DHC-8 question
 

I flew the airlines back from recurrent at FSI, and rode one leg on a Dash 8-300. Although I was seated aft of the props, It seemed very quiet.

I was curious as to the cruise RPM on a Dash?


(It was Dec. 22nd, the flight was late and needed to quick turn, so I did not bother the crew to ask.)

The SAAB is 1230 rpm, the -8 is probably somewhere in that area as well.

If you were riding on a PDT DHC8-300, its typically 900 RPM.

Lax

Wow, what's the blade diameter for a prop to have to spin that slow?

Roughly 13', if memory serves.

Yep, it was a PDT. Is that a PDT SOP or a DHC SOP?

It's a PDT SOP for sure. (900 RPM for cruise) Other than that, I'm not too sure? Any Horizon, Island Air, Caribbean Star guys/gals want to chime in? Maybe even De Havilland/Bombardier people want to chime in?

Lax

I would be curious since you specified a PDT Dash. If it is not an aircraft SOP, is it a mod or something? For example, Raisbeck's prop mod for the BE-20 allows for a 1600 RPM cruise, instead of 1700.

I'm pretty certain that's the standard cruise profile for the Dash. There is no mod that allows 900; that's just what the props are regulated to with the condition levers at "min."

Dash Pilots:
 

Thanks for the response guys:

How does the Dash fly? What does it do well and not so well?
Is it a typical deHavilland workhorse?

I know it is an old airplane that has been successful, but I was curious from a pilot standpoint.