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Reach Aviation Reveals New Missionary Bush Aircraft

Turboprop concept springs from the mind of Quest Kodiak designer Tom Hamilton.

Reach Aviation AC-6 Atlas [Credit: Reach Aviation]

Reach Aviation, a Priest River, Idaho, company founded a decade ago by legendary Glasair, GlaStar, and Quest (now Daher) Kodiak designer Tom Hamilton, unveiled the AC-6 Atlas, a concept utility aircraft intended for missionary work, but potentially attractive to private backcountry pilots.

The turboprop single looks a lot like the Kodiak but is built using a mix of old-and new-school methods, in an effort to lower operating costs in part by simplifying maintenance. Indeed, the company said much of the aircraft will be serviceable to FAA standards in the field without specialized equipment.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast who has been a reporter, writer and columnist for 35 years. His career includes stints with the Wall Street Journal, Flying Magazine and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He recently returned to Firecrown to lead Aviation Consumer.