Kodiaks jump to new certification
—Courtesy photo A skydiver jumps out of the Quest Kodiak during a recent test of the airplane for certification as parachute jump operations. The Sandpoint-based company recently delivered the first such plane to its buyer.
SANDPOINT — Quest’s Kodiak airplane was originally designed to perform humanitarian missions throughout the world, but the Sandpoint-based company has found a new use for its state-of-the-art planes.
On Tuesday, Quest announced that the received type certification for parachute jump operations.
The move to modify the Kodiak’s original design came after Quest was approached by the Rhine Army Parachute Association, a service charity of the British Army based in Germany.
Because it provides military and civilian training in skydiving, RAPA was interested in acquiring a Kodiak with jumper capability.
“When RAPA approached us about the Kodiak, we looked at various options for delivering an aircraft modified for jump operations,” said Paul Schaller, Quest president and CEO. “Based on input from RAPA and other potential customers, as well as what we had learned about the airframe during the FAA certification process, we decided to develop and certify the jump package ourselves so we could deliver a certified Kodiak directly to the customer.”
The jump plane modifications include a roll-down door that can be closed from the pilot’s seat, a wing-mounted camera, a 14-inch photographer step, a wind detector, jump lights and internal and external grab rails that run the length of the door.
Before it was able to sell the modified planes, Quest went through a rigorous two-and-a half year certification process that involved, among many other tests, using weights and hydraulic rams to test the structural integrity of a modified fuselage. After writing a flight test plan, the company began flying with actual jumpers, conducting multiple runs with as many as five skydivers leaving the plane at once.
According to sales manager Lynn Thomas, the tests were designed to prove that jumpers wouldn’t strike the airplane on the way out, while also showing that the plane would remain safe and controllable even in the most extreme conditions.
“We proved all that and showed that we’re just a great jump airplane,” Lynn said.
After delivering its first Kodiak last year, Quest is currently working through a three-year backlog of orders and, while only five of those orders are for the modified jump planes, Lynn expects to produce many more in the future.
Quest spokesperson Julie Stone said reaction from the skydiving community has been positive and she believes interest in the modified Kodiak will grow when more people become aware of its potential.
“From the time it was introduced, the jump community could see the potential that the Kodiak could be used for their type of activity.” Stone said.
With 250 employees, Quest is one of the largest employees in Bonner County, and Stone said the company plans on expanding further in the future.