planeandpilotmag.com 47data wirelessly, a new inset map in the HSI on
the PFD, something that sounds like glitz until
you use it...then you want it, and SurfaceWatch
for doing the toughest navigation a lot of us do,
from taxiway to taxiway around the airport’s
ground infrastructure.
Quest also has gotten rid of analog gauges on
the Series II plane, using the excellent L-3 ESI-
500 as the standard standby instrument. Also,
on the glare shield is the SafeFlight ARINC 429
Angle of Attack indicator, which makes nailing
the optimum angle of attack for short-ield work
a piece of cake.
But more than that, the Kodiak Series II pack-
ages a number of new improvements and ones
that Quest incorporated into the airplane over
the years without making a big deal out of it,
including a number of interior reinements that
make the Kodiak not only a powerful backcoun-
try beast but a surprisingly reined one, as well.
here’s improved cockpit storage, built-in oxygen
with headset-mounted cannulas and an optional
O2 conserver and a pair of Bose A20 headsets
with ship’s power plugs as standard.
here are also a few diferent data recorder
options for operators who need the devices
as part of their rules of the road or for those
who simply want the additional peace of mind
they ofer.
One really cool option that wasn’t on the air -
plane I lew is single-point refueling with built-in
computerized fueling management. Single-point
fueling makes adding Jet-A easy and fast, but it’s
more than that, too. Kodiak pilots will occasion-
ally will go into an airport where Jet-A is available
only though single-point service.
Other cabin enhancements include new wing
root fairing seals to more efectively keep outside
air outside, an improved cargo door step mecha-
nism for better ease of use and noise reduction,
better itting sun visors and a number of new
branding features, like leather wrapped yokes
and a big “Kodiak” on the tail that have nothing
to do with lyability and a lot to do with making
a statement. Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t want
to show of their cool ride?
Additionally, the Kodiak I lew, a 2018 model
fresh of the production line, was outitted with
big tires, the Timberline interior, a TKS FIKI-
approved anti-icing system with enough capacity
for two and a half hours of light in moderate
icing conditions.FLYING THE KODIAK
Ice was not at issue when I lew the Kodiak on a
beautiful hot early summer day the other week.
Mark Brown, Quest’s director of sales and fellow
PHOTO: SCOTT SLOCUMCessna 195 fanatic, brought the Kodiak to Redbird