As we all can attest to – this has been an unexpected year. It struck me part way through this year of Covid – that not in my life time have so many people been home – and stayed home. Venturing abroad has not been an option for most. So to have this opportunity to fly – feels incredibly fortunate and maybe a little unique. We are so curious as always – and maybe a little more this year – of the people we will meet and the places we will see and the stories we will hear.
This ferry flight began back in 2018 when N190KQ was bought – almost new – 50 hours on it – from Setouchi – the former owner of Quest. She was then painted and then worked into the M.A.F. flow of preparing aircraft for overseas work – such as; HF, satellite, single point fuelling and a number of other small mods. Initially there was a delay because of import permissions and then COVID hit and was delayed again.
In light of the world situation – it is exciting to get this aircraft on its way!
A few fun facts about the Kodiak:
- the Kodiak was initially designed for the needs of humanitarian aviation when it began with Quest Aircraft in Idaho in 1998
- it is a high-wing, unpressurized single engine turboprop with a fixed tricycle gear
- this plane is able to hold 10 people and has short-field capability (which means it is able to land on and take off from unpaved, remote strips)
- the max speed is 183 KIAS and a stall speed of 77 knots
North to South and back again - Bangladesh to Australia 