French Aircraft Manufacturer Daher Converts The Iconic Kodiak 900 Into The Ultimate Getaway Vehicle

French aircraft manufacturer Daher launched the larger, faster Kodiak 100 at AirVenture Oshkosh on July 25, 2022. The Kodiak 900 joins the company's TBM 910 and TBM 960 turboprops. First aircraft to debut is the Kodiak 900.

The Kodiak 900's fuselage is extended by 3.9 feet to boost passenger and cargo room, cruising speed to 210 KTAS, usable load, and range to 1,129 nautical miles. These traits were inherited from the Kodiak 100, a backcountry STOL and multi-role aircraft.

In addition to these improvements, the Kodiak 900's operational economics have been reinforced by decreasing specific fuel usage by 9 percent. This reduces commercial operators' cost-per-seat-mile and direct operational expenses.

The FAA approved the Kodiak 900 on July 20; deliveries will begin in 2023. Daher's Sandpoint, Idaho factory produces the Kodiak 900 and 100 Series III.

Didier Kayat, Daher's CEO, said of the Kodiak 900's introduction: "Today's debut of the Kodiak 900 shows the parent company's commitment to expanding its aircraft portfolio." It comes three months after the TBM 960 was unveiled.

Its all-new inside blends Daher's skill in building sophisticated, opulent TBM interiors with the Kodiak's rough legacy to provide a flexible, well-appointed cabin. Stretched fuselage increases Kodiak 900 cabin space by 20%, to 309 cubic feet. Legroom has increased by 20%.

The Kodiak 900 can meet a variety of customer and mission needs owing to its innovative Summit+ passenger seats. The inside may be arranged out as a double club or all-forward-facing. Summit+ chairs may be removed from the Kodiak 100's improved cabin. This maximises cargo space. Each seat has a personal amenity panel with USB-a, USB-c, LEMO-powered headset plugs, cupholders, and phone holders.

The new seats include quick-release handles, so a single person can install or remove them from the car without tools or specialised equipment. Each seat reclines, features two armrests, and a bolstered and padded headrest, making even lengthy trips comfortable.

Cabin keeps Kodiak 100 versatile. A vast number of tie downs throughout the truck allow for flexible cargo fastening. If needed, the whole cabin may be utilised for cargo owing to three entry/exit doors.

New colours improve the Kodiak 900's interior look. The interior has sturdy, weatherproof black carpeting and seating. Sidewalls, headliner, and rear bulkhead are made of composite. The Kodiak 900's unpressurized cabin offers industry-leading sound absorption, making it one of the quietest in its class.

The Kodiak 900 airframe has a fifth set of passenger windows. These windows brighten and expand the cabin.

The exterior pilot entrance step was replaced with a folding ladder, flaptrack coverings were added to the wing, and landing gear wheel fairings were added. The airframe has also been re-engineered to retain the Kodiak's ruggedness. Ducts, air intakes, and air ducts were modified, modelled, and constructed to reduce drag.

The Kodiak 900's wheel fairings are another distinguishing feature. They have been approved as "secondary structures" and have undergone the same rigorous testing and analysis as the cargo pod. The main gear wheel fairing may be employed as a stair for pre-flight operations or single-point refuelling. Both are due to their adaptability. Access doors give easy access to the tyre valve stem, avoiding the need to remove the wheel fairings for brake or tyre maintenance.

Wheel fairing maintenance is pilot-performed. This allows owners and operators to work on them without logging it.

Because of the Kodiak 900's taller backseat than the Kodiak 100, the rear cargo door was redesigned. Additional steps aid with freight loading and passenger entry and departure. Extra handholds are added to accommodate the taller aircraft during entrance and egress. The door maintains the Kodiak's clamshell form while folding flat, allowing MEDEVAC clients to easily load and unload bulk freight, pallets, or stretchers.

Daher Kodiak Care's four-year maintenance contract covers up to 1,000 flight hours or until the fourth annual inspection.

The Kodiak 900 has a 900-hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140A turboprop engine. This engine was designed to resist severe circumstances and heavy demand in utility aircraft. All-aluminum gearbox housings prevent corrosion, and its engine performs best in class when heated. Pratt & Whitney Canada manufactures the next-generation PT6A-140A. This series has flown 2 million hours.

The Kodiak 900's Hartzell five-blade composite propeller offers complete feathering, constant speed, and hydraulic pitch and yaw actuators. The aircraft's 79.5 decibel noise level is due to its design and 1,900 rpm engine speed. This permits the plane to fly in noise-sensitive areas.

The Kodiak 900's engine compartment features upgraded components, yet the Kodiak 100's attributes remain. The low-temperature air-intake system allows several battery engine starts per hour. High-cycle clients, including skydiving operators and short-range commercial aircraft, demand frequent engine starts. Alternator cooling shroud and cowl exit ducts are both 3D printed to save complexity and weight.

The Kodiak 900 improves on the Kodiak 100's simple and durable construction, world-famous stability, and user-friendly manoeuvrability with a bigger cabin, greater speed, faster climb, and quicker arrival at altitude/on station. Its nine-hour loiter duration, moderate flight control abilities, and 210 KTAS sprint/cruise speed are all beneficial for missions.

Kodiak 900's 300-amp starter/generator and 60-amp alternator meet ISR electrical demands. The plane can also accommodate advanced electronics. Because turboprops have little vibration, they may carry skilled pilots and flight attendants.

The Kodiak 900 can ascend higher and fly quicker than its predecessor, improving its firefighting capabilities. The Kodiak 100 has STOL capability so it may deliver staff and supplies to remote runways. Larger cabin space and a flexible interior increase the Kodiak 900's potential for law enforcement, public safety, and agency duties. The bigger cabin can carry two stretchers for MEDEVAC, and the enhanced speed is important when time is of the essence.

The Kodiak 900's large cabin and robust construction make it a suitable cargo plane. Its speed, payload, and range make it an excellent transport platform.

In 2016, Kodiak 900 development began. The FAA has built a static test article, a flying prototype, and the first conforming production aircraft for reliability and function testing. The Kodiak 900's inaugural cruise ended on February 28, 2020. The test fleet has logged more than 800 ground hours and 600 flying hours.

This is another answer to the commitment of enhancing sustainability and improving the carbon footprint of general aviation. The Kodiak 900 is in a category of its own: a highly versatile unpressurized utility turboprop airplane that can carry impressive payloads while cruising comfortably at 210 KTS in refined luxury.”