The Icelandic Coastguard, facing growing threats to its environment and fishing grounds, is replacing its ageing Fokker F-27 with a specially modified Dash 8 Q300.

Georg Larusson, director general says: "Compared to the existing aircraft, the Dash 8 Q300 will offer significantly higher mission availability at a much lower operating cost. Its speed and endurance will shorten transit times and give more time on station and the Q300's proprietary Active Noise and Vibration Suppression system will provide a superior working environment for Iceland's coastguard crews."

Field Aviation is outfitting the aircraft with maritime search radar, side looking radar and an electro-optical/infrared pod. All sensors will feed into an integrated data handling system from L-3 Communications - Integrated Systems. An air-operable rear door will allow crews to paradrop personnel, deploy location flares, oil sampling buoys and larger items such as inflatable life rafts while on mission patrol.

Joar Gronlund, Field Aviation coo, says: "The aircraft is scheduled to be converted to the full Icelandic MSA configuration at our Toronto facility for completion in July 2009." To date, Field Aviation, based in Toronto, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta, has sales or options for 29 MSAs worldwide using the popular Dash 8 series aircraft. A total of 17 have been delivered to date.