International Civil Aviation Organization Signs Deal
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), acting on
behalf of the Government of Argentina and the Argentine Aeronautic
Administration (AAA), has awarded to Viking Air Limited of
Victoria, BC the heavy maintenance contract for complete overhaul
and engine upgrade for one of eight DHC-6-200 Twin Otters operated
by the AAA.
The contract will be carried out at Viking's repair and overhaul
facility at Victoria International Airport, and encompasses
aircraft inspection and overhaul, major "D" check, installation of
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines and Hartzell 3 blade
props, complete paint, flight testing and certification to return
the aircraft to service.
Ted Gerow, Viking's director of maintenance, will assist on site
at the Quilmes, Argentina facility to disassemble the aircraft and
prepare for shipping to Viking Air. The work is expected to
commence in October 2008.
"We are honored to be selected by the Argentine Air Force (AAF)
for this contract" commented David Curtis, Viking president &
CEO, "and believe that this aircraft could lead to future
opportunities with the AAF. As the Twin Otter OEM we are best
positioned to return the aircraft to like-new factory condition
after 40 years of service and extend its life for many years to
come."
ICAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, was created in
1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international
civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and
regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency,
and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection.
The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields
of civil aviation among its 190 Contracting States.
In preparation for the Twin Otter Series 400 Production Program,
and worldwide support for the heritage Twin Otter fleet, Viking has
tripled its manufacturing and assembly facilities with the addition
of a brand new +/-84,000 square foot building at the Victoria, BC
location and final assembly facility in Calgary, AB.
This increase will allow Viking to expand MRO capacity by over
100% within the next year at the Victoria facility, as well as
provide for new contract custom configuration and special mission
modification for Series 400 customers at the Calgary centre.
Staffing levels have also greatly increased to keep up with
production, with over 130 new employees added in the past two
years, and targets over 350 employees to be on staff by the end of
2008.
Viking provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de
Havilland heritage line of aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7), and is
part of Westerkirk Capital Inc., a Canadian private investment firm
with substantial holdings in the hospitality, aviation and real
estate sectors.
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