DHC-6 TWIN OTTER SPECIFICATIONS

Grand Canyon Airlines, Inc.
PO Box 3038
Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023-3038
USA

Corp Office: (928) 638-2463
Corp Fax: (928) 638-9461

The VISTALINER Story

In the late 1970's, owners of Grand Canyon Airlines, John Seibold and Elling Halvorson, realized that the air tour industry needed a safer, stronger, quieter, more reliable, and much more environmentally friendly aircraft. They sensed a real need to address safety issues and concerns regarding noise and pollution generated while air touring over such a precious environment as the magnificent Grand Canyon. At the time, GCA owned and operated a fleet of thirteen (13) older Cessna C-207 airplanes and were flying nearly 80,000 passengers a year. These airplanes had five cramped passenger seats, very small windows, one noisy piston driven engine, no climate controls (except for small air vents), and just one pilot at the controls of every flight. Both being pilots themselves, Seibold and Halvorson knew that the density altitude and power limitations of those types of aircraft were not ideal over the Canyon on a hot day with a full load of fuel and passengers, especially departing a high-altitude airport such as the Grand Canyon National Park Airport (6500 ft above sea level). While the Canyon is always spectacular, an air tour in the back seat of a Cessna 207 was often just an uncomfortable ride. Seibold, also founder and then owner of the modern Scenic Airlines in Las Vegas (founded 1967), and Halvorson, founder and owner of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters (founded 1965), were both committed to carrying on the legacy of pioneering the industry which their small airline had created fifty years earlier. They were (and still are) 100% committed to the future of the air tour industry and the benefits they provide, especially at the Grand Canyon.

Seibold, with his engineering background, considered several different types of aircraft for the new fleet of GCA and Scenic. He borrowed a DeHavilland Twin Otter airplane from a friend in 1980 for the summer. The Twin Otter, one of the most famous Canadian made aircraft, is known world-wide as a truly incredible aircraft with extremely unique flying characteristics and was the perfect combination of both strength, reliability, comfort, and quiet. The only thing Seibold did not particularly care for was the original, small "port-hole" style windows which were factory original and made it difficult for passengers to see views below. After extensive research and assistance from RW Martin Aviation and CAE Engineering, it was determined that Seibold was right, and that it could be "re-modeled" with much larger, sightseeing style windows without compromising the integrity of the rugged Twin Otter. Ultimately, this led to the creation of what Seibold and Halvorson named the "VISTALINER" after the incredible panoramic vista-views offered to every passenger on the aircraft. The 19 passenger configuration also allowed GCA to fly the same number of passengers over the Canyon with just 1/3rd the number of flights compared to what their previous fleet would allow. The cost was enormous (one Twin Otter is valued at the price of nearly ten (10) Cessna 207 airplanes) but Scenic Airlines and Grand Canyon Airlines began a quest of acquiring Twin Otter aircraft from around the world and modifying them with their newly-patented VISTALINER configuration.

Since the first VISTALINER went online at Grand Canyon Airlines in March, 1983 [CELEBRATING OVER 20 YEARS], the ownership has modified over 40 of these aircraft in the VISTALINER configuration. The STC (or patent) on these special modifications are still owned by Seibold / Halvorson. The VISTALINER is now known world-wide to be the ultimate limousine of air tour aircraft and are leased world wide. See other differences that make GCA unique and the preferred air tour operator.

1. High wings with no obstructions, reengineered with the largest flat, un-tinted panoramic windows on any air tour aircraft offering unbelievable views from every seat. Perfect for sightseeing and photography!
   
   

2. Configured with 19 comfortable, roomy seats, it is perfect for groups of any size (literally!) Because GCA led the way in voluntarily upgrading its fleet of single engine aircraft (5-6 seats each) to the 19 passenger VISTALINERS, Grand Canyon Airlines flies just one flight over the Canyon for what previously required three flights to accommodate the same number of passengers. The VISTALINER has significantly reduced the flight intrusions and noise generated by 2/3rds at GCA's operation.
   
   

3. Two extremely powerful, TURBINE driven engines (not piston). Extremely strong, reliable, and quiet Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27. Very significant difference in strength and exterior noise compared to competitor's aircraft. 

4. Passenger Cabin is climate controlled with heat and air conditioning to allow for the most comfortable ride.

5. TWO highly qualified and trained pilots in control of EVERY Vistaliner flight. (GCA also has higher pre-hire minimum requirements and qualifications for its Captains and First Officers than that of its competitors).
   
   

6. Digital narration system on board with BOSE* Tri-Port headphones at each passenger seat for music and information throughout the flight. GCA also has their Grand Canyon tour narration in several languages [Spanish, Japanese, German, Italian, French, Dutch, English, Korean].

7. Grand Canyon Airlines aircraft have a substantially better communications system and avionics package as well as numerous other special upgrades. To see more, please click here.

   
   Click this compass to review aircraft avionics and upgrades.
   
   

8. Each seat is also equipped with an adapter jack outlet where upon request, passenger can connect their personal camcorders or digital video cameras (via the mic jack) allowing the digital tour narration and music to be cleanly recorded without feedback or background noise, making wonderful souvenir videos!
   
   

9. Each aircraft has high-technology weather radar equipment, terrain and collision avoidance systems, GPS navigation systems, de-ice / anti-ice system with fully instrument flight rule capable flying.

10. Passenger cabin is large and roomy with high ceiling, allowing for a more comfortable ride. Interior is immaculate. GCA is proud to specialize in assisting physically challenged and impaired Grand Canyon visitors in the large VISTALINER to be able to experience the Canyon by air. The aircraft is large and stable, generally allowing for a much smoother ride than smaller aircraft.
    
    

11. Each VISTALINER is maintained thoroughly each day by a first-rate internal maintenance team. All maintenance (general and major) is done in-house in our 10,000 square foot hangar and maintenance facility. Below is a picture of a thorough inspection and refurbishment after adding the large windows.

12. Each GCA VISTALINER is valued at over $1.6 million dollars. Just one is worth nearly the entire previous GCA fleet of thirteen (13) Cessna 207 airplanes.
    
    

13. GCA employs "quiet technology". By adding a specially designed fourth blade to the already quiet propeller, this successfully reduced the exterior noise by an additional 66%. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service consider the VISTALINER to be the quietest aircraft currently flying tours of Grand Canyon.

14. The Twin Otter VISTALINER is considered a STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, making it a perfect aircraft for short, unimproved, remote strips and airfields. It also allows for slow (approximately 90 knots) stable flight during tours for superb viewing.
    
    

15. GCA owns a fleet of six (6) VISTALINER aircraft and has an exclusive operation of this type of aircraft on tours from Grand Canyon and Scottsdale. GCA is capable of handling up to 114 passengers per departure.

    
    
    
16. The VISTALINER has large cargo hauling capability in its baggage compartments.
    
    

17. 19 passengers per flight allow GCA to operate a lower unit cost per passenger, thereby allowing GCA to provide the most affordable tours offered.