Will Replace Golden Knights' Older Twin Otters, Porter
The US Army Golden Knights parachute team will soon be ferried
aloft in some new rides. Viking Air Limited announced Monday it has
won a $14.3 million contract to supply three new DHC-6 Twin Otter
Series 400 aircraft to the team.
The Golden Knights, established in 1959 as the official US Army
Parachute Team, becomes the 9th operator to purchase Viking's new
Twin Otters. They will replace the team’s existing fleet of
two Twin Otter Series 300 (UV-18 in Army designation), purchased
new by the US Army from de Havilland Canada in 1979; and one
Pilatus Porter.
"Our two original Twin Otters have been serving the US Army
since 1979, first in the remote tundra of Alaska as ski planes, and
since 1997 with the Golden Knights parachute team, providing
flawless support for thousands of demonstration, competition and
tandem jumps," said Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel Tony Dill,
Golden Knights’ Commander. "This is a superb aircraft, with a
lifetime of service to the US Military and nearly 10,000 hours and
18,000 landings with the Golden Knights. It provides an efficient
jump platform; short time to climb; and the capacity to accommodate
16 jumpers at the same time. We are confident that our new
airplanes will provide outstanding support to the US Army for years
to come."
Delivery of the first new aircraft will take place in 2010, with
the remaining two delivered in 2011.
"Being awarded this contract is great news for us; it confirms
our belief in the performance and qualities of the Twin Otter",
says David Curtis, president of Viking. "We are glad it has been
chosen once again by the Golden Knights, as we believe that this
aircraft and its enhanced performance are a true match for the
team’s competitive spirit and mission."
In addition to the demonstration team, the Golden Knights'
aircraft have also transported former President George Bush, actor
Chuck Norris, and golfer Tiger Woods.
"Each made their first jump with the US Army from one of our Twin
Otters," said Dill.
Viking owns the Type Certificates for the de Havilland Canada
DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-2 Beaver, DHC-2T Turbo Beaver, DHC-3 Otter,
DHC-4 Caribou, DHC-5 Buffalo, DHC-6 Twin Otter and DHC-7 DASH 7 and
has been providing all product support functions for the fleet
since May 2005. As ANN reported, the company
announced early last year the re-launch of Twin Otter production
program, after acquiring sufficient investment and customer
orders.
To date, the company counts over 40 firm orders and options for
the relaunched Twin Otter.