Twotters forever?

Well, probably for around another decade:

The Canadian Forces' 40-year-old Twin Otter planes will keep flying in the Arctic until at least 2015 and could continue operating beyond that date if the military still does not have a replacement aircraft.

The scheme to replace the four Twin Otters operating out of Yellowknife is no longer a priority for the Harper government, and with the planes reaching the end of their operating life in 2010, air force planners have now decided to move ahead with some upgrades to the aircraft, defence and aerospace industry officials say.

To keep the Twin Otters flying until 2017, the military must modernize some of the avionics on the versatile transport plane. To keep them flying beyond 2017, if that is required, planners say the wings must be replaced. Both options are contained in the air force's 2007-2010 future-plans report submitted to the federal government by air force commander Lt.-Gen. Angus Watt.

A draft of the Canada First Defence Strategy leaked to the Citizen in 2007 called for the purchase by 2011 of four new utility transport aircraft to be based at Yellowknife.

But the Conservative government rejected that proposal from the military, and when the strategy was finally announced several months ago by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, it did not include any mention of the new planes for the Arctic.

The military considers the Twin Otters, purchased in 1970, well suited for the North, particularly since these transports are capable of short takeoffs and landings. The landing gear is easily converted to either wheels, skis or floats [I don't think they do floats anymore - MC], according to the Defence Department...

The Twin Otters are highly popular with civilian firms. Last year Viking Air Ltd., a firm in Victoria, announced it would start building new Twin Otters. Viking Air cited market studies indicating there was a demand for more than 400 of the aircraft around the world.

The original de Havilland Twin Otters were built between 1965 and 1988, and 844 were delivered. More than 600 remain in active service today, according to Viking Air.

Apparently a Twotter replacement (Bombardier Q-Series) was proposed to Cabinet in November 2006 but not approved. Now I guess there's only so much money to go around; still, it will be a long wait--even should we eventually choose new-build Twotters.