News
Viking boosts Trans Maldivian Airways Flying Green Fund
June 4, 2012, Sidney, B.C. - Viking Air Limited, manufacturer of the 400 Series Twin Otter, held an Operator’s Conference April 17-19 in Sidney and one of the events hosted for participants was a themed gala dinner with a charity auction.
June 4, 2012 By Carey Fredericks
The event was well supported with about 400 guests in attendance from all walks of the aviation industry. David Curtis, Viking president/CEO, had arranged nine original paintings of the de Havilland aircraft family to be auctioned off to raise money for the “Flying Green Fund” which he was exceptionally keen to support after visiting the Maldives in February 2012.
The artwork that was auctioned was produced by a local British Columbia artist, Trisha Oldfield, who splits her time between the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Canada and the culturally diverse town of Todos Santos, Mexico. It is these surroundings that influence her work, which usually features animals and water life. Trisha’s primary medium is acrylic on canvas in which she uses a natural and warm palette to colour her subject matter.
Although she holds a traditional approach to her paintings, her works possess a distinctive contemporary style, a result of her strong background and experience in graphic design. It is because of this background and style that Trisha was commissioned to paint the de Havilland aircraft in the various backdrops these aircraft became most commonly recognized with.
Prior to the auction, Edward Alsford, Managing Director of Trans Maldivian Airways, was invited to the stage to educate and hype up the audience about the “Flying Green Fund” and the challenges that the Maldives face.
The support that the charity received that night was overwhelming, in a matter of forty-five minutes a staggering $29,750 was raised from nine paintings, the final picture of the 400 Series Twin Otter raised an astonishing $9,500, with the winning bid generously made by Mr. Charles Niforos of Newcal Aviation.
Trans Maldivian Airways introduced “The Flying Green Fund” in 2011 and would like to thank Viking Air for donating these unique paintings for auction as well as all the charitable buyers who contributed so generously to “The Flying Green Fund” who in turn have provided the charity with a tremendous boost.
Trans Maldivian Airways firmly believes in the vulnerability and the adverse effects of climate change on the precious and pristine islands of Maldives and its beauty and serenity. Thus the purpose of the “Flying Green Fund” is to engage in environmental projects throughout the Maldives both small and large. “The Flying Green Fund” is currently preparing to embark on a second environmental project in the coming months.
Viking launched the new DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 production program in 2007, and currently has a production backlog estimated at over $350M. Viking provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland heritage line of aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7), and is part of Westerkirk Capital Inc., a Canadian private investment firm with substantial holdings in the hospitality, aviation and real estate sectors.
