Originally Posted by
AShortDash
I have to agree with The Dude. It depends on what you are looking for but I'll say that the Q400 will outclimb anything with 70 seats or less to FL250. That is if it's let loose. We usually have to sit and wait because of ATC. A climb starting with 210 and ending around 240 @ FL250 will hold 2000 fpm through 18 and reach 250 at between 1000-1500 depending on the load. That's with the props in the quieter cruise setting.
If the Dornobs will still flying, I don't think you would be able to make that claim. Climbing at 250 till 10K would yield between 4-6000 fpm, hot and heavy in the summer time it would dog around 2500-3500. The best I ever saw on a "normal" climb profile was 6700 fpm till 10k. After accelerating to 290 it could easily do 2000 fpm till TOC if climbing at the barber pole. If you were climbing at a slower IAS/Mach is could do 3000 fpm till TOC.