Transport Canada has issued Supplemental Type Approval SA08-17 to Viking Air for the installation of the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 or PT6A-35 turboprop engine on the DHC-3 Otter, approved to FAR Part 23, Amendments 23-1 through 23-55.
The original de Havilland factory Otter’s Pratt & Whitney Wasp R-1340 engine is now replaced with the higher 750 horsepower turbine engine with Hartzell 3-blade full feathering reversible propeller. In addition to the new engine and prop configuration, the modification encompasses improvements to design with new composite cowls, incorporation of a gross weight increase to 9000 lb, optional panoramic windows and optional extended range fuel tank. The modification involved an update to virtually every major system of the aircraft.
The Viking Turbo Otter is approved for operation on wheels, skis, amphibious or straight floats, under both day and night VFR and IFR conditions. The increased horsepower and higher useful load will improve upon the versatility and reliability of an airframe already popular amongst operators due to its robust design and performance capabilities.
“Our engineering and modification team have worked tirelessly over many years to design and certify a true turboprop aircraft with the useful load, range and modern systems one would expect from an aircraft certified in 2009,” commented David Curtis, Viking president and CEO. “This isn’t a piston aircraft masquerading as a turboprop, but a purpose built turbine aircraft that is rugged, useful and ready to serve in multiple roles around the world and certified to the latest FAR23 standards.
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