dash 8 .... the scoope
 

Hey,

Was reading alot about people saying good things about the dash 8. It's predecessor was an airplane that always fascinated me, the 7....

I wonder, for you Dash 8 pilots. What's so great about the plane? Why do you like it? How does it compare to other airplanes, namely the 7...?

This is not a putting down article it actually is a fascination with an airplane I know nothing about. I'm looking to hear about the airplane itself.... not looking for any company names to be included or another sulky thread about QOL and/or pay.

Thanks!

-schone

I used to be on the Dash and I still miss it. It's a great aircraft to transition from GA aircraft to turbine transports.

I loved it because:

Four across seating which means a super comfy ride in the front and the back as compared to say the ERJ 145

APU, FMS, EFIS, pressurization etc- as stated a good intro aircraft

Good performance for a turbo-prop (even tough I have no other frame of reference). Cruises at 265 TAS, operates comfortably into and out of 3,000' strips, we were able to take off and land with up to a 20kts tailwind, 36 kts x-wind demonstrated, I've been at 14 DME and 14,000' and still made it straight in (the controller couldn't believe it), can maintain the Vmo until 5-6 miles and still touch on the numbers....I could go on, but I hope this helps.

chicks dig the turboprop man... that's why we love it

Flew the -8 years ago at Air Willie but never got to drive the -7 there. PW100 engines on the -8 are better than the PT6s on the -7.

The -7 had an incredible short field performance but the -8 100 series was no slouch in that department. The 300 series took more runway but had a steadier ride.

I fly the A320 now but still miss the -8 in winter conditions. It was a very nice plane to drive and very solid. I would love to get to fly the Q 400 and that's saying a lot after years of CRJ, A320 and G 450 driving.

Yeah, it's and awesome plane. I will miss flying it.

I am amazed and a little envy to hear all that. Dunno why but this airplane and as I said its predecessor always fascinated me.

I fly an RJ which luckily on this forum I don't have to say much about.... it's just a jet, so nothing exciting to tell.

The dash seems like an extraordinary airplane to me. I remember as a kid riding on the cockpit of a 7 on numerous occasions and it always had that magic of a powerful and stable piece of machinery.

I hope i'll retire to doing that someday..... gives you something to look forward to... maybe even retire to cessnas.... I like to think of it as back to the basics perhaps.

Tail winds to all.... thanks for sharing! I appreciate it.

Lets just say...I was messing around in the sim one night, and I did a Flaps 35 landing with Max Props/reverse/braking on RWY 6 in Allentown...and I got the bugger stopped at the top of the number 6. How many planes can you do that with?

Shoot!...how many airliners can be STOL certified???...The Dash 8 can!

Not in the sim, but landing on 33R in Boston without touching the reverse and having 1000 feet to spare, awesome.

The 5,000' downwind and cleared to land in DCA....nothing like a good ole slam dunk. Can't do that in ANY other plane I fly or have flown. Love that plane.

Roomiest cockpit ever and you can stand up in the cabin. Nice.

Not to swing the topic but with an empty ERJ-145 you can stop on a dime too.