DeHavilland Canada Twin Otter
Turboprop • twin engine • High Wing • Fixed gear
Range Visualization
Origin: · click map to move · nm at current load
Payload vs. Range
Customize assumptions
Default: 190 lbs (FAA standard)
Default: 30 lbs
Mission Profile
- High-Performance
- Multi-Engine
About the DeHavilland Canada Twin Otter
Overview
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a legendary STOL utility aircraft capable of operating from unprepared strips, water, and snow. Originally developed by de Havilland Canada and later revitalized by Viking Air, it is the global standard for remote operations and skydiving.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- STOL Performance: Capable of clearing a 50 ft obstacle in just 1,200 ft, allowing access to virtually any clearing or short strip.
- Versatility: Can be equipped with standard wheels, tundra tires, skis, or amphibious floats without structural modification.
- Rugged Systems: Fixed landing gear and simple mechanical systems ensure high dispatch reliability in extreme environments.
Trade-offs
- Cruise Speed: With a typical cruise of 150-170 knots, it is significantly slower than pressurized commuters like the Beech 1900 or Metro.
- Unpressurized: Limits comfortable cruising altitudes to below 10,000 ft for passengers, though it has a 25,000 ft ceiling for specialized missions.
See Also
Technical Specifications
Dimensions
- Wingspan
- 65.0 ft
- Length
- 51.8 ft
- Height
- 19.5 ft
- Parking area (ft2)
- 4260.0 ft2
Weights
- Max Takeoff Weight
- 12,500 lbs
- Max Landing Weight
- 12,300 lbs
- Useful Load
- 4,400 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- 375 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- 170 KTAS
- Never-Exceed (Vne)
- 170 KIAS
- Max Structural Cruise (Vno)
- 160 KIAS
- Approach Speed
- 80 KIAS
- Stall, Clean (Vs1)
- 58 KIAS
- Range
- 775 NM
- Service Ceiling
- 25,000 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 1600 fpm
- Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle
- 1,200 ft
- Landing ground roll
- 1,050 ft
Similar to the DeHavilland Canada Twin Otter
BAe Jetstream super 31
Beech 1900/C-12J
Cessna 408 SkyCourier
See how the DeHavilland Canada Twin Otter stacks up against similar aircraft
External Media
Videos
Other Links
-
Official De Havilland Canada: Twin Otter Series 400 Product Page dehavilland.com
-
Twin Otter Classic 300-G: Modern Tech, Classic Ruggedness dehavilland.com
-
Hangar Flight Museum: Historical Evolution of the DHC-6 thehangarmuseum.ca
-
Aerospace Global News: Marking the 1,000th Twin Otter Built aerospaceglobalnews.com
-
NOAA Aircraft Operations: Mission Profile of the DHC-6-300 www.omao.noaa.gov
-
Ownership Modeling: Operating Costs and Fixed Expenses for the DHC-6 www.aircraftcostcalculator.com