Viking’s Twin Otter 400 utility transport is making its LABACE debut in the form of an aircraft borrowed from a Peruvian mining company. The new-build aircraft is a thoroughly modernized version of de Havilland Canada’s classic, for which Viking acquired the type certification in 2005. It features uprated Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engines, fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics that significantly enhance safety, composite components, and around 800 other modifications to the original.

With exceptional short- and rough-field performance, the Twin Otter can be used in a wide variety of roles. This versatility suits it to operations in areas of the world where long runways are few and far between, such as sparsely populated regions, mountainous terrain, along the coast, and in island groups. Amphibious capability allows operators to conduct passenger services with up to 19 seats in many otherwise denied areas, and the twin-engine configuration has obvious safety benefits when operating over water or difficult terrain.

New Brazil Representative

Viking sees a healthy market for the Twin Otter 400 in Brazil, and during the LABACE show announced that Manaus-based MAP has been appointed as its sales representative. As well as its general appeal in the country, notably for operators in the Amazon region and to the burgeoning tourist industry along the northeast coast, the Twin Otter could benefit from an expected government initiative to increase air transport at a “sub-regional” level.

In the 1970s around 700 population centers had some form of air service, but that figure has now fallen to around 125. The launch of the government initiative has been delayed pending further discussion, but is expected to provide support to operators seeking to link outlying towns and cities, many of which have only small or ill-prepared runways with little or no infrastructure. The plan is also designed to make it easier to travel around the country without having to fly via the major centers such as São Paulo or Brasilia.

Elsewhere in Latin America, Viking is rolling out a network of sales representatives from a regional headquarters in Panama, offering local knowledge and expertise. In the last two months five representatives have been appointed, and more are to come. The company is receiving strong interest throughout Central and South America, as well as from the Caribbean countries. The sensor-equipped Twin Otter Guardian Viking derivative is also appealing to military and security agency customers, citing the aircraft’s low operating costs and long endurance for maritime surveillance and border patrol duties.