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Viking, PAL sign Twin Otter firefighting system contract

August 5, 2021  By Helicopters Staff


The photo is a mock-up of the DHC-6 Twin Otter Firefighter aircraft featuring the air tanker configuration. (Photo: CNW Group, PAL Aerospace Ltd.)

Viking Air Limited and PAL Aerospace Canada on August 3 announced the establishment of a contract to support the Twin Otter Fire Attack System. The agreement includes the design, manufacturing, installation and certification of the Aerial Firefighting System for the Twin Otter DHC-6 300 and 400 aircraft.

The companies anticipate that the Aerial Firefighting System will be certified in 2022 and that an international customer will receive the first converted aircraft. The airtanker-configured Twin Otter aircraft is being developed to drop up to 700 US gallons of water or retardant.

“As an established DHC-6 Twin Otter Operator, we know firsthand the capability and versatility of the aircraft and consider it a privilege to bring our comprehensive design, engineering and modification capabilities to bear in developing this new capability,” said Phillip Garbutt, Senior Vice President of Global Support, PAL Aerospace.

The companies explain the firefighting system will allow the Twin Otter to transition effortlessly between global firefighting missions and more traditional mission profiles, including transporting passengers and cargo.

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“We are happy to work with PAL Aerospace to provide our operators the ability to utilize our DHC-6 Twin Otter for specialized aerial firefighting missions,” said Benjamin Carson, Director of Customer Support Operations, Viking Air. “As the OEM, we work to continuously enhance the aircraft we support, providing our customers with ongoing fleet sustainment activities and upgrades.”

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