straight floats (manufacturer still to be determined); the Honeywell “SuperLite” integrated digital avionics suite adapted for VFR (visual flight rules) operations; a standard 17-passenger seating configuration; and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines incorporating platinum-coated CT propeller blades. Available upgrades include IFR (instrument flight rules) avionics; 19-passenger configuration; and a 15-seat/cargo combi configuration. Amphibious versions of the composite floats are planned for the future. Viking said that the 400S is adapted for
JSF is coming! After the disappointment of two years ago when the F-35 had to cancel, the stealthy fighter is on course to appear at this year’s Farnborough air show.
MARK WAGNER
by Jennifer Meszaro & Thierry Dubois
If this new-manufacture twin turboprop looks familiar, it should. Viking Air’s Series 400 Twin Otter is a modernized version of de Havilland Canada’s venerable DHC-6 model, right down to the PT6 engines. The example being exhibited is on wheels, but the company is announcing at Singapore Airshow 2016 a version on straight (no wheels) composite floats, with an amphibious version to follow.
quick turn-around cycles and can achieve a break-even load factor of around eight passengers under typical operating conditions. Viking is introducing corrosion-resistant packages on the 400S for the airframe, powerplant and fuel system, along with additional draining, sealing and
prevalent use of corrosion-resistant material throughout the aircraft. These extra measures are taken to allow the Viking 400S to operate in extreme marine environments while reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Viking obtained the de Havilland Canada Twin Otter
Farnborough gears up for F-35 by David Donald Held biennially, the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) is one of the major dates in the aerospace calendar, bringing together exhibitors, potential customers and visitors from around the world. The organizers of this year’s event, to be held between July 11 and 17, are reporting that there is still a small amount of space remaining, but that inquiries are coming in daily, and it is going fast. FIA16’s organizers have focused on growing international participation yet further, and more than 20 countries will have national pavilions. New participants include Austria and Brazil and, signifying a major increase in presence, China will have a national pavilion for the first time, in addition to the regular Avic and Comac exhibits. International delegations in both civil and defense fields have also increased. Sectors in which the show is expanding include space, additive manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). The show is being made more accessible for small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) through a number of initiatives, such as a first-time exhibitors package. The show’s successful Meet the Buyer sessions are being expanded from two to three days. For many visitors the expected highlight of the Farnborough show will be the much-anticipated UK appearance of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which is scheduled to make a
40 Singapore Airshow News • February 17, 2016 • www.ainonline.com
transatlantic trip to participate at FIA16 and the Royal International Air Tattoo. The JSF was due to appear at Farnborough in 2014, but the trip was cancelled following a fleet grounding. Details of the F-35’s participation have yet to be decided, but the aircraft’s appearance is of great significance to many UK companies that are involved in the aircraft’s supply chain. FIA has seen something of an ‘F-35 factor’ as companies associated with the aircraft have expanded their space or joined up for the first time. New Drone Zone
FIA16 also coincides with the 100th birthday of Boeing, which is bringing its “Above and Beyond” traveling exhibition of aerospace innovation to Farnborough. New for the show’s public weekend is a Drone Zone dedicated to the use of small air vehicles by private consumers, including a regulation area to explain the laws surrounding their use. The Farnborough Live area will enhance the interactive nature of the show for the public. Already Farnborough International Ltd is looking forward to FIA’s 2018 edition, which will introduce some major changes. The temporary Hall 1/1A accommodation is being replaced by a permanent exhibition hall. This will remain open to the public during the weekend, housing the Space and Innovation Zones, among other attractions. o
type certificate and restarted production in 2010. Powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engines, the $7 million standard aircraft can seat up to 19 passengers and features Honeywell Primus Apex avionics. Viking also supports the De Havilland legacy fleet. o
SATELLITE MOVE EXTENDS AIRBUS SKYNET COVERAGE Following the successful repositioning of its Skynet 5A satellite from a 6 degrees East to 95 degrees West location last September, Airbus Defence & Space is offering resilient military satellite communications services in the Asia Pacific region. From its new position, Skynet 5A provides global X-band and UHF coverage from 178 degrees West to 163 degrees East, a region that includes the Indian Ocean. Airbus has signed an agreement with CopaSAT to become a channel partner of Skynet, offering services to U.S. military customers. CopaSAT, in conjunction with Tampa Microwave, conducted end-to-end tests to prove the performance of the system with the satellite in its new position. Skynet is an eight-satellite constellation, plus ground stations, providing the UK Ministry of Defence with hardened communications capability. As part of the contract with the UK, Airbus is able to allow NATO governments and the other “five-eyes” nations (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States) to use the system to augment their –D.D. existing services.