| First Viking DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter Takes Flight |
Mar. 02, 2010 |
 In advance of Transport Canada certification, the first new-production DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter has taken its initial flight from Viking’s final assembly facility in Calgary, Alberta.
Aircraft, manufacturers serial number (MSN) 845, Canadian registration C-FMJO is the first new production Twin Otter since de Havilland Canada ended production in 1988 with the delivery of MSN 844. Sold to launch customer Zimex Aviation of Switzerland, MSN 845 is equipped with Honeywell’s Apex IFR digital flight deck, including FDR & CVR and configured with a commuter interior, the aircraft is to be used throughout North Africa servicing the oil and gas industry.
Steve Stackhouse, Manager of Flight Operations, along with Viking President and CEO David Curtis, piloted the aircraft on the initial flight. “This is a significant milestone, not only for Viking and our entire team, but also for our many customers,” commented David Curtis. “Flying the first new Twin Otter in 22 years is the culmination of many months of hard work and determination by our staff and supply chain partners.” |
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| Global Hawk Makes 1st Roundtrip Flight |
Mar. 02, 2010 |
 Northrop Grumman Corporation's RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) made aviation history Feb. 2 when it successfully completed its first roundtrip flight from the company's Palmdale, Calif., manufacturing facility. AF-20, a Block 30 Global Hawk built for the U.S. Air Force, performed the historic mission, soaring at altitudes of 58,300 feet for approximately four hours and 18 minutes.
"This was the first time ever that the same Global Hawk has taken off and landed in a single mission from Palmdale, heralding a new era of flights in and out of the facility," said George Guerra, Northrop Grumman vice president of High-Altitude, Long-Endurance systems. "It's also a huge leap forward for the site as we achieve full production acceptance activities and direct deliveries to the aircraft's main operating base at Beale Air Force Base, Calif."
AF-20 is the eighth consecutive production Global Hawk to complete its operational check flight on the first attempt. The mission also marked the first time the sixth Air Force mission control element and a King Air chase aircraft were utilized.
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