Reims-Cessna F406 Vigilant

The Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II was produced between 1983 and 2013 by Reims Aviation in France until the company ceased trading. The F406 is a twin-engined utility aircraft which was developed from the Cessna 402/404 Titan with more powerful turboprop engines. Eventually, 99 of these aircraft were built and they have been popular as a surveillance platform or as a light passenger transport, its twin-engine design allowing it to comply with European commercial flight regulations more easily than the single-engined Cessna 208 Caravan range.

Airtask Group provide a variety of aviation solutions to civilian and military clients providing environmental research and surveillance services, including operating the FAAM BAe-146 airborne laboratory. In addition, Airtask operate an inter-island passenger service between the Inner Hebrides, Stornoway, the Western Isles and the Shetland Isles. The company are contracted by both the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Defence to provide a fisheries surveillance/enforcement capability using a pair of modified Caravan IIs which are also used to conduct range safety surveillance of the Hebrides weapons ranges on behalf of QinetiQ.

In support of our Eyes in the Skies theme for RIAT25, Airtask will be providing one of their specialised Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II surveillance aircraft for static display.

For more information about Airtask and their surveillance missions, you can visit their website at www.airtask.com

Photo Credit: MLG