Originally Posted by
MX Trainer
Everyone
The differences between the DHC-6 TwinOtter and the Beech could just be in the certification process - DHC had to be certified to the Canadian standards while the Beech was certified to the USA standards.
Also the TwinOtter is missing the Weight On Wheels system - many aircraft spend a good portion of their life on floats - so possibly this is the reason for the different interconnects that needed to be made before allowing the power lever into reverse. IIRC the TwinOtter had 3 things that had to happen - prop lever fully forward, flaps selected and in the approach position, and activation of the twist grip to get the power lever below the flight idle position. It is easy to get into reverse in the air with the TwinOtter - and no it is NOT APPROVED!!!
Thank s Mx. Could be that the Canadian certification authorities insisted on some sort of blocking mechanism concerning propeller lever position and reverse capability. Whatever the reason, I think it is a safety hazard based on the STOL type work done by the DHC-6.
As for flap position having anything to do with reverse on the DHC-6....I don't think there is any relation between the two as can be seen in this cool video of a Twin Otter going backwards with the flaps up.