TWIN OTTER SERVICES 

Twin Otter Series 400 Full Flight Simulator Receives Level “D” Qualification from EASA and CAAC

First High-Altitude Training Course Delivered on Full Flight Simulator

Santiago, Chile – Today at the 2018 FIDAE Aerospace Exhibition, Pacific Sky Aviation announced that their Twin Otter Series 400 Full Flight Simulator has received Level “D” qualification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and is also now being used to provide customized high-altitude training for Viking Series 400 Twin Otter customers.

Michael Coughlin, CEO of Pacific Sky Aviation said, “We are proud to add EASA and CAAC Level ’D‘ qualifications to the Transport Canada certification received in December of 2017 for the Twin Otter. This reaffirms that the simulator meets the highest quality standard for Pilot Initial, Recurrent and Differences training.”

“The high-altitude training is particularly applicable to customers who operate in the Andes mountains. For these customers, Pacific Sky Aviation is able to offer courses using advanced geodetic technology in the simulator’s visual system,” Coughlin added. “Pacific Sky Aviation instructors are able to provide customers with the exact conditions from operating bases at altitudes of over 3,000 meters in order to evaluate the best approaches and departures given the terrain and aircraft performance. In 2017, the Peru Air Force were the first customer to receive this training and the results were very positive. The realism of this simulator training is quite impressive and will add to the safety margins of customer operations in this type of challenging operating environment.”

TRU Simulation+Training (TRU) of Montreal designed and manufactured the Level “D” Series 400 Twin Otter simulator, complete with seaplane capabilities. “TRU is proud to have collaborated with Pacific Sky throughout the entire development of the Twin Otter Series 400 FFS,” Said George Karam, Vice President and General Manager of TRU’s Air Transport Simulation division. “We are pleased to have the latest in TRU’s innovative technology recognized by global authorities and to continue providing a high-fidelity and realistic experience for Twin Otter Series 400 pilots the world over as we support this industry-first device.”

This simulator will also be the world’s first true Seaplane Trainer, using the same Level “D” capability to provide Twin Otter seaplane pilots with the opportunity to safely practice takeoffs and landings in a range of sea states, winds, and water conditions including glassy water. The seaplane configuration is expected to be ready for training later this year.

David Curtis, Viking President & CEO said, “We are excited that Pacific Sky Aviation has completed the final milestone of this important project and is now “Ready For Training” (RFT). This will allow them to provide state of the art training for Viking’s customers with diverse operating requirements on both wheeled and seaplane configurations of the Series 400 Twin Otter. Use of the simulator will enhance pilot proficiency, eliminate the inherent risk when using aircraft for training, and increase the overall level of safety for all Twin Otter Series 400 operators.”
 

About Pacific Sky Aviation Inc.:

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Pacific Sky Aviation’s two facilities located at the Calgary International Airport and the Victoria International Airport, where it provides Twin Otter flight training, Transport Canada approved flight training (FTU), Twin Otter Series 400 production testing, ferry delivery services, corporate flight operations and Aircraft Maintenance services (AMO).

About Viking Air Limited:

Headquartered in Victoria, BC, Viking is the global leader in utility aircraft services, and the manufacturer of the world-renowned Series 400 Twin Otter. Viking is the Original Type Certificate holder for all out-of-production de Havilland aircraft, DHC-1 through the DHC-7, and provides exclusive spare parts manufacturing and product support for the legacy de Havilland fleet. In 2007 Viking launched the Twin Otter Series 400 production program, and to date new Viking aircraft have sold to 30 countries worldwide.

In 2016, Viking acquired the Type Certificates (manufacturing rights) for the Canadair CL-215, CL-215T, and CL-415 aircraft. With this transfer, Viking assumed responsibility for all product support for the global fleet of 170 aerial firefighters.

Viking is managed by Longview Aviation Capital and forms part of the portfolio of a prominent Canadian family investment firm that maintains a long-term investment horizon and is one of the leading investors in the Canadian aviation industry. For additional information, please visit www.vikingair.com.

Media Contacts:
 

Michael Coughlin
Pacific Sky Aviation
+1-250-514-5380

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Angela Murray

Viking Air Ltd.

+1-250-656-7227

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