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Quest Aircraft has secured FAA approval for a TKS Tank installation on the KODIAK. Quest Aircraft Photo
Quest Aircraft Company has received FAA approval for a TKS Tank installation in the KODIAK cargo pod. This optional TKS tank will be available for production KODIAKs after the first of the year. A retrofit installation for KODIAKs in the field will also be available.
“The Flight Into Known Ice (FIKI) TKS ice protection system currently available for the KODIAK features a cockpit console mounting for the tank,” said Sam Hill, CEO of Quest Aircraft. “This new Quest-designed system puts the TKS tank in the forward section of the cargo pod. The installation frees up cabin space, an enhancement we know many of our customers will appreciate.”
The new optional TKS tank allows operators with airplanes configured with the TKS Ice Protection System to keep the aisle clear between the left and right crew seat and provides for a roomier cockpit and cabin. The optional TKS tank is installed in the forward portion of the cargo pod just aft of the firewall. There is no reduction in cargo weight capacity, and only a slight decrease of volume in the forward cargo bay. Once the G1000 is configured for the installation, the system works exactly like the cockpit console tank. In addition, the tank can be filled from the exterior of the aircraft, so there is no need for any fluid in the cabin, thus eliminating the possibility of spills. The tank has the same capacity of 16 gallons of fluid as the center console tank.
The KODIAK’s rugged aluminum construction combines superior STOL performance and high useful load. It offers proven turbine reliability with the Pratt & Whitney PT6 turbine engine, has the ability to land and take off from unimproved surfaces and is capable of working off floats without structural upgrades. The KODIAK can take off in under 1,000 feet at full gross takeoff weight of 7,255 pounds and climb at over 1,300 feet per minute. Quest has seen strong market acceptance in key market segments around the world, including personal use, Part 135 operations, government, and humanitarian organizations. The KODIAK is certified in 17 countries, with several additional certifications imminent.
