Seaplanes

Inland Air Charters Ltd. operates the DeHavilland Beaver DHC-2 . All of our planes are equipped with floats and have been selected for our operations because they are well suited to the coastal conditions in which we fly. 

De Havilland Beaver

The De Havilland Beaver is an icon of Canadas bush country, and was purpose-built in Canada for operation in rugged and remote areas. Their practical durability has earned them acceptance in some 60 countries around the globe. More Beavers were built in Canada than any other aircraft, and in 1987, the Canadian Engineering Centennial Board named the DHC-2 Beaver as one of Canada's ten most important engineering achievements in the 20th century.

The Beaver, a reliable, single-engine monoplane, is known for its short take-off and landing capability, even with a full payload. It can be fitted with wheels, skis or floats. The plane was in production from 1948 until 1967 and 1,657 Beavers were manufactured. Although the Beaver is currently out-of-production, hundreds of these aircraft are still in daily use.

Viking Air, located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada manufactures replacement parts and in 2006 acquired the exclusive right to manufacture new Beavers. There is speculation that production of the DHC-2 Beaver may restart.

Today, a Beaver that originally sold in the 1950s for under US $50,000 can now be seen for sale at prices reaching $500,000 USD.

General Characteristics

  • Crew: One Pilot

  • Capacity: 6 Passengers

  • Length: 30 ft 3 in (9.22 m)

  • Wingspan: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)

  • Height: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)

  • Wing area: 250 ft= (23.2 m=)

  • Empty: 3,400 lb (1,542 kg)

  • Loaded: 5,100 lb (2,310 kg)

  • Useful load: 1,200 lb (544 kg)

  • Powerplant: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. radial engine, 450 hp (335 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 158 mph (255 km/h)

  • Range: 455 miles (732 km)

  • Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)

  • Rate of climb: 1,020 ft/min (5.2 m/s)

  • Cruise Speed: 110 mph (177 km/h)