Ikhana Aircraft Services received U.S. FAA approval for a 1,500-pound-mtow increase for the DHC-6-300 Twin Otter under standard commuter category operations. The Ikhana RWMI DHC-6-300HG supplemental type certificate increases the mtow of the Twin Otter from 12,500 pounds to 14,000 pounds, a 12 percent boost, and enables up to a 31 percent increase in payload based on average empty weight of 7,700 pounds, according to Ikhana.

“The FAA’s certification of our RWMI DHC-6-300HG upgrade adds significant capabilities for operators to expand their mission role, optimize payload and range, add value to their aircraft, and increase revenues,” said Ikhana president and CEO John Zublin. “This takes the aircraft well beyond its original capability.”

Ikhana previously has received FAA and Transport Canada approval for the mtow increase on the DHC-6-300 for restricted-category purposes under the RWMI DHC-6-300RG upgrade. But with RWMI DHC-6-300HG upgrade, carriers can fly the aircraft in revenue service without special-purpose restrictions. This enables carriers to carry 19 passengers with two crew and fly 450 to 500 nm.

The STC culminates an effort that has spanned several years. “This has been a long-term and intensive engineering effort for Ikhana and we are pleased that this long-awaited enhancement is now approved and available on the market,” Zublin added.