California-based Ikhana Aircraft Services has been awarded STC (reference No. 10069614) approval for its RWMI DHC-6-300HG Standard Commuter Category Increased MTOW to 6,350 kg by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

“With EASA's certification of our RWMI DHC-6-300HG upgrade, we are able to increase the market for operators following EASA regulations with expanded mission capabilities providing increased payload and/or range, additional value and new revenue opportunities,” says president and CEO John A Zublin. “EASA's STC validation helps operators with aircraft capabilities well beyond the DHC-6-300's original capability. The Standard Commuter Category STC provides a highly desired payload increase for the DHC-6-300 series Twin Otter to take 19 passengers with two crew and fly 450 to 500 nautical miles. EASA governed operators will now have more options for increased utility with a rapid return on their investment. Ikhana is pleased that we are able to continue growing our list of regulatory approvals to broaden availability of this option for operators around the world.”

The RWMI DHC-6-300HG STC increases the payload capabilities of the basic DHC-6-300 Twin Otter Series aircraft from MTOW 5,670 kg to 6,350 kg, providing an increase of 680 kg or 12 per cent overall. This represents a 31 per cent increase in payload based on an average empty weight of around 3,500 kg. Operations are allowed to the full 750 shaft horsepower of the PT6A-34 engines along with the improved efficiency and noise reduction of the Raisbeck/Hartzell four blade Scimitar propellers. Additional aerodynamic and structural enhancements complete the modifications. As a Standard Commuter Category STC, DHC-6-300 operators will be able to operate in revenue service without special purpose restrictions.

Ikhana Aircraft Services provides 'design - build - fly' solutions to the aerospace industry through the integration of new technologies, aircraft modifications, heavy maintenance, major repair and critical parts manufacturing. Headquartered at the French Valley Airport in Murrieta, California, Ikhana holds FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, and Fiji repair station approvals, FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), and is a Viking Air factory endorsed service centre. Ikhana has developed 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.