Hendricks has 3.. Joe Gibbs has 1.

http://www.jetjit.com/nascar_tail_numbers.htm

A couple of sources also say Ginn Racing has 2 2000s.

 

Didn't know Gibbs had any!

 

I guess I don't hate the megawhacker, i've been on it so long, it's the only thing I really know, although I do miss the 200 except in the summer when it's hotter than a blue jesus on asphalt. I've got more than 3500 hours on it (the q4), mostly in the right seat, but you're right...I havnt had too many problems on it lately. I guess I dig the speed and that mooving (mine moos) map thingy is groovy too.

 

I love flying the "Q" so far. It seems much heavier than anything else I've flown... must be because they balanced out the hydraulically operated control surfaces with the non-hydraulic ailerons. I don't have any experience in the DHC-8s other than this model, how do they fly in comparison?

 

The q400 compared to the q200 is a truck. It has heavy controls. It's big and gangly and even though it's a common type it's a different bird altogether.

The 200 was a pleasure to handfly altho I try to always handfly the megawhacker at least up to altitude once a trip just in case the autopilot is deferred (sux on them lax-sun legs!)

I think it is easier to get a good landing in the Q400 than the 200, especially flaps 15 (stinks we cant do that on a regular basis anymore) best landings were always right around 4.5 to 5 degrees pitch. The 400 does'nt vibrate nearly as much as the 200 (6 blades vs. 4 I guess) and you have twice as many chances to get shot down by your female flight attendants than you do in the q2.

I think both birds have their pro's and cons and it is nice having your overnight bag in the closet instead of in the back where the rampers can dink with it. Cheers!

 

The 50 seat Shorts 500 will start service with Aeroflot Express in 2011.

 

Does the Q-400 have the same rough landing 'reputation' that the DHC-8-100 & 300 have?

 

Hendrick Motorsports has three.
Ginn Development Co. has two (currently parked).
Joe Gibbs Racing has two. (one recently acquired)
US Marshal Service (JPATS) have one.

Yes, they can hold 55 pax seats but not well. At 45 pax (in comfortable seat pitch) and realistic bags you can still top the tanks.

Somebody verify that the Q400 will cruise at 365 KTAS at realistic weight - not empty. I mean real world... I'm doubting it but have not operated a Q400.

 

A Q400 will operate at 365 at near max gross in the FL's everyday. Well I should put a disclaimer that I only have a little over 250 hours in it from the months of Feb through today but it will realistically do 360 true everytime and it is not uncommon to see it hanging around 367-368. I can not vouche for the summer months or after the plane is well weathered.

As for the landing, I have never landed any other series but it has a VERY stiff gear just like its predecessors. That being said you can land it very soft, probably as soft as any plane I have ever been in but it is typically flaps 15 at around 6 degrees pitch and a little luck and skill mixed in. Keep in mind that a tail strike is just over 7 degrees so I have been finding that I do not want to be in the innaguaral group of those to tailstrike the plane so I stick with 5 degrees and just do "good to semi good" landings because it is more benneficial to my career.

 

Wow - I am impressed that a Q will do that kind of speed.

Good on ya!