As Quest Aircraft has continued to expand the international reach for its Kodiak turboprop single, the Sandpoint, Idaho, company is turning its attention to the U.S., with a demonstration tour planned for a float-equipped Kodiak.
The nationwide tour of a Kodiak on Aerocet 6650 floats kicked off this week with a stop at its Midwest dealer Exclusive Aviation that continues through June 8. The aircraft heads next to Muncie Aviation, Quest’s dealer for the Mid-Atlantic, from June 10 to 12. Other stops include Canadian dealer Aviation Unlimited of Oshawa, Ontario, from June 14 to 16; Quest Factory Direct covering the Northeast from June 19 to 20; Banyan Aircraft Sales in the Southeast from June 22 to 23; Midcontinent Aviation Services in the Central region and Texas from June 25 to 27; and Quest Factory Direct for the Rocky Mountain region from June 28 to30.
Aerocet received supplemental type certification for the composite amphibious floats on the Kodiak in 2015. The floats eliminate the problems of corrosion and leaks inherent with aluminum. The float-equipped Kodiak is designed to take off in 1,658 feet at full gross weight and can climb out of remote lakes at 1,200 feet per minute.
The demo tour comes as Quest has also increased its international market for the Kodiak with the recent certification from EASA and new dealers in Central and South America. The aircraft is now approved in 50 countries.
Editor's note: Story is updated to reflect Aerocet obtained the STC for the floats on the Kodiak.