Quest delivers KODIAK certified for parachute operations

Quest Aircraft Company announced today that the KODIAK has received Type Certification (TC) for parachute jump operations. The standard airworthiness certificate is a first for an aircraft delivered new from the factory to the end user.

The Rhine Army Parachute Association (RAPA), the aircraft’s owner, took delivery of the aircraft in late June and flew the KODIAK to their home base in Bad Lippspringe, Germany. RAPA is a service charity of the British Army and provides military training, sport training for both military personnel and civilians and parachuting/skydiving exercises and competitions. The KODIAK officially entered service last week when it was utilized in a jump competition, marking the first time competitive jumps were made from a KODIAK.

“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.”

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New pics of the KODIAK

Thanks to Steve Ottaviano for providing these new pics of the KODIAK when he traveled to Sandpoint for training earlier this year. We anticipate that the KODIAK should arrive sometime around the fall of this year, and you'll be hearing more about its upcoming arrival right here on the KODIAK Project blog. Stay tuned.

JAARS Kodiak No.8 progresses toward completion

Take a look at these photos of KODIAK serial number 8 as it is being assembled at the Quest Aircraft factory in Sandpoint, ID.



In the two photos above, you can see the keel being laid. Below, you can see more parts being assembled and the project board showing an estimated delivery date of September 9!

Once completed, the KODIAK will be used within the US for training purposes before heading to Papua New Guinea in early 2009. Thank you for your prayers for JAARS and the KODIAK Project.

Flight training underway at Quest Learning Center

Four pilots have completed the Initial Training Course for the KODIAK since the company received FAA/Industry Training Standard (FITS) approval for its program earlier this year. Quest designed its own training program after reviewing other approved programs and with input from experienced industry professionals.

“We looked at several options for providing initial training for the KCDIAK, and concluded that it made the most sense to do it ourselves,” said Paul Schaller, Quest President and CEO. “We also saw it as an opportunity to build a closer relationship with our customers as well as get timely feedback on the KODIAK for future improvements. In designing the program, we felt it wasimportant to be in compliance with the FITS tenets.”

FITS was developed in 2004 as part of the FAA’s Safer Skies Initiative to better train pilots flying Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) with glass cockpits. The KODIAK’s flight deck features the Garmin three-panel G1000 system with two primary flight displays (PFDs) flanking a centrally located multi-function display (MFD).

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Quest begins production on JAARS KODIAK No.8

Quest Aircraft Company recently sent out a prayer request asking its prayer partners to pray for the production of JAARS Serial Number Eight:

"Please be in prayer for skill and wisdom as we build it (Serial Number Eight) and for the brothers and sisters we will meet in heaven who were reached by the Lord through this tool."

In January, Quest announced the first customer delivery of the KODIAK. The completed aircraft which is Serial Number 002 was delivered to Spirit Air in a presentation ceremony Friday, January 25, at the company's headquarters. JAARS is the first mission organization slated to receive a KODIAK sometime this summer where it will be shipped to Papua New Guinea after training and maintenance operations.

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