Which US Operators Fly The Most De Havilland Canada DHC-6 ‘Twin Otter’ Plane?

The DHC-6 Twin Otter has served an important area of interest in industrial aviation for many years. Operators like it, and for a superb purpose, it’s a stable, dependable platform to move cargo and passengers alike. So, which firms proceed to function many of those venerable plane?

The historical past of the DHC-6

The De Havilland Canada (DHC) DHC-6 Twin Otter was designed and constructed by De Havilland Canada in response to a necessity for a dependable and versatile utility plane that might function in distant and difficult environments. The Twin Otter was first launched in 1965 and rapidly gained a status as a workhorse plane that might carry out a variety of missions.

Twin Otter Worldwide

Twin Otter Worldwide (TOI) is an organization primarily based in British Columbia, Canada, that operates a fleet of Twin Otter plane used primarily for industrial operations, together with constitution flights, sightseeing excursions, and aerial surveys. The corporate’s fleet of 17 Twin Otters consists of a number of variants of the plane, every with its distinctive capabilities and options.

One of many main variants TOI makes use of is the DHC-6 Collection 400 Twin Otter, a modernized model of the traditional Twin Otter design. The Collection 400 contains a vary of enhancements over the unique design, together with a extra highly effective engine, superior avionics, and improved gas effectivity. The plane is well-suited to numerous industrial functions and is usually used for transportation, cargo hauling, and aerial surveys. TOI additionally operates a number of different Twin Otter variants, together with the DHC-6-300, an earlier model of the plane nonetheless in widespread use immediately.

Grand Canyon Airways

Grand Canyon Airways makes a speciality of sightseeing excursions of the Grand Canyon Nationwide Park and surrounding areas. The airline is predicated in Tusayan, Arizona, and has been in operation since 1927, making it one of many oldest air tour firms on this planet. Grand Canyon Airways operates a fleet of 13 De Havilland Canada DHC-6s. Twelve are -200 fashions and one -300 Twin Otter.

Skydive Arizona

Skydive Arizona is likely one of the largest skydiving facilities on this planet, positioned in Eloy, Arizona, USA. The corporate operates a big and various fleet of plane to help its skydiving operations. The fleet consists of a number of plane varieties, together with 5 -200s and one -100. These Otters have specialised modifications and seating preparations to accommodate skydivers and their tools. The DH6’s highly effective engine, quick climb charge, and spacious cabin make it a really perfect platform for skydiving.

Along with the Caravan and Twin Otter, Skydive Arizona additionally operates a number of different plane, together with the Beechcraft King Air, which is used primarily for high-altitude skydiving, and the Tremendous Otter, a modified model of the Twin Otter that gives elevated efficiency and capability.

United States Military

The US Military has operated the DHC-6 Twin Otter primarily for utility and transport missions supporting particular operations forces. The Twin Otter’s capacity to function from brief and unpaved runways makes it a precious asset for navy operations in distant and austere environments.

In recent times, the US Military has been transitioning to a brand new fleet of fixed-wing plane, together with the Beechcraft King Air and C-12 Huron, higher suited to the Military’s evolving mission necessities. Nonetheless, some US Military models nonetheless function legacy plane, such because the DHC-6 Twin Otter, on a restricted foundation for particular specialised missions or coaching workout routines. Present information point out that this navy department operates 6 Twin Otters.

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