STANDARD DATA: Seats 9-10. Gross wt. 8,000. Empty wt. 4,431. Fuel capacity 214. Engine 600-hp Pratt & Whitney. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 160. Cruise mph 132. Stall mph 58. Initial climb rate 850. Range 875. Ceiling 18,800. Takeoff distance (50′) 1,155. Landing distance (50′) 880. |
The Otter began production in 1951 as a larger complement to the Beaver. Like the Beaver, it has found favor with military as well as civilian operators who demand a great deal from their airplanes. By early 1966, a total of 460 Otters had been produced, many of which went to the U.S. Army under the U-IB designation. The R.C.A.F. uses Otters in Arctic search and rescue missions, paratroop drops, and aerial photographic duties. The United States has employed them in a wide range of areas from the Antarctic to Vietnam.