 An Airtransit DHC-6 Twin Otter at Ottawa airport | |
| Commenced operations | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 1975 |
| Hubs | Victoria STOLport, Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport |
| Fleet size | 6 |
| Destinations | 2 |
| Parent company | Air Canada |
Airtransit was a Canadian airline that provided short take-off and landing (STOL) service between Ottawa and Montreal. A subsidiary of Air Canada (then a Crown corporation), the airline operated from 1973-1976 before closing due to poor business.
In 1970, the Science Council of Canada recommended that the government of Canada immediately invest in industrial development of the aviation industry, including construction of aircraft, navigation aids, and regulation of air traffic. [1] The government began these projects shortly after the Science Council's report. [2]
A subsidiary of Air Canada called Airtransit was founded by the government in 1973. Transport Canada developed the airline as a "pilot program" to test the feasibility of a link between the Victoria STOLport in Montreal and Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport in Ottawa, using an eleven seat De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, and later the De Havilland Canada Dash 7.,,. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
The service quickly ran into spending issues. Budget cuts at Air Canada, slow development of the Dash-7, noise concerns from citizens in Ottawa and Montreal, and inadequate infrastructure at Victoria STOLport forced Transport Canada to prematurely cancel the project in 1976. [7] [4] [6] [8]
| Destination | Period |
|---|---|
| Montreal (Victoria) | 1974-1976 |
| Ottawa (Rockcliffe) | 1974-1976 |
Originally used as bush planes, the Twin Otters used by Airtransit were modified specifically for business travellers on short distance trips. The aircraft were equipped with oversized disc brakes and traction control as well as spoilers for the wings, a de-icing system for the propeller blades, emergency brakes, protection against engine fire, and autopilot in case of damage. [9]
The cabin had twenty seats and eleven windows, as well as one toilet, a cloakroom and air conditioning. [9]
| Model | Image | Number | Years operated | Registration Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHC-6 Twin Otter |  | 6 | 1974-1976 | CF-CST, CF-CSU, CF-CSV, CF-CSW, CF-CSX, CF-CSY |
A short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft has short runway requirements for takeoff and landing. Many STOL-designed aircraft also feature various arrangements for use on runways with harsh conditions. STOL aircraft, including those used in scheduled passenger airline operations, have also been operated from STOLport airfields which feature short runways.
The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, currently marketed as the Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter, is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL capabilities, twin turboprop engines and high rate of climb have made it a successful commuter passenger airliner as well as a cargo and medical evacuation aircraft. In addition, the Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations, and is used by the United States Army Parachute Team and the United States Air Force's 98th Flying Training Squadron.
The de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter is a single-engined, high-wing, propeller-driven, short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada. It was conceived to be capable of performing the same roles as the earlier and highly successful Beaver, including as a bush plane, but is overall a larger aircraft.
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De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. is an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The original home of de Havilland Canada was the home of the Canadian Air and Space Museum located in what is now Downsview Park.
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Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport or Rockcliffe Airport,, a former military base, is a non-towered airport located on the south shore of the Ottawa River, 4 nautical miles northeast of Downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The airport is the home of the Canada Aviation Museum, which owns the field, and is used and maintained by the Rockcliffe Flying Club.
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Victoria STOLport(IATA: YMY, ICAO: CYMY) was a short take-off and landing aerodrome near downtown Montreal during the mid-1970s. The STOLport had been constructed on the former parking lot for Expo 67. The airport operated a two-year STOL demonstration service, with the participation of the Ministry of Transportation, the Canadian Air Transport Administration and other Federal Agencies in order to obtain and evaluate the data on passengers and economics of the STOL service. The choice of the route fell on the Montreal – Ottawa corridor, between which 2.5 million people travelled every year.
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Air Pacific was a commuter airline based in the United States that operated regional flights wholly within the state of California. Founded as Eureka Aero in 1970, it was renamed Air Pacific in 1979. Its de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and DHC-7 Dash 7 turboprop aircraft were capable of STOL operations.
Metro Airlines, originally Houston Metro Airlines, was a commuter airline that was originally headquartered in Houston, Texas, United States,. Metro subsequently moved its headquarters to north Texas. The airline had an operational base located on the grounds of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and also had offices on the airport property and in Grapevine, Texas. Metro evolved into an airline holding company with the acquisition or creation of a number of different airlines, including as the banner carrier operating feeder services for Eastern Airlines as Eastern Metro Express which was based in Atlanta, GA and Metroflight Airlines which operated American Eagle service from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1993, and the assets were acquired by AMR Simmons Airlines.
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