Sandpoint, Idaho/Lakeland Florida, USA, April 9, 2024 – Daher’s Aircraft Division today announced the startup of increased production capacity for its Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900 multi-role utility aircraft at the company’s manufacturing and final assembly facility in Sandpoint, Idaho.
This Kodiak production evolution was detailed by Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division, during the company’s show-opening press conference at the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. He also provided the stepped-up production targets for Kodiak aircraft in 2024: an increase to 25, compared to the total of 18 during 2023.
Parallel production lines for the final assembly of Kodiak aircraft from Stage 3 to Stage 6 are now operational at Daher’s Sandpoint, Idaho production facility. On the left is the Kodiak 900’s final assembly line, while the build-up of Kodiak 100s are completed in a “mirrored” process on the building’s opposite side.
“Kodiak’s well-earned reputation as the legendary ‘go anywhere’ utility aircraft has been further enhanced since Daher’s 2019 acquisition of the product line, and its popularity continues to grow – with a current two-year order backlog,” Chabbert told reporters at the press conference. “The production enhancement announced today responds to the strong demand across the customer base – from private owners/operators to government agencies and special mission operators for applications such as wildfire suppression, environmental monitoring, law enforcement and medical evacuation.”
Sandpoint’s increased production capacity results from the addition of a second final assembly line that “mirrors” the build-up of Kodiaks once the basic airframe has been assembled. As a result, there now are separate, parallel integration steps for the Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900 from Stages 3 to 6, involving wing and horizontal stabilizer mating; flight controls integration and rigging; engine and avionics installation; first flight; interior outfitting, and customer delivery.
“These parallel assembly lines were developed using our internal resources, fully benefiting from support across the Sandpoint team,” explained Kerry Olson, Daher’s Director of Kodiak Operations and Site Leader at Sandpoint. “The parallel production came on-line ahead of schedule, which is another point of pride for everyone at the facility.”
The increased production capacity follows other improvements at Sandpoint implemented by Daher, notably the investment of $2.7 million in a 9,000-sq-ft. aircraft painting facility that streamlined the overall production process and further improved the build quality for Kodiak 100s and Kodiak 900s.
To date, a combined total of 330 Kodiak 100s and Kodiak 900s have been delivered to owners and operators worldwide. The most recent Kodiak 900 – the seventh to date – was received by a private owner in March.
Enhancements in the Kodiak product line under Daher’s ownership include the Kodiak 900 version, which was unveiled in 2022. Inheriting the cornerstone Kodiak 100’s remarkable qualities as a backcountry STOL (short takeoff and landing) multi-role airplane, the Kodiak 900 has a fuselage length extension of 3.9 feet to provide 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 nautical miles.
The Kodiak 100 has been improved as well, beginning with Daher’s 2021 introduction of the Series III version that provides greater cabin comfort, augmented operational capabilities from both unimproved strips and on water with floats, as well as upgraded quality and more comprehensive maintenance coverage. Additionally, Daher is now delivering new-production Kodiak 100s equipped with a five-blade Hartzell composite propeller – which also is offered for retrofit on in-service Kodiak 100s.
Other retrofits and upgrades for earlier-production Kodiak 100s – such as the G1000® NXi integrated flight deck retrofit with next-generation avionics technology – are offered by Daher to enhance operability and maintain aircraft resale value.
- Editors’ note: Daher has a major presence at this week’s SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. Daher’s Aircraft Division is continuing its traditional participation as a SUN ‘n FUN exhibitor, displaying a Kodiak 100 along with the fast, efficient TBM 960 on the company’s exhibit stand (#MD-022B). The Daher Group parent company is a key supporter at this year’s SUN ‘n FUN event, sponsoring the “Future ‘n Flight by Daher” Plaza, and participating in the Plaza’s Career Fair – where it is highlighting exciting employment opportunities at locations in Florida and across North America for the company’s aircraft manufacturing, logistics and industrial services.
About Daher –www.daher.com / www.tbm.aero / www.kodiak.aero
As an aircraft manufacturer, industrialist, industrial service provider and logistician, Daher today has approximately 13,000 employees for a revenue of 1.65 billion euros in 2023. With its family ownership, Daher has been focused on innovation since its creation in 1863. With locations in some 15 countries in Europe, North America and Asia, Daher designs and develops value-added solutions for its aeronautical and industrial customers and partners.
Daher’s Aircraft Division manufactures two families of single-engine turboprop airplanes: the very efficient pressurized TBM in Tarbes, France; and the Kodiak utility aircraft in Sandpoint, Idaho, USA.
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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.
Current TBM versions in production are the TBM 960, with Garmin’s G3000 integrated flight deck; and the TBM 910, equipped with the Garmin’s G1000 NXi avionics system controlled by a keypad. Both models offer increased automation and superior performance.
The Kodiak versions are unpressurized 8-10-seat airplanes equipped with Garmin’s G1000 NXi avionics. The Kodiak 100 series III is powered by a 750 shp. PT6A-135 engine, with the capability of operating on uneven and unimproved runways, as well as on water in the amphibious version. The Kodiak 900 has a longer fuselage 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. Both offer a unique combination of robust construction, STOL characteristics and remarkable useful load, well-suited for multi-mission operations such as surveillance, MEDEVAC, skydiving and more.
