Fifty years after the DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprop made its first flight, Canada’s Viking Air (Static B6) is displaying the modernized Twin Otter Series 400 here at the Paris Air Show, where it is also announcing new sales representatives.
Viking said UK-based aviation sales and marketing firm Liftec will serve as the Twin Otter Series 400 sales representative for eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States excluding Russia, and the Baltic states. It has assigned Hanbaek Aerospace of Seoul, South Korea, as sales representative for that country.
Founded in 2012, Hanbaek Aerospace is focused on improving South Korea’s military capabilities. The consulting company “is perfectly positioned to assist Viking with bidding the Twin Otter Guardian 400 military variant for force improvement projects,” Viking said. It will also support sales of the aircraft to the regional commuter segment.
“With the help of Hanbaek, we are excited to be tapping into the Series 400 Twin Otter’s market potential in Korea,” said Peter Walker, Viking regional sales director for the Asia Pacific. “We feel the Twin Otter Guardian 400 in particular will be an asset for the Korean military for special missions and maritime surveillance.”
‘Twotter’ at Fifty
Viking also announced that it will conduct a two-plane tour of 11 communities in Canada’s north, as well as the Canadian Forces bases at Eureka and Alert, to mark the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the DHC-6 Twin Otter on May 20, 1965. The tour will also recognize the first time Canada’s official flag was raised over the Houses of Parliament in 1965.
The tour begins on July 1 as part of the city of Victoria’s Canada Day festivities and extends through July 17. Residents of communities on the tour will have an opportunity to sign a wing rib for the 100th Viking production aircraft, which will be built in 2016.
“The 50th Anniversary Celebration Tour is a way for us to pay tribute to the Canadian north and thank the valued pilots, passengers, owners, operators, mechanics and engineers who have contributed to the Twin Otter’s success,” said Sherry Brydson, chairman of the board of Westerkirk Capital, which owns Viking. “We hope to hear and document some of the unique and historic stories of residents who have been served by the Twin Otter since its first flight in 1965.”