First OEM To Receive Type Certification On New Airframe
Quest Aircraft announced this week its Kodiak turboprop has
received Type Certification (TC) for modifications optimizing the
utility aircraft for parachute jump operations. The standard
airworthiness certificate is a first for an aircraft delivered new
from the factory to the end user.
The Rhine Army Parachute Association (RAPA), the aircraft's
owner, took delivery of the aircraft in late June and flew the
Kodiak to their home base in Bad Lippspringe, Germany. RAPA is a
service charity of the British Army and provides military training,
sport training for both military personnel and civilians and
parachuting/skydiving exercises and competitions.
The Kodiak officially entered service last week when it was
utilized in a jump competition, marking the first time competitive
jumps were made from a Kodiak.
"When RAPA approached us about the Kodiak we looked at various
options for delivering an aircraft modified for jump operations,"
said Paul Schaller, Quest President and CEO. "Based on input from
RAPA and other potential customers, as well as what we had learned
about the airframe during the FAA certification process, we decided
to develop and certify the jump package ourselves so we could
deliver a certified Kodiak directly to the customer."
British Major Paul Moore, Commandant of the Joint Services Jump
Center and assigned to RAPA, worked with Quest during the
certification process and was the first to take the initial test
jumps after certification. "Everything went very, very smoothly,"
said Moore. "We are exceedingly pleased with the equipment and
modifications that Quest made to the Kodiak. The aircraft will
serve our needs very well."
Moore said RAPA had looked at several different aircraft to
replace its aging fleet and decided on the Kodiak because of its
"high utility and versatility." Quest designed and installed a
roll-down door which allows for easy egress and is also closable
from the pilot's seat. Other installed equipment includes a
wing-mounted camera, a 14-inch photographer step, wind deflector,
jump lights, and internal and external grab rails that run the full
length of the door.
Moore and his crew departed Sandpoint on June 30, and arrived in
Bad Lippspringe on July 5. "The performance and endurance of the
Kodiak was amazing," said Moore of the trip home. "We knew this was
a great airplane, but the flight home was a true testament to the
outstanding performance of the Kodiak."
The flight across the Atlantic was completed with the Kodiak's
standard fuel capacity, without ferry tanks.
"Since we've rolled out the Kodiak to the commercial
marketplace, we've had interest from a wide variety of market
segments," added Quest's Schaller. "We've had inquiries from both
the private and military sectors for parachute operations, so we
are really pleased to now have a Kodiak in the field performing
this mission. We anticipate more customers ordering this
option."
The Kodiak received FAA Type Certification on May 30 2007, and
began customer deliveries in December.