What can replace the Twin Otter?

[AKa]

Keeping the existing fleet operating is increasingly problematic. The OEM doesn't even make many of the required parts any more and we don't require them in sufficient quantity to generate large purchase orders. So we pay through the nose and the vendors are not highly motivated to meet timelines. The workload to support these aircraft is ridiculously out of proportion to the size of the remaining fleet.

It's a testament to the dedication of the maintainers and the procurement specialists that these birds are still in the air at all.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I got lambasted in a FB group for suggesting that instead of spending money to replace major components, that we should replace the existing aircraft with new ones while the production line is open (and in Canada), rather than extending the life of 51 year aircraft to the point where their to unsafe to fly and the production line is closed.

 

[calculus]

The Cessna Sky Courier might be a good option. It's a new aircraft, so efficiency and safety are improved. It appears to match or exceed the specs of the Twin Otter. Also, it uses P&WC engines, so a) there is some Canadian content, and b) those engines are proven cold weather performers.

Cessna SkyCourier (Freighter) Turboprop | Textron Aviation

Meet the FAA Certified Cessna SkyCourier aircraft. A single-pilot, large utility turboprop designed for low-cost maintenance and high return on investment.

cessna.txtav.com

Cessna SkyCourier (Passenger)

The FAA CERTIFIED CESSNA SKYCOURIER aircraft. A 19 seat, twin-engine aircraft designed for performance, reliability and maximizing your revenue.

cessna.txtav.com

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Viking put on hold most of their production of new aircraft, due to Covid and the impacts on airlines. However they said they be ready to restart Twin Otter production in 2025.

 

[Troopasaurus]

Twin Otter Takeoff Distance : 1,200 ft (366m)
Cessna Sky Courier Takeoff Distance : 3,660 ft (1,116 m)
CC-295 has a Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 3,363 ft (1,025 m)

Bit of a difference there in an important aspect of remote access.

 

[CBH99]

Twin Otter Takeoff Distance : 1,200 ft (366m)
Cessna Sky Courier Takeoff Distance : 3,660 ft (1,116 m)
CC-295 has a Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 3,363 ft (1,025 m)

Bit of a difference there in an important aspect of remote access.

CC-295 - is that a typo?

Takeoff distance of only 15m?

Or was that supposed to be 150m?

 

[GR66]

CC-295 - is that a typo?

Takeoff distance of only 15m?

Or was that supposed to be 150m?

That's the take-off distance (3,363'/1,025m) required to get to an altitude of 15m (49').

 

[CBH99]

I got lambasted in a FB group for suggesting that instead of spending money to replace major components, that we should replace the existing aircraft with new ones while the production line is open (and in Canada), rather than extending the life of 51 year aircraft to the point where their to unsafe to fly and the production line is closed.

Who lambasted you for that suggestion? Man people are dumb...

Your suggestion is rooted in just plain common sense. Build new aircraft rather than extend the life of 50yo aircraft.

Have them built here while the production line is here and open, and put PW(C) engines on them (also made in Canada)



The price difference between extending the life of the used planes & buying new planes is negligible.

And since 4 aircraft doesn't provide enough capacity to support most taskings, we could even buy a whopping 8 aircraft to double our capacity. (And it would still be dirt cheap!)


__________


I know people are going to say "Well who's gonna fly them? We don't have enough pilots as it is!"

Maybe we contract some pilots at first?

Maybe we expand our training Cadre to include some additional slots?

Maybe we let Air Reserve pilots fly them?

Who knows, don't care... planes are useless without pilots but pilots aren't all that useful without planes.

At least this way half the problem gets solved.

 

[YZT580]

While you are dreaming, why not build new Buffalos with the DH6 cockpit. Viking probably has templates and plans for a pressurized version that would supplant the 295 and satisfy our needs in the north to boot. Buy about 24 of them to make it worthwhile.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Twin Otter Takeoff Distance : 1,200 ft (366m)
Cessna Sky Courier Takeoff Distance : 3,660 ft (1,116 m)
CC-295 has a Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 3,363 ft (1,025 m)

Bit of a difference there in an important aspect of remote access.

There are always trade offs with vessels and aircraft, get more of one thing, lose more of another.

 

[calculus]

Twin Otter Takeoff Distance : 1,200 ft (366m)
Cessna Sky Courier Takeoff Distance : 3,660 ft (1,116 m)
CC-295 has a Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 3,363 ft (1,025 m)

Bit of a difference there in an important aspect of remote access.

Very good point. I noticed however that the maximum payload of the Sky Courier (5000 lbs) is considerably more than a 300 series Twin Otter (which seems to be somewhere around 2500-3000 lbs, from what I can find publicly), so presumably with a similar payload, take off distance of the Sky Courier would be less than 3660 feet. Perhaps it is not as big a difference as it seems at first glance?

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Actual cargo weights in your bush plane are educated guessimates and if there is free space, it's hard to resist the urge to put more "light stuff" in.

 

[lenaitch]

The Twin Otter has pretty tall landing gear and clearances for tundra tires and is quite suitable for rough ground and less-than-ideal landing areas. The Cessna and 295 do not. I assume that is operationally significant.

 

[daftandbarmy]

The Twin Otter has pretty tall landing gear and clearances for tundra tires and is quite suitable for rough ground and less-than-ideal landing areas. The Cessna and 295 do not. I assume that is operationally significant.

Or a nice, smooth lake surface....

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Doesn't matter until we get a new government. After the F35 buy, I doubt whether His Nibs will spend another nickle on the CAF.

 

[don3wing]

Viking put on hold most of their production of new aircraft, due to Covid and the impacts on airlines. However they said they be ready to restart Twin Otter production in 2025.

Colin, I think the twin otters are in production now as they are currently being sold.

News Release | De Havilland

dehavilland.com

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Takeoff - 2.5 feet
Landing - 16.5 feet


As a guy that used to pack and install drag chutes, these things amaze me

STOL

 

[lenaitch]

Or a nice, smooth lake surface....

Yup. Spent a few years in N/W Ontario around an array of DeHaviland equipment, Otter, Beaver, turbo Beaver, Twin Otter (plus an assortment of Cessnas, Beech 18s, Norsemans, etc.) on floats and wheel/skis. I was always amazed at what the DH equipment could do

 

[Good2Golf]

Doesn't matter until we get a new government. After the F35 buy, I doubt whether His Nibs will spend another nickle on the CAF.

He’ll keep buying what Uncle Sam tells him to buy.

 

[ArmyRick]

He’ll keep buying what Uncle Sam tells him to buy.

Well if thats the case, hopefully dementia joe keeps up his meds.