6 I AIRCRAFT OPERATOR’S & OWNER’S GUIDE

Dash 8 & Q Series

5,071shp (see table, page 7).
The three main Dash 8 variants have
the same fuel capacity of 835 US Gallons
(USG), while the larger Q400 has a

specifications capacity of 1,724USG. The maximum

range varies from 760nm on the Dash 8-
100 to 1,340nm on the Q400. Maximum
cruise speed varies from 265 knots on the
Dash 8-100 to an impressive 360 knots
There are four main variants of the Dash 8 & on the Q400.
Q400 Series, and several sub-variants. Their The cruise speeds of the three small Q
series variants are comparable at 265-300
specifications are reviewed and listed. knots and, in many cases, exceed those of
other turboprop aircraft. The Q400 in

T
he de Havilland Dash 8 family from line number 408. They also had a fact is just 100 knots slower at 360 knots
of aircraft first entered into new, more spacious cabin design, with than smaller regional jets, such as the
service in 1984 with the Dash 8- insulation and acoustically sealed joints, CRJ.
100 variant. The Dash 8-200 to absorb and reduce noise. In 2000, the Bombardier is currently assessing the
and -300 followed in 1995 and 1989. larger Q400 with additional seat capacity benefits of further stretching and
The Dash 8-200 has the same fuselage was introduced. This was a stretched developing the Q400 into a Q400X
length and seat capacity as the Dash 8- version of the Q300, with newer, more variant, to take advantage of increased
100, but the -200 has more powerful powerful engines, 68-78 seats, and the passenger loads on many turboprop
engines. These give it a 30-knot faster ANVS system as standard. The Q400 routes, as well as assisting operators to
cruise speed than the -100 (see table, page also has a higher cruise speed than the reduce unit cost per seat-mile.
7). The Dash 8-300 is a stretched variant three smaller variants (see table, page 7). With the Q100 and Q200 seating just
with an additional 13-17 seats. Bombardier has recently started re- 37-39 passengers, only one cabin crew
In 1996 Bombardier renamed the launching many of its aircraft types as member or flight attendant is needed,
Dash 8 family the Q Series, after adding next generation (NextGen) aircraft. The with the standard flightcrew of two
the active noise and vibration suppression Q400 is no exception, with its NextGen pilots. The Q300 seats 50-56, but once
system (ANVS), which reduces the noise development being announced in March seat numbers exceed 50, an additional
and vibration levels inside the aircraft’s 2008 (see page 7). flight attendant is needed.
cabin. The Q stands for quiet, which is At the same time, Bombardier also The Q400 requires two flight
enabled by an intricate system of stated that production of the Q200 and attendants, although the Q400NextGen
microphones and a computer that Q300 will cease in May 2009, along with will accommodate an additional third
initiates counter vibrations to reduce the the Q100, which has not been produced flight attendant, used in many cases to
sound and movement felt in the cabin. for a number of years. improve in-flight service standards.
To emphasise the introduction of the The engines powering the three basic An operator of these aircraft will
ANVS and new name, the Dash 8-100, - Dash 8 models are variants of the Pratt & benefit from cost savings in the training
200 and -300 delivered with the ANVS Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW120. These of flightcrew, since all four Q Series
system were named the Q100, Q200 and are rated from 2,000 shaft horse power variants have a common pilot type rating.
Q300. These were aircraft built from the (shp) on the Dash 8-100 to 2,500SHP on Further commonality is realised with
middle of 1996 onwards. The Q100s the Q300 (see table, page 7). maintenance, parts inventory and ground
were from line number 472, the Q200s The Q400 series is powered by operations.
from line number 421, and the Q300s P&WC’s PW150A engine, rated at

Dash 8-100/Q100
Originally launched as the Dash 8-
100, this aircraft entered service in 1984
with norOntair. The Dash 8-100 was the
first variant, and its most recent
maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is
36,300lbs (see table, page 7).
The earlier Dash 8-102 is powered by
the PW120A rated at 2,000shp, has a
cruise speed of 265 knots, and a
maximum range of 1,159nm.
The later -103 is powered by the
PW121 rated at 2,150shp, has a cruise
speed of 270 knots, and a maximum
range of 1,148nm (see table, page 7).
The later Q106 is powered by the
same engine, and has a similar cruise
speed and slightly shorter range.
During the course of Dash 8-
100/Q100 production many sub-variants

The three main Dash 8 variants have similar

cruise speeds of 265-300 knots. The Q400 is
faster at 360 knots.

AIRCRAFT COMMERCE ISSUE NO. 63 • APRIL/MAY 2009

 7 I AIRCRAFT OPERATOR’S & OWNER’S GUIDE

DASH 8 Q SERIES SPECIFICATIONS

Dash 8 Dash 8 Q106 Dash 8 Dash 8 Dash 8 Dash 8 Dash 8 Q402

-102/ -103/ -201/ -202/ -311HGW/ -314HGW/ -315HGW/ EHGW
Q100 Q100 Q200 Q200 Q300 Q300 Q300
Engine PW120A PW121 PW121 PW123C PW123D PW123 PW123B PW123E PW150A
Engine power 2,000 2,150 2,150 2,150 2,150 2,380 2,500 2,380 5,071
-shp
MTOW -lbs 34,500 34,500 36,300 36,300 36,300 43,000 43,000 43,000 65,200
MZFW -lbs 31,300 31,300 32,000 32,000 32,000 39,500 39,500 39,500 58,000
Basic OEW -lbs 22,380 22,880 23,593 23,744 23,763 26,683 26,683 26,683 38,986
Maximum 8,420 8,420 8,407 8,256 8,237 12,817 12,817 12,817 19,014
payload -lbs
Fuel capacity 841 841 841 841 841 841 841 841 1,737
-US Gal

Seats 37-39 37-39 37-39 37-39 37-39 50-56 50-56 50-56 69-80
Crew 2+1 2+1 2+1 2+1 2+1 2+1/2 2+1/2 2+1/2 2+2

Max. Range -nm 1,159 1,148 1,099 1,082 1,082 921 921 921 1,457
Range with longer- 2,328 2,290 2.277 2,093 2,092 1,960 1,960 1960 N/A
range tanks -nm

Max. cruise speed 265 270 268 300 300 287 285 287 360
-kts

Standard baggage 300 300 300 300 300 320 320 320 502
capacity -cu.ft.
Maximum operating 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000
ceiling -ft
Take-off 80.8 79.8 79.8 79.9 79.9 79.5 79.9 79.5 78.6
noise level -dB
Sideline 86.3 86.1 86.1 84 84 87 87.3 87 84
noise level -dB
Approach 94.3 95.7 94.7 94.7 94.7 95.1 95.1 95.1 93.1
noise level -dB

of the aircraft were developed, -300, and entered service with BPX Canadian operator, Time Air. This
comprising at least five passenger and Colombia in 1995. There are four sub- aircraft is similar to the Dash 8-100,
three military sub-variants. This meant variants, with the last being the one fitted except that its fuselage is 11 feet (3.4m)
that MTOWs varied from 33,000lbs to with the ANVS system. The Dash 8-200 longer, and it is equipped with the more
36,300lbs depending on the engine used has the same fuselage and therefore the powerful PW123 engine series.
and the aircraft configuration. same cabin seat capacity as the Dash 8- The Dash 8-311 is powered by the
The standard interior layout is four- 100/Q100. PW123 rated at 2,380shp, has a cruise
abreast seating with 37 seats at 31-inch The earlier Dash 8-201 variant is speed of 287 knots, and has a maximum
pitch. The toilet and galley are located at powered by the PW123C rated at range of 921nm (see table, this page).
the front of the cabin, with the 300- 2,150shp, has a cruise speed of 300 The later -314 is powered by the
cubic-foot baggage compartment located knots, and a maximum range of PW123B rated at 2,500shp, but is
at the rear of the cabin. An additional 1,082nm. The later -202 is powered by essentially the same as the -311.
two seats are possible in the galley the PW123D also rated at 2,150shp, but The -300E is the last -300 variant,
position if the forward wardrobe is its specifications are otherwise similar to and is powered by the PW123E rated at
replaced with the galley. Although this those of the -201 (see table, this page). 2,380shp, but otherwise it has the same
increases seat numbers, it would not be a The Dash 8-200/Q200 has the more specifications as the -311 (see table, this
good idea to do this on aircraft on routes powerful PW123 engines used on the page).
that have many business travellers that Dash 8-300/Q300. This combination is The -300 has a capacity of 50-56
expect to hang up suit jackets. designed to provide better airfield passengers, depending on seat pitch and
Exits consist of a main passenger- performance and increase payload/range cabin layout. The wardrobe and toilet are
entry door at the forward left of the capability. Bombardier says this variant is still at the front of the aircraft, but the
cabin, a type II service door at the ideal for those operators that fly in areas standard layout includes the galley at the
forward right of the cabin and two type where strong hot and high performance is rear. At a 32-inch pitch, the -300 can seat
III emergency doors either side of the necessary. 50 passengers, but if this is reduced to 29
cabin, slightly forward of the wing. In Interiors on the Q200 are the same as inches, and part of the galley is pushed
addition there is a cargo door into the on the Q100, and both aircraft feature a into the baggage compartment, then 56
baggage compartment on the left side of moveable rear bulkhead that allows an seats can be fitted. The exits consist of a
the aircraft. Bombardier is proposing an operator to use a convertible passenger/ main passenger-entry door at the forward
extended life programme for the -100 cargo (combi) interior. The Q200 has the left of the cabin, a type II service door at
series. This will include a 100,000 life added benefit, like all the Q series, that it the forward right of the cabin and two
limit, a weight upgrade, and a flightdeck can be changed from all-passenger to all- type III emergency doors either side of the
upgrade. cargo configuration in just 20 minutes. cabin aft of the wings.

Dash 8-200/Q200 Dash 8-300/Q300 Q400

The Dash 8-200 was in fact the third The second variant to enter service The fourth variant of the Dash 8/Q
variant to be launched, following the was the Dash 8-300 in 1989 with the Series is the Q400. In response to the

ISSUE NO. 63 • APRIL/MAY 2009 AIRCRAFT COMMERCE

8 I AIRCRAFT OPERATOR’S & OWNER’S GUIDE
The Q400 is now the only member of the Dash 8
& Q Series to be manufactured. Bombardier has
launched an enhanced version, the Q400
NextGen, and a stretched model is also being
considered.

longer-lasting LED lights, and the

windows have been adapted to allow
more light into the cabin and a better
external view for passengers.
The Q400 NextGen has had its A
check intervals increased from 400 flight
hours (FH) to 500FH, while the C check
has been increased from 4,000FH to
5,000FH. This compares to a new A
check interval of 600FH for the Q400
(see Dash 8/Q400 maintenance analysis,
page 13).
The way that pilots operate the
aircraft has also been addressed for the
Q400 NextGen, and procedures in the
operator manual will be changed. These
changes could account for at least a 2%
reduction in fuel consumption during
high speed cruise and the associated
further success of the modern turboprop The most significant change is in the reductions in the aircraft’s CO2
aircraft, and route density, a larger Q bigger baggage compartment areas to emissions.
Series was needed. This variant is a accommodate the increased number of This all improves passengers’ comfort
further stretch of the fuselage by nearly passengers’ bags. There is the larger and the airline’s costs, which in turn
35 feet, compared to the Q100/Q200, compartment at the rear of the cabin, increases the benefits of the aircraft
and 23 feet compared to the Q300. This which is now 411 cubic feet as well as a compared to alternative turboprops and
allows the Q400 to carry 69-80 small compartment of 91 cubic feet at the smaller regional jets.
passengers. The aircraft first entered front of the cabin between the toilet and
service in 2000 with SAS Commuter of the passenger seats.
Scandinavia. The highest MTOW is An optional layout has 70 seats with ANVS
65,200lbs. a 31-inch pitch, a larger baggage Turboprop aircraft have traditionally
All Q400 aircraft have the ANVS compartment of 135 cubic feet at the been considered noisy by passengers,
system installed, having been launched front and the toilet moved to the rear. both internally and externally. The Q
after its introduction. In addition, they Another optional layout has 78 seats at a Series has aimed to reduce this impression
have full authority digital engine controls 30-inch pitch, standard interior locations, by using the ANVS system.
(FADEC) and increased propeller-fuselage but a smaller rear baggage compartment The internal noise on previous Dash 8
clearance to reduce blade passage build- of 365 cubic feet. aircraft was louder at the front of the
up. Noise reduction has been aided by the There are two flight-attendant jump cabin and forward of the propeller arc.
introduction of a six-bladed prop, seats, one at the front and one at the rear With the ANVS system in place, no area
advanced synchrophasers to minimise as standard, and the option of an extra of the cabin suffers from excessive noise,
propeller beat, and advanced engine crew place. The exits consist of two and the average noise level is just 75dB -
mount technology to reduce transmission passenger doors at the forward and rear virtually the same as on regional jets, and
of engine vibrations at source. left of the cabin, a type III emergency exit in particular the CRJ aircraft. In fact the
This variant is equipped with at the forward right of the cabin and a quietest place to sit is now in seat rows
PW150A engines with an increased service door at the rear right of the cabin. adjacent to the propellers.
5,071shp, over previous variants. The The Q400 has six sub-variants, many Bombardier believes that a lot of the
engines’ propeller revolutions per minute of which are just cabin layout variants. noise in the cabin is from airframe
(RPM) are 6-19% lower than on the One is the Q400 NextGen. vibration, so it has reduced this through
previous variants of the Dash 8/Q Series. interior joints, seals and insulation and
The Q400 also has a faster maximum technology. Microphones in the cabin
cruise speed of 360 knots, and an Q400 NextGen measure the noise and vibration and relay
improved range of 1,457nm. The range is The Q400 NextGen was launched in the information to a computer. This is
assisted by the increased fuel capacity 2008 as a further development of the passed on to active tuned vibration
that is more than double that of previous successful Q400, and will be delivered absorbers attached to the fuselage frame,
Dash 8/Q Series types. from 2009. Improvements have been that emit counter vibrations. This not
Although the interior of the Q400 is made in the cabin and to the maintenance only reduces noise, but also the vibration
similar to that of previous variants, it and fuel consumption procedures. and flexing of the airframe, resulting in a
nevertheless has some differences. The The cabin has been improved with smoother flight and less wear and tear of
standard layout has 70 seats with a 33- larger overhead lockers that can now the airframe.
inch pitch, or 74 seats at a 31-inch pitch. accommodate trolley bags of the size
The toilet and wardrobe remain at the decided by the International Air To download 100s of articles
front, with the galley at the rear between Transport Association (IATA). The cabin like this, visit:
the seats and the baggage compartment. lights have been replaced with softer, www.aircraft-commerce.com

AIRCRAFT COMMERCE ISSUE NO. 63 • APRIL/MAY 2009