Twin Otter

BayAreaPilot

BayAreaPilot

New Member
This question is for alaskaairlines or anyone else who has flown a twin otter. I was just checking out pics of the cockpit and saw that the throttle quadrant is on the ceiling. This seems odd to me and seems as though it would be very awkward to fly that way. So how is it to fly and does anyone know why they did this?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
No Monkeys - otters do not swing from the roof top! If you look at the yoke, you will soon understand why they were on the roof. I am sure after a couple hours you would not know the difference.
 
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They did that so monkeys could fly it.

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Yes, monkeys and break-dancing bears. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Well, thats just the way DeHavvilland does things. There isn't a whole lot of room to set up the throttle quadrant in the center like many other airplanes and the Otter was designed to do rugged flying, so I'm assuming the throttles being up on top is DeHavillands way of making it rugged.
It doesn't take much time to get used to it, its no big deal at all.
The single otter has its throttle quadrant up high on the panel.
The Twotter is absolutely an amazing airplane and I love to fly it! One negative is its SLOW, but out in the bush thats what its all about.

Overall it wouldn't take a pilot much to get used to it imo. I got hired to fly it with 14 ME hours and didn't have any problems making the transition. The key to success in any larger airplane is think ahead, work hard and keep your instrument skills up to speed.

Any more questions?
 
Funny you should ask!

NASA was here (Western Michigan University) yesterday to give a great presentation on icing for our instructors. The research pilots and engineers brought, of course, the NASA Twin Otter they use as an icing test bed. The topic of aircraft handling was brought up and they said the TO is a GREAT, docile, fun plane to fly. They also mentioned how it took all of them a few hours to get used to the throttle position, but that it was actually a very logical location for a high wing aircraft with two engines. The throttle cables are easier to access and maintain since they take the shortest route possible by being mounted where they are.

Now, some of the things they do to that thing in the daily course of icing tests might take a little longer to grow accustomed to . . .
 
Very true. I have seen the NASA video were they fly that Otter in different iciing conditions. They sure push the limit to the fullest! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif The throttles being up high is really no big deal at all.
 
I have about 350 hours in Twotters and enjoyed the overhead power and prop controls. Kind of went with the high wing. It's also cool to see those big PT-6's out there slung underneath the high wing. An endearing plane, even if older and slow. Of course, good STOL characteristics, if you get to use them.

Oh, by the way, I think, but am not sure, that the various Twin Commanders also have overhead power and prop controls.
 
The turbo commander has the standard lower throttle quad. The elevator trim is located up on the top though, and that takes some getting used to.
 
Maybe it was the Commanders' high wing design I was thinking of. But, again, I liked the overhead in the Twotters.
 
Anthoter things is they are very reliable if maintained well. Some of our Otters have around 90,000 cycles and are still going hard at it! All you have to do when a certain amount of cycles is reached you just replace the wing (s) and keep flying. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I got to ride up front on a single-otter in Alaska back in 2003. What a great time!

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Yup! Flew out to the Misty Fjords!

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I see. Floats are a blast! Wish I could fly the Twin Otter on floats - that would be a lifetime experience! Then again I'd have to get my float ratings.
 
Hey Alaska....

I hear ERA is a hard one to get on with. Mind giving the 30 second version of how you did it?

BTW, when I was working in Port Alsworth this summer we had the CEO of Connoco/Phillips stay at one of the lodge's in the town. Apparently his company had charted an ERA Twin Otter just for him. It was kinda fun to watch him come and go...

CJ
 
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Hey Alaska....

I hear ERA is a hard one to get on with. Mind giving the 30 second version of how you did it?

BTW, when I was working in Port Alsworth this summer we had the CEO of Connoco/Phillips stay at one of the lodge's in the town. Apparently his company had charted an ERA Twin Otter just for him. It was kinda fun to watch him come and go...

CJ

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Take a look at my perspective. If you have any further questions, let me know. I'm having a blast and believe it or not I was able to hold ANC right out of GS. All the BET crews were given the options to bid into ANC, and all said no. I'm sure they'll be regretting that in about 1 month! When its 30 below, blowing forty and they have to fly in the 500/2! Its good experience though.
 
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