IKHANA Aircraft Services, (IKHANA) announces that Rampart Aviation, LLC (“Rampart”) has taken on-time delivery of the first Commuter Category RWMI DHC-6-300HG™ STC, which supports operations at 14,000 lbs. MTOW. The payload increase gives Rampart a competitive advantage over other airplanes and allows it to compete on routes that used to be serviced by other aircraft. According to Rampart Chief Pilot Scott Tripp:
“The airplane performs very well with the payload increase. Our specific mission parameters require an aircraft that can provide maximum payload with the capability to operate safely out of a variety of airfields and during all weather conditions. The IKHANA DHC-6-300HG™ fits that bill perfectly. IKHANA delivered the aircraft ahead of schedule and it has performed flawlessly during the very aggressive testing and training phase of its employment. The aircraft was just used as the vehicle to receive an FAA Check Airman designation for myself and the first approval for full passenger transportation services in the 19-seat configuration. I can’t say enough about the capabilities of the 300HG™. I look forward to adding more of these workhorses to our fleet in the very near future.”
President and CEO of IKHANA, Mr. John A. Zublin stated:
An initial group of four (4) pilots have successfully completed type training and have received their FAA approved type rating to operate aircraft equipped with IKHANA’s RWMI DHC-6-300HG™ Commuter Category STC at 14,000 lbs. MTOW. This payload increase provides a capability that is unmatched by any other aircraft in its class. As we started taking orders for the upgrade, we established our DHC-6-300HG™ type rating class program to efficiently and quickly bring customers online. The training program integrates classroom instruction with hands-on use of a DHC-6-300HG™ aircraft to implement group type ratings in a short time period.”
The RWMI DHC-6-300HG™ STC increases the payload capabilities of the basic DHC-6-300 and, potentially, DHC-6-400 Twin Otter Series aircraft from 12,500 lbs. (5670 Kg) to 14,000 lbs. (6350 Kg) MTOW. As a Standard and Passenger Commuter Category STC with both FAA and EASA approvals, the DHC-6 Series 300 aircraft can be approved to operate in revenue service without special purpose restrictions. By contrast IKHANA’s other RWMI DHC-6-300RG™/-400RG™ STC is limited to special missions operations, constraining operators from carrying passengers for revenue service.
IKHANA has been a key provider of enhancements for the worldwide DHC-6 Twin Otter fleet with products including the RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Wing Box™, RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Fuselage™, RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Flight Controls™, RWMI DHC-6 Re-Life Nacelles™, RWMI DHC-6-200HG™ (allowing DHC-6- 100 and 200 series to operate at 12,500 lbs.), enhanced air conditioning, upgraded avionics, VIP amenities, cargo handling, camera hatches, and integration of surveillance/patrol systems. IKHANA’s modifications support a variety of customers in executive transport, regional/commuter airlines, and special missions operations.
IKHANA Aircraft Services, a DBA of IKHANA Group Inc., provides DESIGN – BUILD – FLY solutions to the aerospace industry through integration of new technologies, aircraft modifications, heavy maintenance, major repair, and critical parts manufacturing. Headquartered at the French Valley Airport (F70) in Murrieta, California, IKHANA holds FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, and Fiji repair station approvals, FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA). IKHANA has a proven reputation for developing unique engineered solutions across a wide variety of aircraft platforms and diverse customer base including extensive experience in the DHC-6 Twin Otter, King Air, and Gulfstream airframes.
Rampart Aviation LLC is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), FAA Part 135 and DoD Commercial Airlift Review Board (CARB) certified company that conducts operational, maintenance, and aviation training support across the U.S. and internationally, 24/7, 365 days per year. Rampart provides specialized, comprehensive and diverse experience that allows the entire Rampart team to quickly and efficiently meet customer-unique aviation support requirements worldwide. Operations are based in Colorado Springs, CO and a private airport facility in North Raleigh, NC. Rampart aircraft are operated and maintained to the highest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or Department of Defense (DoD) standards with highly experienced flight crews supporting special capabilities that include Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) flight operations. Rampart’s staff is comprised of industry experts with certified formal training as well as numerous years of first-hand experience across the aviation services and business spectrums.