Canadian company Viking Air and Moscow-based Vityaz Avia Corp. have signed a memorandum of understanding for the potential development of a final assembly facility in eastern Russia for the new Twin Otter 400.

Viking would establish quality, maintenance and training procedures and the facility would also potentially become a factory endorsed service center (FESC) and Series 400 training complex, once the type has been introduced in the territory. Viking Air launched the DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 production program in 2007.

Here at the Farnborough show yesterday, Viking received the Canadian type certificate for the new Twin Otter. The first example is being delivered to Zimex Aviation.

Viking Air has also entered into a multi-year agreement with Avtrak of Colorado, for the use of the Avtrak Globalnet platform to assist operators with their maintenance management needs. The program, known as Viking MX, will be managed by Aircraft Technical Liaison and Support (ATLAS), Viking’s customer support division.

The International Civil Aviation Organization, acting on behalf of the government of Argentina and the Argentine Aeronautic Administration (AAA), has awarded Viking Air the maintenance contract for overhaul of the second of eight DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 200 operated by the AAA. The work will be carried out at the Argentine air force base at Quilmes (Buenos Aires) and will encompass a heavy maintenance visit, including completion of C-check, installation of uprated engines and a new avionics suite, and incorporation of applicable Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins. Viking’s representatives will supervise, instruct and train Argentine air force personnel to carry out the work.