- News
- Apr 15, 2024
- 4 min read
Daher Expands TBM and Kodiak Production
Parallel production lines for final assembly of Kodiak aircraft from stage 3 through stage 6 are now operating at Daher’s facility in Sandpoint, Idaho.
According to Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher’s Aircraft division, Daher plans to increase aircraft production this year to 60 single-seat TBM turboprop aircraft and 25 Kodiak utility turboprop aircraft. Last year, the aircraft manufacturer delivered 56 TBM 910s and 960s from its facility in Tarbes, France, and 18 Kodiak 100s and 900s from its facility in Sandpoint, Idaho. The backlog for both product lines is now about two years, Chabbert noted.
The 40% increase in Kodiak deliveries will be supported by the recent reorganization of Kodiak production in Sandpoint. Chabbert said parallel assembly lines had been introduced, with mirrored assembly of the Kodiak 100/900 from stages 3 through 6. These stages cover mating the wing and horizontal stabilizer, integration and outfitting of the flight control system, engine and avionics installation, first flight, interior completion, and customer servicing.
“These parallel assembly lines were developed using our internal resources,” explained Kerry Olson, Daher’s director of Kodiak operations and Sandpoint site manager. “Parallel production was launched ahead of schedule.”
The increase in production capacity followed other improvements in Sandpoint, including a 9,000-sq.-ft. aircraft paint shop costing $2.7 million.
To date, 330 Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900 aircraft have been delivered to customers. The latest Kodiak 900—the seventh to date—was handed over to a private owner last month. Chabbert said Kodiak 900 production is now running at a rate of one aircraft per month.
Meanwhile, Daher’s plans to increase TBM and Kodiak production at its facility in Stuart, Florida, continue to move forward, according to Daher vice president of human resources for North America Christopher Gonzalez. The company plans to begin construction of a combined TBM and Kodiak production facility later this year, while TBM assembly is expected to begin operations there for the first time in late 2025 or early 2026.
According to Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher’s Aircraft division, Daher plans to increase aircraft production this year to 60 single-seat TBM turboprop aircraft and 25 Kodiak utility turboprop aircraft. Last year, the aircraft manufacturer delivered 56 TBM 910s and 960s from its facility in Tarbes, France, and 18 Kodiak 100s and 900s from its facility in Sandpoint, Idaho. The backlog for both product lines is now about two years, Chabbert noted.
The 40% increase in Kodiak deliveries will be supported by the recent reorganization of Kodiak production in Sandpoint. Chabbert said parallel assembly lines had been introduced, with mirrored assembly of the Kodiak 100/900 from stages 3 through 6. These stages cover mating the wing and horizontal stabilizer, integration and outfitting of the flight control system, engine and avionics installation, first flight, interior completion, and customer servicing.
“These parallel assembly lines were developed using our internal resources,” explained Kerry Olson, Daher’s director of Kodiak operations and Sandpoint site manager. “Parallel production was launched ahead of schedule.”
Sponsored by Jet24 global
The increase in production capacity followed other improvements in Sandpoint, including a 9,000-sq.-ft. aircraft paint shop costing $2.7 million.
To date, 330 Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900 aircraft have been delivered to customers. The latest Kodiak 900—the seventh to date—was handed over to a private owner last month. Chabbert said Kodiak 900 production is now running at a rate of one aircraft per month.
Meanwhile, Daher’s plans to increase TBM and Kodiak production at its facility in Stuart, Florida, continue to move forward, according to Daher vice president of human resources for North America Christopher Gonzalez. The company plans to begin construction of a combined TBM and Kodiak production facility later this year, while TBM assembly is expected to begin operations there for the first time in late 2025 or early 2026.
Popular tags:
