Juneau Floatplane Tours
Juneau Floatplane Tours
Juneau Floatplane Tours
Juneau Floatplane Tours
Juneau Floatplane Tours
Juneau Floatplane Tours Juneau Floatplane Tours Our Floatplane Fleet Juneau Floatplane Tours
 
The Wings Airways fleet of DeHavilland Otters and Beavers each have a unique history that is highly regarded by the pilots that fly them and the mechanics that care for them. We also have quite a following from former and current aviators who know and respect the story of the deHavilland aircraft.
     
 

The Otters were converted between 2004 and 2005 from Pratt and Whitney radial engines to Garrett TPE331-10 turbine engines. With these 900 horsepower engines the aircraft reliability and safety factors were substantially increased.
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For an added margin of safety Wings has installed modern Chelton GPS based EFIS glass cockpits in all of the Otters and Beavers. We also take one step further to ensure each passenger enjoys unrestricted views as everyone has a window seat.

 


For an added margin of safety all aircraft have the modern GPS based EFIS glass cockpit.

 

DeHavilland Otter


First flown at DeHavilland Aircraft Company, Toronto, Canada on 12 December 1951, the Otter's design was similar to but larger than the company's Beaver. Both aircraft were designed to operate from rugged bush country as well as in cold weather operations. The Otter was in fact originally going to be named the King Beaver and it followed its predecessor's configuration very closely. It featured a conventional stressed skin construction and had a braced -wing with full-span slotted flaps with the outer portions acting as ailerons. The design proved to be highly versatile and could be operated on wheels, floats or skis.

 

 

 

Impressed with the performance of the Otter, particularly its ability to operate with heavy loads out of unprepared airstrips, the U.S. Army purchased a large number of them under the designation of U-1A. After evaluating a "loan" Otter from the Army, the Navy purchased four of them in January 1955 as UC-1As to serve as an air arm for Task Force 43 during Operation Deep Freeze I in the Antarctic. Procurement of a further fourteen, later designated as U-1Bs, included some for other countries. Nine of them with wheel/ski configuration were to further supplement and replace Otters in the Antarctic. Most of these planes have either been retired or gone on into private service. Some of both aircraft have been retro-fitted with turbine engines instead of radial engines. Today Otter's are in high demand around the world, especially on floats in Alaska, where the vast majority are based.

 

DeHavilland Beaver


August 16, 1947 was the first flight of deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver, the first STOL aircraft built by DeHavilland.
The Beaver was designed and built in response to the demands of Canadian bush operators. With its all-metal construction, high-lift wing, and flap configuration, the Beaver was a robust aircraft with excellent short take off and landing capability even with heavy loads. It is a versatile bushplane designed to operate on skis, wheels, or floats. Its rugged dependability and exceptional performance made it a favorite with bush pilots and operators. In addition to its success in Canada, the Beaver found acceptance in other countries all over the world.
Although not ordered by the RCAF, some 980 served with distinction in the US Army and US Air Force. Over 1,600 aircraft were built between 1947-67, with deliveries to 62 countries.

 

 


The Beaver is considered by many to be the best bushplane ever built. Even though a number of them have been retired to museums around the world, the demand for this ‘half-ton truck of the air’ is still as strong as ever. The Beaver was such a success that more were built than any other aircraft designed and manufactured in Canada. The Association of Industrial Designers has named the Beaver one of the best designs in all categories to come out of Canada. In 1951 it won both the US Air Force and US Army competitions for a utility aircraft.