De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter

1965

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De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter

In 1964 de Havilland Canada announced that it was developing a twin-turboprop high-wing monoplane with STOL capability to provide accommodation for 13 to 18 passengers. Identified as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, the first of an initial batch of five made its maiden flight on 20 May 1965. Powerplant of the first three aircraft consisted of two 432kW Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada PT6A engines, but the fourth and subsequent examples of this first Twin Otter Series 100 production version had PT6A-20 engines of similar output. Design of the aircraft's wing includes double-slotted trailing-edge flaps and ailerons which can be drooped simultaneously with the flaps to enhance STOL performance. Fixed tricycle landing gear can have optional float or ski installations, as well as the standard wheels.

Intended primarily for service with commuter or third-level airlines, the Twin Otter has nevertheless seen wide use with air forces and government agencies. Military operators include Argentina, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Nepal, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the USA and Venezuela.

The first Twin Otter Series 100 entered service in 1966, and, following manufacture of 115 of that version, production switched to the Twin Otter Series 200. It differed by having increased baggage capacity in a lengthened fuselage nose and was certificated for operation at a higher gross weight. After 115 had been built the production Twin Otter Series 300 was introduced, this having more powerful PT6A-27 engines which make possible an increase of almost 454kg in maximum take-off weight. Later production aircraft had a 20-seat commuter interior as standard and all floatplane versions, irrespective of series, retain the shorter fuselage nose of the original Series 100. Specialised equipment that has been developed to enhance the capabilities of these popular aircraft includes a ventral pod to carry 272kg of freight and an expendable fabric membrane tank holding 1818 litres of water for water-bombing fire-fighting operations.

In 1982 DH Canada offered two specialised military versions designated Twin Otter Series 300M basic military transport or COIN version armed with cabin-mounted machine-guns and underwing hardpoints, and the 300MR maritime reconnaissance version equipped with search radar, comprehensive avionics and a wing-mounted searchlight. Although a prototype 300MR was flown, the only buyer was Senegal with a single aircraft. When the last Twin Otter was delivered in December 1988 production had reached 844. Studies for a successor are designated DHC-9.

VARIANTS

Twin Otter 300S: designation of six aircraft fitted with 11 seats, an improved high-capacity anti-skid braking system and wing spoilers, built for the 1973 experimental Air Transit service linking downtown STOL airports in Montreal and Ottawa.

Twin Otter Series 400: proposed development to meet US FAR 36 noise regulations. Not built.

UV-18A: two standard Series 300s delivered October 1976 onwards to the US Army Alaska National Guard, followed by four more in 1979 and 1982. Operating on wheels, floats or skis they are used for command, personnel or logistic flights within Alaska.

UV-18B: two standard Series 300s delivered to the US Air Force Academy in 1977 and used for sporting parachuting activities.

Specification 
 MODELDHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300
 ENGINE2 x Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada PT6A-27 turboprops, 486kW
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight5670 kg12500 lb
  Empty weight3363 kg7414 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan19.81 m65 ft 0 in
  Length15.77 m52 ft 9 in
  Height5.94 m20 ft 6 in
  Wing area39.02 m2420.01 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Cruise speed338 km/h210 mph
  Ceiling8140 m26700 ft
  Range1297 km806 miles

Comments1-20 21-40 41-60 61-80
hildebrando reyes, e-mail, 26.09.2010 19:41

Me podrian informar cuanto cuestan los flotadores para el twin otter?

reply

Roberto Campos, e-mail, 14.09.2010 15:24

Hi,

I´m looking for an Twin Otter to lease and use in Brasil for skidiving purposes.
Anyone?

Regards,

Roberto Campos

reply

Steve Earle, e-mail, 09.09.2010 18:28

I currently own Twin Otter MSN 553. It is a 17000 hour machine with factory new PT6-27 engines, fresh 5 yr CPCP, CDN reg, and all AD's /SB's up to date. It was bought by the previous owner from the factory and spent every night in the same hanger for 33 years. The documents go back to birth and are impecable.The aircraft is for sale.

reply

RAZA ULLAH KHAN, e-mail, 05.07.2010 11:51

we are looking to wet /dry lease 1 x Single Otter for a period of 01 year initially starting Oct, 2010 for operations in Pakistan. Is anyone aware of any availability or offer us one with terms and conditions?

reply

RAZA ULLAH KHAN, e-mail, 05.07.2010 11:56

we are looking to wet /dry lease 1 x Twin Otter for a period of 01 year initially starting Oct, 2010 for operations in Pakistan. Is anyone aware of any availability or offer us one with terms and conditions?

reply

Bob Leonard, e-mail, 19.08.2010 21:37

Considering the amount of comments & purchase offers listed below, it appears that Viking has made a smart move to start producing the DHC-6 (improved) again. I first flew a 100 series in late 1967. A year later our company purchased 2 ea 200 series as our commuter airline was growing quickly. The Twin Otter is a real hauler. During the 1970's it was being used (on floats) to give fixed wing support to an oil pipeline project in the Amazon. Using the many rivers the aircraft proved it worth by doing the following: During an 8 month period, 2 Twin Otters (on floats working 7 days a week)flew 2,691 hours making 2,405 T /O-Lnds, passengers flown, 16,492, cargo hauled: 2,499,463 lbs. Average number of passengers per leg: 7 Average weight of cargo hauled per leg: 1,060 lbs.
Average flight time per leg: 1 hours 12 minutes. We had 5 crews (Capt. FO) plus cabin attendents to do this work. I have enjoyed flying the aircraft on both wheels and floats. Using bata & reverse it was the best floatplane on water that I every taxied. You could move ANY direction under complete control. You had BRAKES! I have read data on the new Viking 400 and feel it will be a winner!

reply

Bob Leonard, e-mail, 19.08.2010 21:38

Considering the amount of comments & purchase offers listed below, it appears that Viking has made a smart move to start producing the DHC-6 (improved) again. I first flew a 100 series in late 1967. A year later our company purchased 2 ea 200 series as our commuter airline was growing quickly. The Twin Otter is a real hauler. During the 1970's it was being used (on floats) to give fixed wing support to an oil pipeline project in the Amazon. Using the many rivers the aircraft proved it worth by doing the following: During an 8 month period, 2 Twin Otters (on floats working 7 days a week)flew 2,691 hours making 2,405 T /O-Lnds, passengers flown, 16,492, cargo hauled: 2,499,463 lbs. Average number of passengers per leg: 7 Average weight of cargo hauled per leg: 1,060 lbs.
Average flight time per leg: 1 hours 12 minutes. We had 5 crews (Capt. FO) plus cabin attendents to do this work. I have enjoyed flying the aircraft on both wheels and floats. Using bata & reverse it was the best floatplane on water that I every taxied. You could move ANY direction under complete control. You had BRAKES! I have read data on the new Viking 400 and feel it will be a winner!

reply

Nelly, e-mail, 23.05.2010 16:16

We're looking for two Twin Otter 400 SERIES, Please advise me
the condition, price and shipment.

Appreciate the info & help

reply

Paul Reeves, e-mail, 14.04.2010 20:18

I am looking for PT6A engines any conditon considered. Please contact me by email.

reply

Matheu, e-mail, 13.04.2010 20:46

Sirs, I´m interest in avaluating the DHC-6 Twin Otter , could you please help me providing maintenance & operability costs?Thanks

reply

Kiril, e-mail, 04.04.2010 23:50

I am able to offer DHC-6 Twin Otters for sale. Contact me for more information.
E-mail: chochkov@aero-x.eu

reply

A. Pinto, e-mail, 09.03.2010 02:51

Hello
I am interrest in buy a Twin Otter DHC.6
Tanks

reply

Jose Abraham, e-mail, 15.02.2010 16:47

We need to buy a Twin Otter, if some one knows, we'll apprecite any information, is for use in southern Mendoza, Argentina.

reply

luis fernando salazar, e-mail, 04.01.2010 18:39

soy piloto de twin otter dch6 serie 300, estamos operando en colombia, me gustaria saber donde puedo conseguir informacion para actualizar el MEL del avion

reply

R Hull, e-mail, 08.12.2009 01:50

Viking aircraft of Victoria BC is the holder of the patents and license for all the De Havilland Canada designs and is currently starting to build new twin otter 400s saw the first one off the Assembly line on Shawnigan Lake doing its work ups

reply

cherry, e-mail, 17.11.2009 06:11

I would like to know fuel consumption of this aircrafts

reply

Cherry, e-mail, 17.11.2009 06:10

I would like to know fuel consumption of this aircraft.

reply

Dario Laverde, e-mail, 03.11.2009 15:50

I have one 300 series twin otter for sale. ready for immediate delivery

reply

JUSTIN GRAY, e-mail, 07.10.2009 23:37

I HAVE 01 Twin Otter IF YOU ARE INTERSTED MR TATU YOU CN CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL

reply

hari k. shrestha, e-mail, 31.08.2009 18:45

I am looking to lease(wet /dry) 3 twin otters DHC.6 for at 5 years.

reply

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