Inside The $3.5 Million Kodiak 900 Plane

0:00 - Intro
This is the Kodiak 900, an aircraft described by the company as a luxury SUV for the air. Today we’re going inside the Kodiak 900 to talk about everything you need to know about this exciting aircraft, including the real cost of ownership.

0:39 - Cabin
Inside, the Kodiak 900 sits higher in the rear, so a complete redesign of the rear main cargo door was made. Additional steps create an easier entry and exit point for passengers, while also helping to load cargo. The plane can seat nine people, including a pilot and eight passengers, and comes well-equipped with six passenger seats, de-icing capabilities, air conditioning, and supplemental oxygen, among other features. However, the new model comfortably accommodates a double-club cabin configuration of up to 12 people in a commuter setup in countries where that many can be carried in an aircraft in this category.
The 900 is 37 inches or 94 centimeters longer than its predecessor. Each seat is reclining, and has dual armrests, car-style seatbelts, headrests, and includes LEMO aircraft-powered headset jacks, conventional headset jacks, two USB ports, a phone holder, and a cup holder. Overhead, each has a gasper air vent and a light. Cargo tie-downs are embedded in the floor, walls, and ceiling throughout, providing lots of flexibility for hauling gear.
The seats have been specially designed to be easily removed or added to the aircraft depending on need. Upgraded ventilation, heating, and cooling systems were also added to the 900, since the plane can climb to 25,000 feet or 7,620 meters, despite having a non-pressurized cabin. Kodiak added sound dampening to the cabin.

3:18 - Cockpit
In the cockpit, Garmin’s G1000 NXi displays and newly relocated GFC 700 autopilot make for easier and more intuitive flying. Kodiak has also added safety features like WireAware and 3-D audio to increase the pilot’s situational awareness. The cockpit has a synthetic vision system that displays a topographic map to pilots, which is useful when flying in the dark or through clouds.

4:32 - Exterior
The Kodiak 900 has an external cargo compartment in the belly of the plane with the same volume as the optional one on the Kodiak 100, but bays two and three are open to one another. The rear exterior cargo pod and internal space offer the ability to haul heavy loads onto short, narrow runways. A rear hatch flips down so operators can easily load long items, adding to the plane's versatility.

5:06 - Engine and Performance
The single-prop engine saw a bump in horsepower from 750 by using a 900-horsepower Pratt Whitney PT6A-140 that delivers a cruise speed of 210 knots, and a five-blade Hartzell composite propeller.
The extra 150 nominal horsepower is available throughout the Kodiak 900’s operational range, at temperatures up to 99 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius. At the top speed of 210 knots, at 12,000 feet or 3,660 meters, hourly fuel consumption is 58 gallons or 220 liters, yielding 969 nautical miles or 1,795 kilometers over 4.3 hours, with a 45-minute fuel reserve, while at its maximum range cruise speed of 156 knots, hourly fuel consumption is 36 gallons or 136 liters, yielding a maximum range of 1,129 nautical miles or 2,090 kilometers over 6.8 hours. At its max endurance speed of 102 knots, the 900 has a maximum flight time of 9.2 hours. Chabbert notes that the new -140A provides a “good 5% efficiency” over the previous PT6A in the Kodiak.
The 900 is also the first Kodiak to feature single-point refueling. The plane has a takeoff distance ground roll of 1,105 feet or 309 meters, a maximum rate of climb of 1,724 feet or 525 meters per minute, and a minimum landing distance ground roll of 1,460 feet or 445 meters, all while maintaining a useful load of 3,630 lbs or 1,647 kg.
The plane will only cost companies an estimated $300-$400 per hour, mostly because of its 9% lower fuel consumption compared to competitors.
The plane's cruising sweet spot is 10,000 to 12,000 feet, or 3,050 to 3,660 meters. However, the aircraft can fly up to 25,000 feet or 7,620 meters, and has supplemental oxygen for those flights.

9:08 - Purchase and Charter Price
The base purchase price for a new Kodiak 900 is $3.5 million before options, and the charter price ranges between $1,500 and $2,300 per hour judging from the previous Kodiak 100. Naturally, prices will vary depending on availability, fuel prices, ground fees, and more.

9:28 - Operating Cost
While the total fixed cost is roughly $150,000 to $200,000 per year, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $300 to $400.

9:40 - Outro

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