| Welcome to Adventist World Aviation Who We Are Infrastructure Future Projects Kodiak Campaign | Email | Print |
|
Type Certifications for the KODIAK
October 29, 2009, Sandpoint, ID…Quest Aircraft Company has received Canadian type certification for the Quest KODIAK. This follows the receipt of type certification from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and type acceptance certification from Indonesia in June.
“From the outset, we had planned on receiving numerous international certifications for the KODIAK,” said Paul Schaller, Quest Aircraft’s President and CEO.
“The airplane was purposely designed for the mission/humanitarian community, which by definition means extensive usage in the most remote regions around the world. Our customer base for other market segments is worldwide in nature as well.
“Canada is also a prime market for us, as the KODIAK is the perfect platform for a variety of mission profiles flown in remote areas,” Schaller continued. “With this certification in-hand, Canada now has a true solid replacement for the venerable Beaver.”
 |
|
The PNG certification was obtained in conjunction with JAARS, one of the Quest Mission Team (QMT) members. Their first KODIAK, s/n 008 (above), was delivered in January and is currently in-service operating in the most remote areas of PNG. Indonesian certification was achieved through the efforts of the FAA and Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), another QMT partner.
“With KODIAKs now entering service in different parts of the globe, we expect interest to continue to grow from a variety of markets”, added Schaller. “Our efforts on other foreign certifications are on-going and we will typically follow the lead of working with a QMT member or to take advantage of a commercial opportunity.”
Quest received full unrestricted production certification for the KODIAK on September 15. The production certificate allows Quest to streamline the production and delivery process over time, as they assume responsibility for inspections and coordinate changes with the FAA’s Seattle Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO). As the delivery schedule accelerates, more KODIAKs will be delivered for use outside the United States both for commercial users and mission/humanitarian organizations.
Quest Aircraft Company, LLC is the manufacturer of the KODIAK, a 10-place single engine turboprop utility airplane, designed for STOL use and float capability. Headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, Quest was established in 2001 and employs over 300 people. The company began customer deliveries of the KODIAK in December 2007.
Photos courtesy of JAARS, the air and communications support ministry serving Wycliffe Bible Translators.
