Daher launches upgraded Kodiak 100 Series III turboprop

Daher has launched its upgraded Kodiak 100 Series III turboprop and delivered the first plane to a customer at its Sandpoint facility in Idaho, US.

The Series III includes larger tyre sizes, measuring 29 inches and a higher landing weight of 7,255lb (3,290kg). The new model also has a lower zero-fuel weight, enabling a larger payload, designed to benefit charter and business flights, special missions and humanitarian operations.

As part of the upgrade, Series III aircraft offer the eight-seat Executive Edition cabin with club-type seating for passengers, air conditioning with controls for both the cockpit and cabin zones, plus an increased oxygen capacity. Another option is enhanced quality exterior paint. All Series III aircraft carry an extended three-year warranty.

Flight safety upgrades include the first integration on a Kodiak of Garmin’s GWX 75 Doppler-capable, fully stabilised colour weather radar. Its high-definition colour palette is said to enable more detailed contouring of storm cells. These are in addition to the range’s standard equipment that includes Garmin’s G1000 NXi fully integrated flight deck, GFC700 autopilot with full envelope protection and level mode, an angle of attack (AOA) indicator, SurfaceWatch runway monitoring technology, ChartView-enabled card and the Synthetic Vision Technology for virtual flight reference.

‘Capable, comfortable and maintainable’

A Daher spokesman told Corporate Jet Investor: “When Daher acquired the Kodiak product line in 2019, the company committed to maintaining its strategy of continual improvement – as regularly applied to the company’s TBM very fast turboprop aircraft family. Using the resources of Daher and the Kodiak team in Sandpoint, Idaho, the Series III represents the next step in Daher’s strategic plan for Kodiak, ensuring the aircraft is even more operationally capable, comfortable and maintainable.”

Commenting on the launch, Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher’s Aircraft Division and CEO of Kodiak Aircraft said: “With these latest upgrades and quality improvements, the most modern, rugged, and reliable aircraft in its class is now even better with the Kodiak 100 Series III. This latest version underscores Daher’s commitment to continual improvement for its airplane family and further aligns the Kodiak’s attributes with those of our TBM very fast turboprop aircraft.”

All Kodiak 100 Series III aircraft can be equipped with floats for seaplane operations. A skin gap fillet sealant, fitted as part of an anti-corrosion process, provides protection particularly in high salinity environments.

The aircraft’s versatility made the model a good fit for business aviation consumers post Covid-19, according to the spokesman. “The Kodiak provides a great way to get out of the city, enabling trips to regional and local airports while also opening the possibility of flying into uneven and unimproved runways – as well as operating on water in its amphibious version,” said the spokesman.  “Private transportation is an increasingly attractive alternative to airline travel, and the Kodiak’s ability to accommodate up to 10 people while operating with turbine-power efficiency and single-engine costs make the aircraft an extremely efficient solution.”

Single-engine costs

The OEM marked the launch this week with the delivery of the first Kodiak 100 Series III to Rick and Adam Ross in Sandpoint, Idaho. “Rick Ross runs a business with multi-location industrial facilities, so the Kodiak will provide access to visit these locations and the flexibility to see customers – without the added complication of using airlines, especially in today’s stressed-out commercial air travel market,” said the spokesman.

In addition to business flights, the Series III will be heading for back country locations, as the family are avid outdoors people. The new owner selected the Kodiak eight-seat Executive Edition cabin, with club-type seating for passengers, air conditioning with controls for both the cockpit and cabin zones, plus increased oxygen capacity. Later in the week, Daher handed over a second aircraft to another owner/operator.

Kodiak 100 Series III aircraft qualify for a four-year Kodiak Care maintenance programme, which covers scheduled maintenance up to the fourth annual inspection or a total flight time of 1,000 hours – whichever comes first. Also included is Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Gold-level ESP Maintenance Program for the PT6A-34 turboprop engine, along with one year of CAMP Systems maintenance tracking and one year’s subscription for Garmin’s NavData electronic database. The new model follows the Series II version launched in 2018.

The base price is $2,278,750, which includes the four-year maintenance programme, full avionics, cargo pod, TKS, 29-in tires and other items. The price for the Executive Edition package is $2,632,996.

Kodiak 100 Series III turboprop – at a glance

• – Larger tyre sizes (29 in)
• – Higher landing weight 7,255lb (3,290k)
• – Lower zero-fuel weight
• – Larger payload
• – Eight-seat Executive Edition cabin with club-type seating for passengers
• – First integration on a Kodiak of Garmin’s GWX 75 Doppler-capable, fully stabilised colour weather radar
• – Base price is $2,278,750.

Top: Kodiak’s chief demo pilot Mark Brown (left) hands the key of the first Kodiak 100 Series III aircraft to Rick Ross at Sandpoint, Idaho. The Kodiak will be used for business trips and flights to the back country.

Bottom: The new owner selected the Kodiak eight-seat Executive Edition cabin, pictured below.