Aviation News – Aircraft manufacturer Daher announced the official delivery of Europe’s first Kodiak 900 turboprop to Swiss aviators Roland and Claudia Primus, marking the model’s debut on the continent. The couple will utilize the versatile multi-mission aircraft for high-altitude adventure flying and remote sports expeditions across Europe and Greenland.
The Primus family took delivery of the aircraft earlier this month at Daher Aircraft’s primary manufacturing and assembly facility in Sandpoint, Idaho. Transitioning from a smaller Cessna 182, the owners plan to base the Kodiak 900 at Bad Ragaz Aerodrome (LSZE) in Switzerland. This milestone delivery expands the presence of Daher’s rugged single-engine turboprop family in the European private aviation market. Daher officially highlighted the continent’s debut during its press conference at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, where the company showcased the Kodiak 900 alongside its TBM 980 flagship.
Compared to its predecessor, the Kodiak 900 delivers significantly expanded cabin volume, faster cruising speeds, and superior payload capabilities without compromising short-field agility. The Primuses selected the high-performance utility aircraft to access remote, unpaved locations for mountain biking in the Alps and Pyrenees, surf expeditions on the Baltic Sea, and ski touring along Greenland’s icy western coastline. Engineered to operate out of constrained backcountry environments, the aircraft seamlessly fits the couple’s operational requirements at Bad Ragaz, which features a demanding 495-meter (1,624-foot) runway.
Equipped with advanced aerodynamics and a powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-430B engine, the Kodiak 900 combines rugged backcountry performance with modern flight deck technology. Its specialized landing gear and high-lift wing configuration enable steep approaches and short landings on unpaved surfaces while delivering a high-speed cruise of 210 knots. This unique balance of speed and backcountry utility allows operators to comfortably ferry heavy equipment, extreme sports gear, and passengers across long distances into short, isolated landing strips.
“The delivery of the first Kodiak 900 in Europe underscores the growing demand for highly capable utility turboprops that do not sacrifice speed or luxury,” stated Daher leadership during the NBAA-BACE presentation. “This aircraft opens up new horizons for private operators who require true off-grid capability alongside modern long-range performance.”
As backcountry utility flying gains momentum across international markets, the introduction of the Kodiak 900 positions Daher to capture a growing share of the owner-flyer segment in Europe. The successful operation of the aircraft on short European grass strips will likely inspire other private and commercial mission operators to consider high-payload turboprops over traditional piston aircraft. Moving forward, Daher continues to scale production in Idaho to meet global backorders and expand its international customer support network.
