Quest Aircraft receives production certificate for Kodiak
Quest officials are presented with unrestricted production certification for the Kodiak airplane on Tuesday. Pictured, from left, in the back row are Chad Bryan (Quest Aircraft), Danny Hiner (Quest Aircraft), Ron Wright (Quest Aircraft), Tom Willis (Quest Aircraft), and Manny Lopez (MIDO). Pictured from left in the front row are Paul Schaller (Quest CEO) and Tim Veranna (Manager, Seattle MIDO). (Courtesy photo)
SANDPOINT — Quest Aircraft Company has received full unrestricted production certification for the Kodiak.
The Federal Aviation Administration presented Quest with the certificate Tuesday , Sept. 15, in a brief ceremony at the company’s Sandpoint headquarters.
“Achieving this final step in the process of designing, producing, and delivering a brand new aircraft is an important milestone for Quest,” said Paul Schaller, Quest Aircraft’s President and CEO. “I want to thank the dedicated team of Quest employees who along with the FAA have worked hard to achieve this certification. This process has truly been a partnership between Quest and the FAA and we are grateful for their hard work and support.”
With the production certification in hand, Quest is now able to issue standard airworthiness certificates for the Kodiak aircraft it produces. The company has been ramping up production, and Kodiaks are rolling off the line at the rate of three aircraft a month.
“We’ve been very blessed over the last couple years at Quest,” continued Schaller. “We received our type certification in May 2007, just 32 months after the first flight of the Kodiak prototype. We began customer deliveries later that year and have delivered 22 Kodiaks to date.”
Schaller said the production certificate will allow Quest to streamline the production and delivery process over time, as the company has taken responsibility for inspections and coordinate changes with the FAA’s Seattle Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO).
Schaller said the Kodiak’s rugged aluminum construction combines superior STOL performance and high useful load as well as offering proven turbine reliability with the Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbine engine.
Quest has seen strong market acceptance in key market segments, including personal use, Part 135 operations, government, and mission/humanitarian organizations.
Quest Aircraft Company, LLC is the manufacturer of the Kodiak, a 10-place single engine turboprop utility airplane, designed for STOL use and float capability.
Quest was established in 2001 and currently employs more than 300 skilled personnel.