In the early days of Canadian Aviation, Canada was largely
dependent on aircraft designed for European climates.
In a letter, accompanied by a questionnaire, dated November 20th, 1946, de Havilland Canada asked Canadian pilots for their input on what would be the ideal Canadian bush plane. With the feedback they got, de Havilland designed the Beaver and, later, the Otter.
Canada is mostly comprised of undeveloped land dotted with thousands lakes and rivers. To take advantage of its resources, aircraft with special capabilities are needed, such as the ability to take off and land in short distances. This is called "STOL" for short take-off and landing and de Havilland Canada has been producing some of the world's most respected STOL aircraft ever since its beginnings. The Beaver and Otter are perhaps the world's most famous STOL bush planes.
Not only can they take off and land where other aircraft can't, but they're extremely rugged - important when the nearest mechanic is a thousand miles away - and extremely adaptable; Beavers and Otters have been created to land on water, land, snow or any combination of the above. Beavers and Otters have even been used to drop water on forest fires.
Because of their adaptability, strength and reliability, de Havilland bush planes are still in demand today, decades after their production ceased.