Ottawa, Canada, June 23, 2010 – Sander Geophysics (SGL) has taken delivery of a de Havilland DHC-6 300 Twin Otter survey aircraft to support continued high demand for SGL’s airborne geophysical services. Founded in 1956, Sander Geophysics has grown to be the largest independently owned airborne survey company in the world. With a head office located in Ottawa, Canada, SGL flies airborne geophysical surveys worldwide for petroleum and mineral exploration, and environmental mapping.
Formerly operated by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and the British Geological Survey (BGS), the aircraft comes equipped with a frequency-domain electromagnetic system, a stinger mounted magnetometer, and a radiometric system. This “3 in 1” system has been used extensively in Europe and Africa to produce excellent quality very high resolution geophysical data. The addition of SGL’s industry leading AIRGrav airborne gravity system will provide a unique suite of geophysical survey systems for mineral and petroleum exploration. The aircraft is especially well suited to harsh environments where a twin turbine aircraft is preferable, such as offshore arctic surveys. With this new addition to the fleet, SGL now owns and operates 16 aircraft, all extensively modified for airborne geophysical surveying. The Twin Otter’s reliable turbine engines, fixed landing gear, STOL capabilities and high rate of climb/descent make it an excellent survey aircraft, similar in performance to SGL’s eight Cessna Grand Caravans.
This aircraft has been operating under Finnish civil aviation registration OH-KOG and will be transferred to SGL’s Air Operator Certificate under Canadian registration C-GSGF. SGL would like to thank GTK and BGS for the opportunity to purchase this system, and for their ongoing cooperation and assistance.
Sander Geophysics specializes in airborne gravity, magnetic, radiometric and electromagnetic surveys. Airborne gravity surveys are flown with AIRGrav, SGL’s purpose-built airborne gravimeter. AIRGrav continues to be the system of choice for airborne gravity surveying and to replace ground gravity surveys. SGL now has a total of 12 AIRGrav systems in operation.