Sandpoint, Idaho: August 24, 2023 – Backcountry airfields are valuable resources for everything from outdoor adventures to serving agencies/organizations that protect the environment, and Daher is continuing its support for such remote sites with deliveries of critical care defibrillators across the state of Idaho using company-built Kodiak 100 aircraft.
In coordination with the Backcountry Aviation Defibrillator Project, Daher provided two Kodiak 100s – along with pilots, fuel and logistics assistance – to deploy the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at four airstrips, with one of these AED units sponsored by Daher.
Using the Kodiak’s exceptional short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, the flights were performed to Cavanaugh Bay (66S) in northern Idaho, not far from Daher’s Kodiak production site at Sandpoint; to Big Creek (U60) and Johnson Creek (3U2) in the state’s central portion; and to Smiley Creek (U87) in south-central Idaho.
“At Daher, our philosophy is: ‘We support those who care for aviation,’ and the Backcountry Aviation Defibrillator Project flights are a continuation of this commitment,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division and CEO of Kodiak Aircraft, who piloted one of the defibrillator delivery missions.
Chabbert said this month’s flights are the perfect complement to Daher’s ongoing support of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, for which it recently utilized a Kodiak to airlift U.S. Forest Service personnel and equipment into two isolated grass strips in the mountains of southeastern Idaho.
Daher builds the Kodiak 100 and the new, larger Kodiak 900, at Sandpoint – with both of these aircraft versions proven in their multi-role capabilities that bring together STOL performance with a large cabin and significant payload capacity.
Sam Perez, the Backcountry Aviation Defibrillator Project’s organizer, recognized Daher for its support with these Kodiak 100 flights. “The Idaho Aviation Association is exceptionally grateful for Daher’s generosity and support of our mission to install these lifesaving defibrillators in Idaho’s remote backcountry airstrips,” he said. “We could not have done so without the help of Daher and our many donors who helped pay for defibrillator units. Now, aviators and general aviation enthusiasts who use these remote airstrips will have a fighting chance should a cardiovascular event occur.”
According to technical advisor Sam Sandifer, the project’s goal is to position AEDs at high-traffic remote airstrips by deploying ZOLL 3 units that communicate via Wi-Fi to display their operational status. In the future, the defibrillators are expected to broadcast their availability and status using flight planning applications. AEDs are acquired through donations to The Gem State Aviation Fund, a 501(c) (3) corporation that promotes aviation-related charitable and educational activities, primarily within the state of Idaho.
In addition to the Daher-sponsored defibrillator that was installed at Cavanaugh Bay during the Kodiak 100 deployment flights, the other AEDs delivered were donated by: Lynn and Shirley McCullough (owners of a Daher TBM 910) at Big Creek; Dr. Jon Berman (at Smiley Creek); and Rick Bosshardt (for Johnson Creek).
- Backcountry Defibrillator Project website: https://backcountrydefib.wordpress.com/
- Daher Kodiak website: www.kodiak.aero
Daher media contacts: Jeffrey Lenorovitz
Daher Vice President – Communications
e-mail: j.lenorovitz@daher.com
U.S. mobile telephone: +1 703 615-3646
Int’l mobile telephone: +33 (0)6 80 85 86 25
Philippe de Segovia
Daher’s Aircraft Division
e-mail: p.de-segovia@daher.com
Tel: +33 (0)6 70 21 70 47
Additional photos for Daher and the Backcountry Aviation Defibrillator Project
About Daher’s aircraft product line – www.kodiak.aero / www.tbm.aero
Daher manufactures two families of single-engine turboprop airplanes: the Kodiak utility aircraft in Sandpoint, Idaho, USA, and the very efficient pressurized TBM in Tarbes, France.
The Kodiak 100 Series III is an unpressurized 8-10-seat airplane equipped with Garmin’s G1000 NXi avionics, capable of operating on uneven and unimproved runways, or on water in the amphibious version. Its unique combination of robust construction and remarkable 3,530 lb. useful load has resulted in many additional applications for the Kodiak, including special missions, medevac, as a skydiving platform and more.
Daher introduced the larger Kodiak 900 version in 2022, featuring a fuselage length extension of 3.9 feet for more passenger room and cargo space, a cruise speed increase to 210 KTAS, and a greater useful load while offering a maximum range of 1,129 nm.
Current TBM models in production are the TBM 910, equipped with Garmin’s G1000 Nxi avionics system, controlled by a keypad; and the TBM 960, featuring Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6E-66XT engine and a dual-channel digital Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System (EPECS), an autothrottle, Garmin’s G3000 avionics with touchscreen controller, and the HomeSafe™ emergency autoland system. Both models offer increased automation and superior performance.
As of June 15, 2023, a total of 330 Kodiak and 1,150 TBM aircraft had been delivered to international owners and operators, with the global fleet accumulating some 3 million flight hours.
