AIN Online, December 2, 2022: Daher has delivered the 300th Kodiak turboprop single, reaching the milestone some 11 years after the rugged multi-mission aircraft was introduced. Daher, which acquired the Kodiak program in 2019, said the delivery further underscores its commitment to the aircraft remaining a part of its future plans for its single-engine turboprop portfolio.
Designed initially to carry supplies and bring services to remote locations, the Kodiak now is in operation in a range of applications, from business and general aviation use to humanitarian, medical evacuation, utility, governmental, and special-mission roles. Kodiaks are in service in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and South America, and the global fleet has logged more than a combined 278,700 flight hours. The aircraft can take off from unprepared strips of 1,000 feet, can fly 1,132 nm, and has a loiter time of up to 10 hours.
“Every day around the world, Kodiak aircraft meet the mission: from delivering crucial aid in conflict zones to providing comfortable airlift for business and personal travel,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior v-p of Daher’s aircraft division and CEO of Kodiak Aircraft.
Since acquiring the Kodiak, Daher has been working to reinforce its worldwide service network and upgrade the aircraft as it joined Daher’s TBM series in its product line.
“This milestone delivery comes as the Kodiak program is on the rise following its acquisition by Daher in 2019,” said Mark Brown, Kodiak sales and marketing director and chief demo pilot. “Having been with Kodiak for eight years, the improvements made since 2019 in terms of manufacturing enhancements, production efficiencies, and the product support integration is remarkable.”
Daher launched the latest upgrade in March, the Kodiak 100 Series III, which incorporates safety, cabin, comfort, and operational improvements, along with fuller maintenance coverage. The improvements include the integration of Garmin’s GWX 75 Doppler-capable color weather radar, larger available tire sizes, and an increased landing weight of 7,255 pounds.
by Kerry Lynch
