On Display To Alaska Airmen
Quest Aircraft's KODIAK made its official worldwide debut Friday
at a press conference prior to the opening of the Alaska State
Aviation Trade Show in Anchorage, Alaska. The 10-place single
engine turboprop utility aircraft was flown to Alaska from the
company's design and production facilities in Sandpoint, Idaho.
"We have been extremely pleased with the performance of the
KODIAK so far in flight test," stated Paul Schaller, President and
CEO. "All the performance numbers are coming in as expected and
we're pleased to share them with prospective customers, press and
the public here in Alaska and on our web site."
Today marks the first day the company is taking orders for the
aircraft from the public. Base price for the KODIAK is
$1,111,000. The rugged aluminum airplane uses a reliable Pratt
& Whitney PT6 750 shp turbine engine to get motivated. And
motivate it does, allowing the Kodiak to take off in under 700 feet
and climb at over 1700 feet per minute.
The airframe can carry heavy loads, up to a full gross takeoff
weight of 6750 lbs with a useful load of 3450 lbs. A creative wing
design along with the powerful engine provides STOL performance off
of unimproved surfaces.
"We decided to debut the KODIAK in Alaska near its namesake
location because the aircraft is well-designed for the way Alaskan
operators fly and as the new generation of back country aircraft,
it updates the venerable Beaver and Otter which have proven to be
so useful here," Schaller said. "The STOL wing gives the aircraft
good handling qualities in a wide variety of conditions and the
robust landing gear allows the KODIAK to easily handle unimproved
airstrips. And it is designed for floats and amphibs."
Quest Aircraft has a long-term commitment to the humanitarian
and mission aviation market where rugged design for highly reliable
remote operations is essential. The values and purpose of the
company and its personnel reflect the mission for which the
aircraft was developed.
The KODIAK will return to Sandpoint to continue the flight test
program after stops in Juneau and Ketchikan. Certification is
planned for completion in early 2006, with customer deliveries to
commence shortly afterward.
A 57,000 square foot expansion to Quest's Sandpoint facility is
nearing completion. It will house the KODIAK production line.