Economic and Dependable

The Viking Twin Otter Series 400, built by Viking Air in Canada, has sold over 100 aircraft to 32 operators in 25 countries. 844 of the earlier Twin Otter Series were built and over 425 are still in operation. The first new 400 Series was delivered in 2010 and since 2012 the aircraft has captured over 55 per cent of the twin-engine 19-seat/utility aircraft market.

The aircraft is certificated in 25 countries. Indian certification will follow with the first sale of the new Series 400 in country.

The biggest market for the Twin Otter Series 400 is in the Asia-Pacific region with over 30 per cent of sales. The biggest Twin Otter operator in the world serves the Maldives with a seaplane fleet close to 50 aircraft. Twin Otters have operated by various airlines in Nepal for almost 50 years serving various towns in the Himalayan region.

The secret to the Twin Otter success is its versatility and ruggedness and its short take-off and landing (STOL) performance. The Twin Otter can operate from land or water, utilising a variety of gear types such as floats, skis and tundra type tyres. With its 19-seat cabin, it is used by various airlines to serve remote locations with short runways. Airlines such as Malaysian Airwings and Air Seychelles use the aircraft as an economical feeder both on land and sea. In addition, Special Mission operators use the aircraft for surveillance and inspection; governments and relief organisations use it for essential services to remote regions; oil and gas companies use it for transporting people and equipment to sites with small or rough landing areas; sky diving clubs all over the world consider the aircraft top of line and many high net worth individuals use it for ‘last mile’ transportation to private homes or resorts.

In India, the Twin Otter is very well suited for regional connectivity. Utilising a lot of the existing smaller airfields, it can provide airline service to remote locations throughout India. The amphibious version of the Twin Otter can provide service to islands off the coast of India. The Series 400 Twin Otter is a very versatile aircraft. It is reliable, rugged, easy to maintain and it can very efficiently serve both the private and government sectors in India.

While older models of Twin Otters have been used in India in the past, JetHQ’s goal is to promote the versatility of the new Series 400 Twin Otter for regional airline use as well as various special missions.

Ted Farid joined JetHQ in 2014 as the company’s first Chairman. Farid has 48 years of global aviation leadership experience from some of the world’s leading OEMs including Cessna, Learjet and most recently Beechcraft. His experience brings sophisticated expertise and extensive global relationships to JetHQ clients.

Ted Farid started with Cessna in 1967 as a structural engineer and moved into sales and marketing for the Citation jet division in 1974. Farid held various senior leadership roles in special missions and commercial sales, eventually heading all international sales for Citation jets. During his tenure, he sold the first Citation into China in 1979. Ted Farid then moved to Learjet to run global sales and marketing for the iconic brand. He started the week the company was acquired by Bombardier and held the position until 1996 when he joined Raytheon Aircraft as Vice President, Special Mission sales. Over the past 18 years he has held various senior leadership positions in domestic and international sales for the company through its incarnations as Raytheon, Hawker Beechcraft and Beechcraft until his retirement earlier this year. Farid, will be based out of Wichita, Kansas, to maintain his close relationships with the OEMs in the US and better support our clients.