DHC-6 Twin Otter
de Havilland Canada · Canada · first flew 1965 · transport aircraft
A rugged high-wing twin turboprop, the Twin Otter is the definitive short take-off and landing utility aircraft for remote and island operations.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Boxy fuselage on fixed undercarriage (often floats or skis) |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High straight wing with two turboprops and bracing struts
- Boxy fuselage on fixed undercarriage (often floats or skis)
- Short-field STOL stance
A boxy, utilitarian fuselage hangs beneath a high braced straight wing carrying two turboprops, all on fixed landing gear. Its slab-sided look and STOL proportions set it apart from sleeker regional turboprops like the ATR.
Specifications
- The DHC-6 Twin Otter has a length of 15.77 m (52 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.81 m (65 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 338 km/h (210 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 or 2 pilots.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
De Havilland Canada first flew the DHC-6 in 1965 as a twin-engined STOL transport able to use tiny, rough strips. Its reliability and short-field ability made it a bush-flying legend worldwide. Production restarted in the 2010s as the Viking Twin Otter Series 400.
Variants
The early Series 100 and 200 gave way to the longer-nosed Series 300, and then the modern Series 400 with a glass cockpit. The type can be fitted with wheels, floats, skis or tundra tyres.
Where you'll see it
In UK skies the Twin Otter is famous for Loganair's spectacular scheduled service to Barra in the Hebrides, the only airport in the world using a tidal beach as its runway. It also serves other Scottish island and commuter routes.
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