February 2015 Newsletter

QUEST KODIAK – VERSATILE TURBOPROP AIRCRAFT

The Kodiak design started in 1999 with the aim to provide a rugged turbo-prop aircraft capable of carrying up to 9 passengers and 1 crew or over 3500 lbs of cargo into some of the world’s most remote locations. Quest Aircraft was backed by the missionary and humanitarian organizations to help them build an aircraft for these demanding missions and Quest Aircraft still provides every 10th Kodiak to a humanitarian organization at cost. To many the Quest Kodiak at first glance may appear to resemble a Cessna Caravan, equipped with a 3 panel G1000 avionics.

However, upon closer inspection, one will notice this aircraft has been meticulously designed around its off airport mission. While the Kodiak cabin is a foot shorter than that of the Caravan, it does provide a slightly taller cabin height, albeit by only a few inches. Upon closer inspection, one will also notice features such as the discontinued leading edge, allowing the Kodiak to maintain advanced aileron control at slower flight speed, and a robust landing gear designed to handle the most challenging unimproved strips around the world. In front of it all is a powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turbo-prop producing 750 shp, allowing the Kodiak to takeoff on runways under 1,000 feet, at full gross weight and climb at over 1,300 feet per minute.

Additionally the Kodiak offers a variety of interiors to meet it owner’s missions, from skydive operations, to an executive interior with club seating. The track mounting system, utilized for the passenger seats, allows owners and operators to easily remove and reconfigure the seating to meet the changing mission needs. A large 49” X 49” clamshell door allows easy access for loading of cargo or passengers, and is large enough to load an ATV. At a speed of 200 miles per hour, the Kodiak is capable of flying 1,005 nautical miles at 12,000 feet (3,700 m), 174 knots (332 km/h) all while consuming only 48 gph. Additional options included weather radar, air conditioning, TKS Ice protection (certified for flight into known ice), Tundra tires, external cargo pod (adding approximately 63 cubic feet of cargo space), and several manufacturers are now producing floats for the Kodiak.
The multi-function capability of the Kodiak allows the aircraft to be used for charter and corporate operations to aerial mapping, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue, parachute/jump operations, and humanitarian operations. No matter the mission, the Kodiak is a work horse that can deliver you to some of the most remote places on earth in comfort.