The first float equipped Series 400 Twin Otter, MSN 848 the Viking Air factory from British Columbia has also been delivered to launch customer Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA). Press release from Paris Air Show.
The aircraft flew from the factory at Victoria International Airport on land gear to carry out the 16,000 kilometer ferry flight to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, before undergoing final installation of straight floats for commercial operation.
MSN 848 will join over 40 other legacy Twin Otters currently in operation in the region, and is the first float plane in the country to be outfitted with modern safety features considered “new” to the Maldives, all of which are standard equipment on the Series 400 Twin Otter.
These features include traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS I), cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, new cabin interior compliant with 2010 safety standards, warning systems for terrain avoidance (Class A TAWS) and take-off configuration advisory. The aircraft will also support the automatic dependant surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) in conjunction with the multilateral system recently installed in the Maldives Air Traffic Control center.
MSN 848, registered in the Maldives as 8Q-TMX, is the first of three Series 400 Twin Otters to be delivered to TMA, and was put into commercial operations earlier this month.
Mohamed Fahud, Flight Operations manager for TMA stated, “TMX is now the work horse of Trans Maldivian Airways. It has been accumulating lots of sectors and experiencing rough water conditions.”
He added, “I am pleased that the aircraft is performing very well and has been maintenance free.”
TMA’s second aircraft, MSN 849 has also been delivered and is being readied for service with the installation of straight floats. MSN 850, the third and final TMA aircraft on order is undergoing final certification and is expected to be ferried to the Maldives at the end of June.
The new Series 400 aircraft will be a welcome addition to TMA’s current fleet of 23 legacy Twin Otters, operating out of their own seaplane terminal at Male International Airport and used to service the many island atolls and resorts of the Maldives.
David Curtis, Viking president & CEO, commented “TMA has been a long time customer of Viking’s, and were instrumental at the Customer Steering Group to help shape and launch the Series 400 Program.”
Previous articels:
Viking upgrades successful seaplanes
Finalizing the certification process of the Viking Twin Otter 400
Suggested links:
Paris Air Show
Viking Air Company
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Best Regards,
Rubiyo WR
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