Two New Utility Aircraft Make Oshkosh Debut…

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Quest Zodiac For The Off-Airport Crowd

The folks from Quest Aircraft, of Sand Point, Idaho, were happy with the attention their prototype Kodiak bush plane was getting. “We had hoped that maybe we would sell one airplane,” said marketing manager Kelly Mahon, “but we already have two deposits and a few more are pending. There’s been overwhelming interest.” Mahon said the 10-seat single-engine turboprop was designed for missionary projects, but most buyers so far are looking for a backcountry airplane for personal use. “We designed it to be easy to maintain, and for short takeoffs and landings in places with no runways,” he said. The prototype first flew last October and has 215 hours on it. FAA certification is expected early next year, and base price is $1.11 million. The Kodiak has a useful load of 3,450 pounds and comes with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turboprop. Floats are optional. The company first introduced the aircraft at the Alaska Aviation Trade Show in May, and had 12 deposits prior to Oshkosh. The production target for the first year is 13 aircraft.

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