Quest Kodiak for Sale — Buy or Sell a Kodiak 100 or Kodiak 900 Turboprop Worldwide
The Quest Kodiak — encompassing the Kodiak 100 and the newer Kodiak 900 — is one of the most purpose-built and operationally successful backcountry and mission utility turboprops in the world. Developed by Quest Aircraft with the explicit goal of combining the STOL capability of a bush aircraft with the reliability and performance of a turboprop, the Kodiak has become the aircraft of choice for missionary aviation organisations, humanitarian relief agencies, bush operators, and private owners who need to access remote, unprepared airstrips with maximum payload and absolute reliability. Quest Kodiak aircraft for sale command strong prices on the used market and are consistently in high demand worldwide. Airplane Trade is the premier marketplace to find and list Kodiak aircraft globally.
Development and Mission of the Quest Kodiak
Quest Aircraft was founded in Sandpoint, Idaho, in 2001 by a team of engineers and mission aviation professionals with a clear mandate: to design the ideal aircraft for humanitarian aviation in the developing world — an aircraft that could carry maximum payload from minimum runway length with maximum reliability and minimum maintenance complexity. The Kodiak 100 received FAA certification in 2007 and immediately attracted major customers including Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Radio Service). The design prioritised large payload, STOL performance from strips as short as 705 feet, simple and robust construction, and a spacious cargo-accessible cabin. The Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engine provides 750 shp of reliable turboprop power with the world's most extensive support network. In 2021, Daher acquired Quest Aircraft, bringing the Kodiak programme into the same family as the TBM series. The Kodiak 900, introduced in 2022, features a more powerful PT6A-140A engine and significantly improved cruise speed while retaining the original's outstanding STOL credentials.
Kodiak Variants
- Kodiak 100 — PT6A-34 engine, 750 shp; Garmin G1000 NXi avionics; 10 seats (pilot + 9); MTOW 7,255 lb; short-field takeoff over 50 ft obstacle: 1,302 ft; the proven workhorse variant with the largest used-market fleet.
- Kodiak 100 Series II — Refinements to systems and interior; Garmin G1000 NXi with latest software; improved fuel efficiency; the most current Kodiak 100 specification before the 900.
- Kodiak 900 — PT6A-140A engine, 900 shp; Garmin G3000 avionics suite; significantly higher cruise speed (210 knots vs 175 knots); increased useful load; same outstanding STOL performance; the current production flagship.
Performance — Kodiak 100
- Engine — Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-34, 750 shp
- Maximum Cruise Speed — 175 knots TAS at 10,000 ft
- Range — 1,132 nm (with standard fuel, IFR reserves)
- Service Ceiling — 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
- Rate of Climb — 1,350 ft/min (sea level, MTOW)
- MTOW — 7,255 lb (3,290 kg)
- Useful Load — Up to 3,530 lb (1,601 kg)
- Takeoff Over 50 ft Obstacle — 1,302 ft (397 m) at MTOW, sea level
- Landing Over 50 ft Obstacle — 1,006 ft (307 m)
- Fuel Type — Jet-A
- Seating — Pilot + up to 9 passengers
- Cargo Door — Large aft double door, 45 x 48 inches
What Makes the Kodiak Exceptional
The Quest Kodiak's design philosophy prioritises operational capability over aesthetics, and every major design decision reflects the demanding requirements of remote area operations. The large aft cargo door — 45 by 48 inches — allows bulky humanitarian cargo, medical equipment, motorcycles, and construction materials to be loaded without disassembly. The fixed undercarriage eliminates the complexity, maintenance requirements, and failure modes associated with retractable gear, while the rugged gear design absorbs rough-strip landings gracefully. The high-wing configuration provides excellent ground clearance for propeller protection and keeps the cabin floor accessible for loading. The Garmin G1000 avionics suite provides full glass-panel situational awareness including terrain warning, traffic display, and weather radar compatibility. The Kodiak's payload capacity — up to 3,530 lb — is extraordinary for a single-engine turboprop and allows it to carry a full complement of nine passengers with their luggage plus a meaningful freight payload in a single trip that would require multiple smaller aircraft to replicate.
Buying a Quest Kodiak — Key Considerations
- Engine Hours (TTSN/SMOH) — PT6A-34 engines are time-limited to 3,600 hours TBO; assess hours carefully and budget $150,000-$200,000 for overhaul; mission aviation Kodiaks may accumulate high cycles quickly.
- Operational History — Many Kodiaks have operated in demanding humanitarian environments; request complete maintenance logs and inspect for any corrosion, hard landing damage, or deferred maintenance.
- Configuration — Assess the current interior layout (passenger, combi, full cargo); reconfiguration costs can be significant.
- Avionics Currency — Garmin G1000 software updates are released regularly; verify software currency and budget for periodic updates.
- Export Compliance — Kodiaks operated by mission aviation organisations overseas may require export licensing review before repatriation to the US.
Find Your Quest Kodiak on Airplane Trade
Airplane Trade is the premier global marketplace for the Quest Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900. Browse verified listings from mission aviation organisations, bush operators, private owners, and Daher-authorised dealers worldwide. Each listing includes complete engine status, configuration details, airframe hours, and direct seller contact. Whether you need a proven backcountry workhorse or the latest Kodiak 900 flagship, find your aircraft on Airplane Trade today.