21 April 2023
The ‘stretched’ Kodiak 900 turboprop single that partners TBM in the Daher stable received its European type certification from EASA during AERO 2023.
The Kodiak 900 is a larger and faster version of the Kodiak 100 developed originally as a rugged humanitarian air lifter capable of short take-off and landing operations from rough strips.
The 900 received its US type certificate in 2022. Daher acquired Quest, the company behind the Kodiak, in 2019.
The Kodiak 900’s type certificate from EASA enables deliveries to begin in Europe, with the first handover to a European operator scheduled for later this year.
At AERO Marco Capaccio (left), Small Aircraft Section Manager at EASA, joins Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division, who is holding the Kodiak 900’s newly delivered type certificate
Nicolas Chabbert, head of Daher’s Aircraft Division, said, “With its higher cruise speed, excellent operating efficiency, enhanced climb performance and larger cabin, our Kodiak 900 meets the requirements of many customers who seek a faster aircraft and increased cargo capacity.”
Chabbert said there is significant European interest for missions ranging from air ambulance and firefighting support to skydiving and surveillance.
The Kodiak 900 has a fuselage length extension of 1.19 m (3.9 ft) over the 100 to provide more passenger room and cargo space. It has also benefitted from numerous aerodynamic updates to reduce drag such as new ducts, inlets, and air intakes. The cargo pod, an option on the Kodiak 100, has been aerodynamically refined and is standard equipment on the 900.
All this has increased the cruise speed to 210ktas and useful load while offering a range of 1,129nm. Daher also claims a 5% reduction in specific fuel consumption.
