OTTER NEWS 2007
News
Archives Dec 05 – June 2006 | June – December 2006
2003 | 2004
| 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU OTTER HOUNDS AND A HAPPY
NEW YEAR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December |
3 |
Rich Hulina has sent in a couple of shots of
NWX taken on the 23rd November. Rich says that there “hasn't been
an Otter operating during the winter in Sioux Lookout for several years,
nice to see.!” Thanks Rich. Hope the season went well. [C-FNWX] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28 |
Michael St Amands writes:- The picture of the month, Otter C-FODJ is the
aircraft that I remember passing over my house when I lived in the I liked the ident so when I got my amateur
radio license, I applied for the call sign VE3ODJ. I haven't heard the sound of a standard Otter
for a long time as there aren't any in the area where I live now and I miss
it. I really don't like the modification to the larger engine as it spoils
the look and sound of the original aircraft.
I would rather have seen it converted to turbine. Michael St. Amand VE3ODJ Good story Michael – That’s the sign of a
true Otter Hound. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26 |
Fred Barnes and Ray Turner have just returned
from a trip to see the polar bears in Churchill. By all accounts they had a
great time with the bears and some unexpected aviation surprises too. They
flew Winnipeg/Churchill in CV580 C-GKFP and returned in C-FTAP. In their
spare time from the tour they made a short visit to Selkirk and were
surprised at the number of floatplanes parked for the winter. (see attached list) They also called briefly into Gimli to see the
C-46s of FNT and their tour guide stopped at the 'Miss Piggy' wreck in
Churchill so they saw THREE C-46s! Lucky chaps. An excellent trip by the
sounds of it and its good to see the ‘Otter Hounds’ are still searching out
the far flung reaches of the planet for the venerable DHC-3 (and others).
Very many thanks guys. And for your further delectation here are
Freds’ Otter photos from the trip [SET 1]
[SET 2] Given his intrepid long distance adventures
for all our benefit Fred’s shot of C-FODJ (14) makes this months Shot of the Month. So nice to see
that one of the longest lived Otters still retains its’ ‘round engined’
appearance after all these years. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November |
03 |
John
Gryba from Robert
Shaw has circulated a number of Otter shots
as follows:- N565TA
(46) of Talkeetna Air Taxi N929KT
(461) of N2899J
(425) of Rusts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 |
John Olafson reports:- I thought you might like these shots I took last month when I
was at Vancouver South. The Harbour Air Otters keep very busy every day. It
was nice to see Whistler Air there as well. Nothing new to report from N342AK is in the hangar, stripped of its
engine, interior, paint and it is receiving some new skin. C-FMAU is also in
the hangar with some interior work taking place. It will probably be
returning to Best regards, John Olafson. Many thanks John. That Whistler Air colour
scheme is really something. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October |
12 |
Peter Damon has sent in a picture of VH-OTV (250) taken in And King Beaver Neil Aird (he of www.dhc-2.com) forwarded a fine shot of C-FLAP (289) by Robert Poirier taken
10/09/2007 at Then, no sooner had C-FLAP been received than
Robert himself kindly sent through another set from the same trip. Looks like
you had a great trip Robert. [HERE] John O’ reports that two more Otters are coming home to C-FJHA c/n 363 C-GHAG c/n 214 John says “maybe they are ramping up capacity in anticipation of heavy
pax volumes during 2010 Olympics”. Nice Thought John. Can you imagine what |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
Michal Giroux has sent through a set of shots
taken by him which cover a number of interesting
aircraft. Thanks Michal. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 |
John Olafson reports from It was around 11 months ago that N93356 came
to The answer came on Aug 25th when Bobby Bishop
of Texas Turbines came up and conducted test runs of the engine, followed by
some test flying and all went well, so she is now back in Alaska and soon
will be back on floats. The pictures [here] include one taken to show some of
the many antennas on the fuselage, some of which are for the Capstone System.
Also a shot from the rear proving she is perfectly straight again (you can
see Beaver N159M waiting its turn in the shot) and a poor quality shot of her
in the air, taken from my back yard*.
The Ed Ward Air titles will be applied in Cheers, John *Not too shabby John. That’s my kind of back
garden. Many thanks. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
Lars Opland has sent in a few more shots from
his collection which can be viewed here.
Don’t forget some of his previous submissions back in June –(just scroll
down). And grateful thanks to Mike Sevier from |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September |
2 |
We start this month with some catch-up’s and first
a report from John O:- Hi Guys, Otter
N342AK, of Wings Airways in excellent CD history of it that it was the
first Otter delivered to the RCAF by deHavilland in 1953. It looks like it is
still in great shape and with a turbine engine up front the future looks good
for 007. Note the James Bond style logo on the fuselage. Cheers, John As ever John, keep that camera busy for us.
Great stuff. Steve Bourke took an excellent moody shot of
Otter 35 ZK-VAS in By some coincidence Len Bayliss has also sent
in a shot of VAS taken in April 07. Many thanks Len. Seems like a great location
for an Otter flight. There is also some more info about VAS at:- http://www.airportflyingclub.com/misc/volcaniclakes/OttersinNewZealand.htm
Finally a little advanced notice that Michael
Giroux has forwarded an excellent set, which will be uploaded shortly, and I
am still battling to upload some clips from my Alaska/BC trip to YouTube so
bear with me and do check back. Very best wishes Ian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August |
26 |
Two weeks since I returned to blighty. Where
did the time go? I have put together a short
trip story with links to photos
and DVD shots although I am still in the process of uploading the latter as
they take ages so do check back. Hope you enjoy as much as we did. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July |
12 |
Hi all. As a precursor to the long awaited
BC/Alaska Trip I have been taking sounding and planning photo shoots but at the
end of the day will just have to see what’s out there on the day. Anyway.
Departure is set for the 27th July and back in time for my
daughters all important A’ Level results on the 16th August.
Success is just going to cost me more for university fees and living. Oh joy.
Still, as I watch my bank balance recede into oblivion I can at least enjoy
the products of the holiday. Here’s hoping anyway. I thought a little tribute to Peter Watson’s
excellent collection is warranted this month so here is C-FSOR (239) at rest in just the
sort of circumstances I could hope to wish for. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 |
Rich Hulina reports on a recent sighting of C-FBEO (373) which
was in for some maintenance. It is now operated by Excellent Adventures
out of David Nilson, President of International
Aeroproducts Inc. of Courtenay, B.C. has kindly sent in some shots of aircraft
his company has modified and restored. In particular N435B in piston and
turbine variations. Many thanks David and do send any more you might have. Finally Lars Opland has scanned some more of
his Otter collection and PZL equipped N3125N (394) provides the next round with shots taken at
Lake Hood and an interesting ‘in the bush’ picture taken in the Alaska Air
Taxi waiting room. Presumably the pilot decided an immediate return to the
cockpit was not advisable!! Many thanks Lars. Look forward to more in due
course. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24 |
Ever busy John Olafson Reports:- “Here are a few shots taken recently of Otter
C-FMAU (74).
It had its first test flight and all went well. I met its new owner, Canadian
aviation icon Max Ward and I found him to be a very friendly man with many
stories to tell. He is still going strong at 86 years of age and he came to The floats are remanufactured as new by
Seaflight Industries here in The group photo shows left to right: Dave
Crerar of Vernon who is Max's pilot, Max Ward, Bobby Bishop - Pres Texas
Turbines and Test Pilot, yours truly. (shameful of me but I had to have my
photo taken with Max Ward). It will be here in Max told me he may not repaint it at all,
because he likes it the way it is. Cheers, John” An opportunity not to be missed John. A
historic Otter moment in time and some excellent photos. Many thanks. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June |
10 |
At last, normal service is being resumed: or
what passes for it in the wonderful world of IT. A little catching up to do
and thanks for your patience. John Olafson forwarded a message from Tim
Ralston concerning the crash of C-GZCW (447) out of John also provides a delightful range of shots of Ward Air's
Otter N63354 which came to Finally guys (and gals!) I have managed to rebuild
much of the original email notification list but if you are not receiving
update notifications (or do not wish to of course) just let me know. Back soon. Ian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
It was really great to hear from Fred Sprenger
this week, the Float Plane Chief Pilot for Volcanic Air Safaris in Very many thanks Fred and good to hear from you. Glad to see that the
Otter remains represented in the southern hemisphere and still in piston
format too. What a great excuse for a trip to Ken Hurford has also sent in a couple of photos of 183; registered as
N435B. She is based out of Volcanic Air Safaris HELICOPTERS & FLOATPLANES Rotorua, NZ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
Well,
418 has come in for some continuous scrutiny recently and Ken Hurford was going
through his Alaskan photos and thought
you would be interested in a photo of 418 in her ‘old’ paint. He also
noted a photo of 270 (N270PA) which appears to be a P&W PT6 conversion.
Thanks Ken. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May |
1 |
This months Shot of the Month was taken on a
beautiful sunny day in I note from the Wings of Alaska website that
Al is one of the 15 employee/owners of Wings Airways, the flightseeing
division buyout in 2002 from Wings of Alaska. Many thanks Al. Great shot and do keep them
coming. Have a good season. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
John Olafson reports:- “Hi Guys, April 7 was a busy day here and the weather was perfect for two Otters
to depart for Photo titled “acceptance” shows Tom Bach on the left, Tim Ralston of
Kal Air Repair and Mike Stedman, Vice President of Flight Ops on the right.
All look very happy with the job very well done. I have often wondered at the
code painted on the side of the Wings Airways aircraft and Mike told me that
it is required by FAA that in the absence of titles on the aircraft you have
to display the company operating license. This Otter had previously been converted to turbine and came to After takeoff, Mike was kind enough to come around and give me a
beautiful low pass and a last look at his beautiful Otter before it flew to Next update will be on Otter N63354 #30 of Ward Air. Cheers, John” As ever John, very many thanks and some great shots of a fine looking
aircraft. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April |
1 |
John Olafson has been a busy chap and also reports
on the latest from Kal-Air. John’s photo of C-FRNO features as this month’s shot of the month. “Hi Guys, There is a new route for Harbour Air (Langley
to Otter
N63354 has had its test flight which I missed (dadburn it) and possibly
tomorrow they will be hanging the amphib floats on it, so there may be another
test flight as early as tomorrow but probably Thursday. It sure has a
looooooooong snout now and an incredibly large exhaust pipe. There was a bldg
in the way, so I couldn't get a good side-on shot so I threw in a wide angle
(18mm) shot to show the whole but distorted Otter. It's a great livery. By the way, the lads at Seaflight Industries
here are doing up a set of extended Otter straight floats for Max's Otter
(C-FMAU). I do not yet know if it will fly out of I hope to have more shots of N63354 on its
floats soon. [John says the floats have now been installed and a test flight
is imminent]. Cheers, John” John also updates his 10th march
posting. Apparently N337AK will not be receiving floats in Very many thanks for the news John. Fred Barnes notes that C-FRNO has now had the
'windows' mod done as well as amphibious floats ready for the new service. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March |
10 |
John
Olafson reports from a recent visit to Kal-Air [PHOTOS] “N63354 now
has the Garrett engine in place and the interior work is coming along nicely.
The Chelton avionics system has been installed and most of the panel work is
finished. I couldn't resist taking a shot of the quadrant cover while it sat
on the bench. These amphib floats are going to be fitted to Otter N337AK
which is now in the paint shop. I was told that both N337AK and N63354 are
going to leave Thanks
John |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24 |
Jon Boychuk, President of Venture Air
(Central Flyway Air Inc.) has kindly sent in some shots of their Otter C-FRHW (445) registered to Central Flyway Air Inc. in
John Olafson points out that “RHW was the last Otter to receive the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
Ken Hurford has sent in photos from Juneau, N336AK – serial no. 333 N337AK – serial no. 418 N338AK – serial no. 262 N339AK – serial no. 454 Ken highlights that these aircraft were re-engined in 2004 and 2005 to a Garrett TPE331-10
Turbine engine with 900 horsepower, driving a four bladed propeller. Many thanks Ken. Booked to be there myself in the summer! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February |
10 |
Wow! Where is the year disappearing to? This
month A lovely shot of C-FMAU parked up in John also reports the latest from home base:- Here is the latest from
Otterville here in 4 Otters in the hangar. N93356 is still in the jig and needing a
lot of work. It can be seen off to the left. N63354 is coming along well with
the Garrett now installed and they are working at putting a new interior into
it. N337AK is the bare metal
Otter which is here for repaint and some interior work. The wings have
received some re-sheeting and are almost ready for paint. I am guessing that
this will be the first Otter to leave in the spring. C-FMAU, Max Ward's Otter
has had its engine removed and they are preparing it for the turbine.
Unfortunately it will not be painted this year, due to time constraints, but
is scheduled to return in the fall for new paint, interior and panorama
windows. In the photo showing the root ends of MAU and N63354 you can really
see the difference in the wing leading edge profile with the Baron wing mod
installed on MAU. With all the Otters
receiving much attention the Widgeon has been relegated to spectator and will
likely remain that way until summer when all the Otters are back in the air. Cheers, John Ken
Hurford has sent in a photo of a Gateway Aviation Otter (N6868B
-274). Ken says, “This photo was taken in According
to the AIRTECH Canada website 17 such conversions have been done. The
AIRTECH Canada website is: www.airtechcanada.com Best
wishes, Ken And last but not least, David Jaremy has
photographed C-FBEO (373), which was
returned to Fred Barnes notes that there is a report in the
Jan 07 Aviation Letter that Otter c/n263 N335AK crashed on take off at
Flamingo Bay, Andros Island, Bahamas on 9th Dec 06. Nothing reported yet on Air Safety Network but
a brief Google suggests the A/C was written-off. No injuries though. Very many thanks to all
contributors. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 |
For those of you not yet tuned into Propliner magazine the latest issue (108)
contains an excellent article by And talking of Karl, he has kindly forwarded
some great shots from Matt Biloff. He says
“the good news is that N254AW is back flying and N3904 is under rebuild”.
Thanks Karl and Matt. Karl has also put together a detailed update
(No.2) for his all encompassing Otter CD which can be purchased from Karl.
This is worth every penny.
Kirk Brassard has sent in some great pictures of his Otter C-GOFB in
the Wawa area, and on the ice in Northern Ontario and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
Rich Hulina
sends a Happy New Year and a fine shot of the only Otter in Ignace over the
holidays FCZO. He notes that APR
must have been hiding in the hangar! And talking of
Sioux Lookout’s favourite airline, Matt Cairns has sent in a shot of FNWX (412) on short finals. Thanks Matt. Good to hear
from Lars Opland again who sends in three shots of GSUV (376) taken at “Do you know, or have the resource at hand to find out,
what particular type of floats were the first amphibious floats used on the
Otter? I'm sure they were Edos but would like to know the model number &
overall length of the floats with retractable gear, which I'm guessing would
be slightly larger than the regular fit”. I made a stab at
responding from information to hand but any light you can throw on this would
be greatly appreciated. Finally John
Olafson reports on C-FMAU (74) Hello Otter enthusiasts, Thanks to the heads up from Cheers, By the way, I treated myself to a couple of bush pilot related
books over the Christmas period (with grateful thanks to Amazon.com) and have
just finished a very interesting story about the famous Don Braun in his book
“The Arctic Fox”. As many of you
may know he flew for Max Ward (who forwards the book). There is not a page
goes by that doesn’t refer to the Otter in Max Ward operations and the book
really is a wonderful insight into this flying legend and the immediate post
war development of bush aviation in northern |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JANUARY |
10 |
Welcome
all to the New Year and by the look of my already burgeoning inbox indicates
that this is going to be another good Otter year. We start – somewhat late this month – with a photo from Fred Barnes of the ‘ramp’ at John Olafson has been busy as usual and
reports on N93356 (144) :- Here are some photos
taken 15 Dec. The Otter is well set up in the jig and a lot of work has been
carried out so far with lots more to come. It is a very slow, tedious job and
I admire the craftsmen who do this work. I notice they are using some brand
new parts which come from Viking in This aircraft was subject to
an accident in July 2006 and the Aviation Safety Network reports that:- The Otter took off from Juneau (JNU) about
11:12. flying workers to the Kenington gold mine. It was foggy as the floatplane
attempted to land in Slate Cove, Peter Watson has also been out
and about and although he only found a few Otters on his travels he has taken
a series of photo’s of C-GLMT (216), C-FEYY (19) which is not all there so to
speak and C-FAZX (458) and C-FDIO (452) which can be viewed here and here.
LMT was taken at Lac Sebastien on 25th August 2006 with EYY at St
Felicien of the same date; AZX was taken at More to come very soon and my
thanks as ever to all the contributors. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News Archives Dec 05 – June 2006 | June – December 2006
2003 | 2004
| 2005