With a thriving business in extending the life of the venerable DHC-6 Twin Otter, Ikhana Aircraft Services (Booth No. 4827) recently announced another expansion of its production facility at French Valley Airport in Murrieta, Calif. A third hangar with more than 12,000 square feet is expected to be ready for occupancy in the first week of November this year, expanding the total footprint to 55,000 square feet.

“Building the third hangar reflects our commitment to serving our customers’ needs and will create up to twenty new jobs,” said president and CEO John Zubin.

Ikhana Aircraft provides “design, build, fly” solutions through aircraft modifications, heavy maintenance and major repair and critical parts manufacture. The company is focused primarily on the DHC-6 Twin Otter (-100, -200 and -300), from a less extensive Re-Life program to a complete re-manufacture process that takes the airplane back to zero-time structural fatigue.

The complete re-manufacture of the aircraft includes such options as increased max takeoff weight through the addition of more powerful PT6 engines, enhanced air conditioning, executive cabin amenities, cargo handling, camera hatches and maritime patrol systems. The fully equipped variant is known as the Twin Otter X2. The Vistaliner will feature larger passenger windows.

Ikhana is a Viking Air factory-endorsed service center (Viking is the owner of the DHC-6 type certificate) and holds FAA, Transport Canada, EASA and ANAC repair station approvals, as well as FAA parts manufacturer approval.