De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
| DHC-6 Twin Otter | |
|---|---|
| Winair DHC-6 Twin Otter landing at Gustaf III Airport | |
| General information | |
| Type | Utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | de Havilland Canada Viking Air |
| Status | In production |
| Number built | December 2019: 994 (844 DHC, 150 Viking) |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1965–1988 (Series 100–300) 2008–present (Series 400) 2023–present (Series 300-G) |
| Introduction date | 1966 |
| First flight | 20 May 1965 |
| Developed from | de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter |
The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada in the mid-1960s and still in production today. Built by De Havilland Canada from 1965 to 1988, Viking Air purchased the type certificate and restarted production in 2008, before re-adopting the DHC name in 2022. In 2023, DHC started production of the 300-G, an upgraded version of the Series 400 with Garmin avionics.
The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL capabilities, twin turboprop engines and high rate of climb have made it a successful commuter airliner, typically seating 18–20 passengers, as well as a cargo and medical evacuation aircraft. In addition, the Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations, and is used by the United States Army Parachute Team and the 98th Flying Training Squadron of the United States Air Force.