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The VISTALINER is a
significantly modified deHavilland Twin Otter airplane
(DHC-6-300). This aircraft characteristics and
capabilities are unlike any aircraft of its type. Very few
fixed-wing aircraft have the STOL (short takeoff and landing)
capabilities as well as the ability for such slow and stable
flight. Whether operated on wheels, floats, or skis, the
combination of the qualities of the VISTALINER make it one of
the most unique and popular airplanes in many different types of
operations.
TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE
Partial List of Major Differences & Benefits
of the TOIL VISTALINER -
 High
wings with no obstructions, reengineered with the largest
flat, un-tinted panoramic windows on any air tour aircraft
offering unbelievable views from every seat.
Perfect for sightseeing and photography!
Configured
with 19 comfortable, roomy seats, it is perfect for groups of
any size (literally!) These aircraft can be configured
in a variety of different seating options as well as provide
for survey equipment, cameras, computers, etc.
Two
extremely powerful, TURBINE driven engines (not piston).
Extremely strong, reliable, and quiet Pratt & Whitney PT-6
(Dash
27's). Very significant difference in strength and
exterior noise compared to competitor's aircraft.
Passenger
Cabin can be modified and customized to be climate controlled with heat and air conditioning to
allow for the most comfortable ride.
TWO
highly qualified and trained pilots in control of EVERY
Vistaliner flight. We take great care and responsibility in
selecting professional pilots and we hold extremely high pre-hire minimum
requirements and qualifications for its Captains and First
Officers.
For our lease
customers who primarily operate air tours, TOIL has helped
co-develop a patented digital narration system on board with
individual passenger headphones at each passenger seat for
music and information throughout the flight (each operator is
responsible to create their own program).
TOIL aircraft have a substantially better
communications system and avionics package as well as numerous
other special upgrades. To see more, please click here.
Click this compass to review aircraft avionics and upgrades.
Each
seat can also equipped with an adapter jack outlet where upon
request, passenger can connect their personal camcorders or
digital video cameras (via the mic jack) allowing the digital
tour narration and music to be cleanly recorded without
feedback or background noise, making wonderful souvenir
videos!
Each
aircraft has high-technology weather radar equipment, terrain
and collision avoidance systems, GPS navigation systems,
de-ice / anti-ice system with fully instrument flight rule
capable flying. Most recently, the entire TOIL fleet has
been upgraded with Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS) to
significantly increase the safety margins of operation.
Passenger
cabin is large and roomy with high ceiling, allowing for a
more comfortable ride. Interior is immaculate. The aircraft is
large and stable, generally allowing for a much smoother ride
than smaller aircraft.
Each
VISTALINER is maintained thoroughly each day by a first-rate
internal maintenance team. All maintenance (general and
major) is done in-house in our 60,000 square foot hangar and
maintenance facility. Below is a picture of a thorough
inspection and refurbishment after adding the large windows.
Each
TOIL VISTALINER is valued on average over $1.6 million dollars.
TOIL
employs "quiet technology". By adding a specially
designed fourth blade to the already quiet propeller, this
successfully reduced the exterior noise by an additional 66%.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park
Service consider the VISTALINER to be one of the quietest
aircraft currently flying tours of Grand Canyon, and this
feature is extremely helpful for our lease customers who
operate flights over noise sensitive areas.
The
Twin Otter VISTALINER is considered a STOL (Short Takeoff and
Landing) aircraft, making it a perfect aircraft for short,
unimproved, remote strips and airfields. It also allows
for slow (approximately 90 knots) stable flight during tours
for superb viewing.
TOIL
owns a fleet of twenty-six (26) VISTALINER aircraft and over
the last twenty years has over 400,000 flight hours of
experience and support.
The
VISTALINER has large cargo hauling capability in its baggage
compartments.
19
passengers per flight allow TOIL's customers to operate a lower unit cost
per passenger, thereby allowing the customer to provide the most
affordable flights and products.
The VISTALINER Story (summarized version) -
In the late
1970's, then co-owner of Grand Canyon Airlines and Scenic
Airlines, John Seibold, realized that the air tour industry needed a safer,
stronger, quieter, more reliable, and much more environmentally
friendly aircraft. He sensed a real need to
address safety issues and concerns regarding noise and pollution
generated while air touring over such a precious environment as
the magnificent Grand Canyon. At the time, Grand Canyon
Airlines owned and
operated a fleet of thirteen (13) older Cessna C-207 airplanes
and were flying nearly 80,000 passengers a year. Scenic
Airlines owned a fleet of Cessna C-402 airplanes. These
airplanes had small cramped passenger seats, very small windows,
with noisy piston driven engines, no climate controls (except for
small air vents), and usually flown with just one pilot at the controls of every
flight. Being an avid pilot and engineer himself, Seibold knew that the density altitude and power limitations
of those types of aircraft were not ideal over the Canyon on a
hot day with a full load of fuel and passengers, especially
departing a high-altitude airport such as the Grand Canyon
National Park Airport (6500 ft above sea level). While the
Canyon is always spectacular, an air tour in the back seat of a
Cessna 207 was often just an uncomfortable ride. Seibold,
was
committed to carrying on the legacy of pioneering the industry
which Grand Canyon Airlines had created fifty years earlier.
He was (and still is) 100% committed to the future of the
air tour industry and the benefits they provide, especially at
the Grand Canyon. Seibold, with his engineering
background, considered several different types of aircraft for
the new fleet of GCA and Scenic. He borrowed a DeHavilland
Twin Otter airplane from a friend in 1980 for the summer.
The Twin Otter (DHC-6-300), one of the most famous Canadian made aircraft,
is known world-wide as a truly incredible aircraft with
extremely unique flying characteristics and was the perfect
combination of both strength, reliability, comfort, and quiet.
The only thing Seibold did not particularly care for was the
original, small "port-hole" style windows which were factory
original and made it difficult for passengers to see views
below. After extensive research and assistance from RW
Martin Aviation and CAE Engineering, it was determined that
Seibold was right, and that it could be "re-modeled" with much larger, sightseeing
style windows without compromising the integrity of the rugged
Twin Otter. Ultimately, this led to
the creation of what Seibold named the
"VISTALINER" after the incredible panoramic vista-views offered
to every passenger on the aircraft. Having created the
perfect Special Type Certificate and modified "VISTALINER",
this aircraft is now known world-wide to be the ultimate limousine of
air tour aircraft and are leased world wide exclusively through
Twin Otter International, LTD. |
