Mounties buy one of Quest’s cool Kodiak aircraft
Sandpoint's Quest Aircraft Company has just delivered a Kodiak airplane to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was handed over this week in Vancouver, British Columbia, with the Kodiak entering service immediately.
As the photo shows, the aircraft is equipped with amphibious floats, making it versatile for landing on all surfaces.
The Kodiak's base price is roughly $1.6 million. The price paid by the Canadian government was not disclosed.
“The fact that they selected the Kodiak as a key addition to their fleet is a testament to the capabilities and the rugged reliability inherent in the aircraft,” said Quest President Paul Schaller in a statement.
The RCMP will use the Kodiak for aerial surveillance, border monitoring, general police work and rescue support. The aircraft is equipped with a roll-up door in addition to the standard cargo door, allowing the RCMP to easily drop supplies and equipment in routine or emergency situations.
Quest Aircraft Company, LLC is the manufacturer of the Kodiak, a 10-place single engine turboprop utility airplane, designed for short takeoff or landing (STOL) use and float capability. Headquartered in Sandpoint, Idaho, the company was established in 2001 and began deliveries of the Kodiak in December 2007.
