Tuesday July 17, 2007 | Clayton Scott Field, Renton, Washington... It doesn't get much bigger or better than this. We've done it! With the granting of TC A00007SE the FAA has certified the KODIAK. Jeff Duven (Manager of the FAA Seattle ACO) and Paul Schaller (President and CEO of Quest) seal the deal with a handshake.
The day started with meetings and one last lunch together. Then we all met out at Renton Municipal Airport. Here’s the certification team.
Left to right: John Hed (Flight Test Engineer, FAA Flight Test Branch), Kenny Stidham (Test Pilot, Quest), Ed Kolano (Test Pilot, FAA Flight Test Branch), Jeff Morfitt (Program Manager, FAA Seattle ACO), Wolf Caliebe (Manager, FAA MIDO), Jeff Duven (Manager, FAA Seattle ACO), Steve Palmer (Principle Inspector, FAA MIDO), Paul Schaller (President and CEO, Quest), Chad Bryan (Quality Assurance, Quest), John Thomas (Certification, Quest), Anna Nystrom (Certification, Quest), and KODIAK s/n 001 (Conforming Production Aircraft, Quest).
Jeff Morfitt talks about a plane that has become a significant part of his life. Thank you Jeff for your tireless effort on this project.
After a final inspection there was another chance for Ed Kolano to climb into the cockpit and strike a KODIAK pose that seemed somehow fitting.
Paul Schaller and Jeff Duven take a moment to discuss the future of the KODIAK.
And then all that was left was for Paul to climb into the left seat and take KODIAK and the Quest team home.
Parting Words
"As we moved through the certification process, the KODIAK met or exceeded every program milestone. The KODIAK was designed with and for mission and humanitarian aviation organizations to perform under extremely rigorous conditions in the most remote regions of the world so the bar was set high. During both Quest's and the FAA's testing, we pushed the envelope and are pleased that the airplane successfully achieved the desired performance.”
“We are very grateful for the dedicated team of Quest employees and suppliers who worked together to accomplish this remarkable milestone. They have worked tirelessly to make the vision for the KODIAK a reality. We appreciate as well the hard work on the part of the FAA in helping us bring this project to fruition."
Paul Schaller
Quest Aircraft President and CEO