Story ID: 360Oshkosh
Viking Makes Oshkosh Debut with Milestone Aircraft
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The Canadian manufacturer revived the Twin Otter assembly line and has now produced more than 100 of the rugged turboprop twins.
Word Count: 185
Canadian airframer Viking Air is making its debut at EAA AirVenture, and to mark the occasion the company brought its 100th production aircraft to the show, which runs through Sunday in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. "This marks the first year Viking has participated in the AirVenture, and it's only fitting that we bring our 100th production aircraft, emblazoned with the Canadian maple leaf, the same year we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary,” noted company president and CEO David Curtis.

In 2006, the British Columbia-based manufacturer acquired the type certificates from Bombardier for all out-of-production de Havilland aircraft and restarted the Twin Otter production line, now known as the Twin Otter Series 400.

According to Viking, of the first 100 Series 400 Twin Otters manufactured, 70 are configured with standard wheeled landing gear, 18 with straight or amphibious floats, 10 with intermediate flotation gear and two with wheel skis, underscoring the aircraft’s versatility and it’s ability to operate in extreme environments. The aircraft on display this week at the show at the Wipaire booth is a factory demonstrator operated by Viking’s sister company, Pacific Sky Aviation.