Dash 8
 

Any of you have any good websites or recommended reading for Dash 8 training? I may secure a Dash job and I want to study up. Thanks
A

I'm not sure which company you got on with, but some generic info that helped me. The dash is an older design, so be familiar with manual pressurization, AC & DC gens, TRUs, electrical diagrams, buses, lots of redundant switches, static inverters..etc. Search the net and get a basic understanding of electrics and hydraulics. Seems vague now that I've re-read but I hope it helps.

Can't go wrong with the ol' "Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual" It helped me before systems class started.

IMO Best plane around, complicated sometimes, but a lot more challenging and fun than an RJ, nothing on everyone that flies the jet but you'll work a lot harder flying this ol' pig than a jet.

I'm just finishing up Piedmont's training, start the IOE/SOE portion tomorrow. I dunno if you're on the 100/200/300/400. The 100 is probably the most complicated the 200/300 are pretty much the same plane with a bigger engine and the 400 is basically an RJ.

The hydraulic systems, 3000PSI normal 9 gallon/minute, two standby pumps at 2925PSI and 1.5 gal/min, are pretty straight forward as well as the electrical. Start reading about 115 Volt fixed and variable frequency AC power as well as your standard 28 volt dc systems.

"Dundem" is pretty much spot on. Your best friend would be someone thats in a class in front of you at your airline, chances are they'll have a good idea of whatever written tests cover.

Long story short, you might try and hunt down some material. i know british airways has some stuff out there.

naley70b,

You are just the person I am looking for hahaha! I am just about to start training at Piedmont in two weeks. Where are you headed out of class? Also, any other tips you have would be great!!I am studying the Flows, Memory Items, Indoc, and Systems material that they gave us after the interview. Let me know any tips for survival that you might have..

Thanks in advance

Don't forget the FUEL PANEL DOOR LIGHT ... its the only green light that means something is wrong ...

;)

The seats are the most confusing part of the aircraft...each one adjusts differently. Very annoying indeed.

Good advice C.C.

Like Cactus, I flew the DASH and it's a wonderful airplane...one of the best turboprops out there.

It's systems aren't complicated. Make sure you get a paper trainer to take notes of what each light bell and whistle does....all in all its a pilot-friendly plane.

Good Luck,

FF

You sure know alot for just starting IOE... Do you work harder flying that or a DC-9 with no EFIS and FMS?

The workload is probably the same ...

You'll just be going slower and riding in a more comfortable cockpit !

:D

Later, CC

Just make sure to wash your hands after each flight. The cockpit's in Piedmont's Dashes are dirty as hell, dust everywhere and some of them smell like cold feet and vomit.

[quote=flypixs;
dust everywhere and some of them smell like cold feet and vomit.[/quote]


What do cold feet smell like??

I dont even want to think about that........

I suppose cold would be better than Hot!!!:D Either way that does not sound to good...:eek:

You must have been on H's? The old Vietnam era E's, if it wasn't for the dedicated crew chiefs, they were bad. Imagine a plane load of the 82'nd after time in the field. :D

Thats all I ever flew.. E models... 62-XXXX thru 70-XXXX.... as for the 82nd... i spent 6 years at no hope Pope right next door flying lawn darts around R5311 and other garden spots.....

I am more than aware what a plane full of vomit smells like.... have seen so much we had to hose it out on the ramp at Hunter AAF......rangers.... PUKING rangers....LOL.


my response was into the thought of the smell of cold feet...LOL

and....the HERC is the greatest turboprop ever made... :)
nothing quite like flying 75 tons of aircraft along at 300 feet (or lower) at 240KIAS...

Ever!

39th Pope.

OH.... and as for the rangers...I have the utmost respect for them... I had the honor of dropping them on Rio Hato airfield Panama..Dec 20, 1989....

40th TAS 1986-1992

Online coin check?

LOL.... unfortunatly I lost ALL my personal possessions and my home to Katrina in 2005....... lost my 40TAS coin, my 317th coin, and even a Dragon Lady (U-2) coin from the guys at Akritiri Cyprus.

What years were you at POPE.....

88-90. Ah yes, operation "just cuz", I sat on the sidelines for that. Not happy, since I was involved with the practice run.

Since this is a Dash 8 thread, I just got typed (Q400), looking forward to the big prop, even if it isn't a Herc.

Hum... you missed our desert vacation in 90-91 then as well.... :)

hawker,
who are you flying the Q for? I am headed off to training in a few weeks for the 400

Yes I did miss the fun in the sandbox, guess I'm lucky?

Lynx.

Oh I dont know.... the first sandbox vacation in 90-91 really wasnt so bad in comparison to the current situation.

Leaving the 800XP for a big turboprop? I thought that many regional pilots were looking to go the other way to the fractionals/corporate...

I've been wanting to get into 121 and Lynx provided the perfect opprtunity to give it a try (I live in Denver).

I've done the 7/7 on demand 135 stuff, and the on call all the time part 91 corporate thing. I'm not expecting 121 to be better, just different.

We have a diverse group at Lynx, some who came from corporate jets, as well as previous 121 Dash drivers. I think flying this big prop thoughout the rocky mountain region will be fun. I've already sat at 410 coast to coast with the only thing to look forward to is your crew meal. :D

I'm headed to MDT (Harrisburg) i think, the best thing i could tell you to do is to get those tests done as soon as you can, start to familiarize yourself with the systems and cockpit (the picture on the CD they gave you kinda sucks, look up cockpit photos on www.airliners.net Don't worry too much about the FOM stuff, you have a test on it in the first week, but its all really straight forward except exemption 3585. Start looking over the packet of flows they gave you, start looking at section 3 in the POH, mostly just relax and pay attention in class and you'll do fine. Hope you don't fail the drug test ;)

Mostly, don't let bob trout feel up any of the girls in your class.

Hay Airborne,

You can't go wrong flying the mighty Dash! Try a search on Google for software named "DashFlash". I used it during my type rating, an excellent self paced training program.

Hay Airborne,

You can't go wrong flying the mighty Dash! Try a search on Google for software named "DashFlash". I used it during my type rating, an excellent self paced training program.

Thats funny man! I got the tests done and have been studying the flows. I will print the limitations off to...So is MDT still short I am hoping to pick it up to. I heard that reserve is not to bad there. I should be pretty senior in my class I hope, I've got 0364. Did you have problems in your class with the drug test? I don't think I will have a problem unless my wife has been slipping me something:D.

USMC-SGT, how about you, where to?

Thanks for all the advice and heads up guys- I am very excited about flying the Dash here in Rockies. I have a great Dispatcher job here also but have to leave it to pursue new challenges. I also reside here in dnever and not having to commute sealed the deal.
Thanks
A

Thank you
 

You dropped my good friend who was with the the 82nd at the time- he said he had a safe jump- thanks.
Way back when I use to jump all I asked for was that the pilots didn't drop me in trees, well also in the correct DZ. ;)

Dash 8 problems?
 

I been reading a lot about the Dash 8 in European news lately and it has not been good news.

This is the lastest:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7066377.stm

I have been a little surprised by the apparent lack of coverage here in the US. I was wondering if some you current and former Dash-8 fliers would care to make a comment? Have US operators has similar problems? As a current Dash-8 driver, have you even heard of this?

This is not a flamebait!

I haven't heard of any similar problems in the US, or at any other carriers other than SAS. The problems have all been with the Q400. There have been no similar problems with the "classic" models (-100, -200, -300). The scuttlebutt is SAS is not following the recommended maintenance program on them. It does seem a serious problem with those Q400s. SAS is now selling their Q400 fleet....I'm waiting for Piedmont to snatch it up at a good price....haha.

In response to the original question....a great site for studying the caution/warning lights panel and associated problems (for the -100, -200, and -300) is:

http://members.cox.net/bobtail/DHC8-102-CWP.htm

Good luck!! The DASH really is a great airplane.

Colgan..*message too short*

Some of Colgan's check airmen where in Toronto just as I was finishing up. Have fun at the Extended Stay, and make sure to visit the "sports bar" across the street.

Hawkerjet,

You'll enjoy the Q400. It's the quickest turboprop out there(beside a piaggio avanti) but it still has the decent field performance of a classic Dash 8. I've flown all 4 models and while I love them all the Q400 stands out like a sore thumb.

Faster than a Saab 2000? TAS 365-370?