Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 Turboprop Regional Airliner, Canada

Bombardier Aerospace Dash 8 family of turboprop regional airliners includes the 37-passenger Q100 and Q200, the 50- to 60-passenger Q300 and the 70- to 80-passenger stretched Q400. Over 800 Dash 8 family aircraft have been ordered and over 700 delivered since 1984. Over 264 Q400 have been ordered and 164 delivered.

The newest member of the Dash-8 family, the Q400, had its first flight in 1998 and entered commercial service in February 2000. The Q400 Dash 8 airliner was developed by Bombardier to meet the requirements of regional airlines for larger aircraft on high-density, short-haul routes. The 350kt Q400 airliner is one of the world's quietest turboprop aircraft. The Noise and Vibration Suppression system (NVS) was introduced on the Dash 8 turboprop family in 1996.

The aircraft's speed and 2,519km range provide airlines with the capability to service markets beyond conventional turboprop aircraft distances. The Q400 program was launched in 1995 as a stretched version of the Q300 series.

Operators include: SAS Commuter (launch customer), Augsburg Airways of Germany, Horizon Air of USA, Tyrolean Airways of Austria and All Nippon Airways of Japan. Recent orders include: Pinnacle (15) in March 2007, Flybe (15) in May 2007 and Qantas (12 plus 24) in October 2007.

In October 2001, the Q400 airliner was approved by Europe's Joint Airworthiness Authorities for steep-approach operations, in preparation for approval to operate at London City Airport (LCY), which has a runway approach angle of 5.5°.

FLIGHT DECK

The dual control cockpit manufactured by De Havilland Canada accommodates the pilot and co-pilot. The Electronic Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS) has five high-resolution, 6in x 8in, liquid crystal displays. The flight deck can be fitted with an holographic guidance system from Flight Dynamics.

The aircraft's avionics system was developed by Thales Avionics (formerly Sextant Avionique). The communications suite includes a dual VHF navigation and communications and mode S transponder. The cockpit is also equipped with an emergency locator transponder and a solid state cockpit voice recorder.

Navigation equipment includes a weather radar, a ground proximity warning receiver, a radar altimeter, an automatic direction finder and distance measuring equipment. The aircraft has provision for a flight management system, a global positioning system and a traffic alert and collision avoidance system, TCAS II.

CABIN

The cabin can be configured for single-class or two-class layout for 68 to 78 passengers. SAS Commuter operates the aircraft with 58 seats in an all business-class configuration. Airstairs installed at the front of the cabin allow the aircraft to use airports with limited ground support facilities. Two passenger doors and one service door allow the aircraft to embark and disembark passengers quickly.

The aircraft has over 14m³ of baggage hold.

ENGINES

The aircraft is powered by two turboprop engines type PW1 50A supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada. Each engine develops 5,071shp or 3,800kW. The turboprop engines, mounted in Shorts engine nacelles, have Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC).

The engines drive six-bladed reversible-pitch composite propellers, type R408, supplied by Dowty. The propeller blades are fitted with an electrical de-icing system.

The total fuel capacity is 6,526l giving a maximum range of 2,519km carrying 74 passengers. The maximum cruise speed is just under 650km/h (403mph).

FUSELAGE

The near-circular in cross-section fuselage and the tail sections are manufactured by Mitsubishi. The fuselage and tail sections are transported to the De Havilland Canada manufacturing facilities in Ontario where the cockpit and wings are constructed for final assembly of the aircraft and system fits.

The Allied Signal electrical power system includes two starters / generators for DC power, two transformer units and two nickel cadmium batteries. There are two engine-driven AC generators to supply variable frequency AC power.

The wings, tail plane and fin leading edges are fitted with de-icing systems.

LANDING GEAR

The aircraft has Menasco retractable tricycle-type landing gear; each unit has twin wheels fitted with Goodrich anti-skid brakes. The two independent hydraulic systems are supplied by Parker Bertea Aerospace.