Ever see a DC-9-10 beside a MD-90??

 

I agree about not wanting to see LARGE aircraft flown on regional seniority lists though, that is awfully silly. Hopefully mainline guys will hold their ground on scope (ha..)

But yea the Dash 8 300 isn't supposed to get above 6 degrees pitch in the flare, so I really would have to expect something to be done differently on this thing rather than just a simple stretch-job.

 

This plane absolutely is a regional airplane in the true sense of the word. Its meant for short hops of 500NM or less, not the 2 and 3 hour legs that the CR7/9 and E170's do. I agree that I will look quite ridiculous, but I don't think we'll be saying any t-props return to mainline.

 

wow
so if they build an airplane carrying 200 pax that only has a range of 500nm would you still consider calling it a regional airplane???

where does it stop???

 

Yeah and I've wittnessed an MD have a tailstrike during rotation too.... although i confess not knowing much of the airframe( what kinda attitude would cause that) i cant believe that was a normal rotation...

 

In my mind regional refers to range of the aircraft, not size. Regional jets are not called regional because they are small. They were orginally designed to fly "regional" routes, in one region of the country to feed hubs; as opposed to say, transcontinental routes. Are DTW-AUS/IAH/DFW regional routes? I fly them all the time on the 900. People are quick to call the 900 "just a regional jet" because it has tail-mounted engines, a boarding door that wasn't designed for jetbridges and small overhead bins. The same people will say that they E170/175 is not, but they are essentially the same size. Both the CR9 and E175 have more range than a DC-9...there is nothing "regional" about them. CPZ flies the E175 from DTW to Mexico for god's sake!

A Dash 8 flying 70-80 people from MBS/FNT/CLE to DTW is a regional airplane flying regional routes as the namesake was intended to indicate. Just because its large doesn't automatically make it the same kind of threat to mainline as the CR9 and E175. It lacks the performance to replace most a/c types in the mainline domestic fleet. Though I will grant you that NWA does use DC-9's and Airbii on some of those routes I mentioned.

Having said all that, Im not at all for more contract flying. I wish there was no DCI and we were all Delta pilots flying under one certificate, brand and CBA. The point of what I said earlier was that we have to think of things realistically.

 

After doing some research on the range specifications of the Q400, I will eat some of my words. I didn't realize just how capable of an airplane it is! Though I will submit, I doubt operators would use it to the full extent of its range which according to BBD is in excess of 1,000nm. I believe its more efficient on shorter hops traditionally flown by turbo props. But then again, people probably thought the same about the CRJ years ago.

My original point was that just because it is stretched does not in and of itself take it out of the "regional" category. But its size AND performace taken together do and...I WAS WRONG! So there you have it for all those who want to sling mud my way...I beat you to it :P

 

I understand your argument for what defines a regional aircraft, but it absolutely needs to be based on capacity, not range.
See that DC9-10 at the top of the page? Has almost the same capacity as the CRJ-900. 30 years ago that airplane was being flown on the same routes you're flying and those pilots were being paid a higher rate.
I'm not trying to pick a fight with you here, I'm just trying to make my point why I feel it would be wrong to allow range to define what is a regional aircraft.

 

About 12 degrees if the mains aren't off the ground yet. After that, pitch right on up to 20 degrees (max for pax)

 

I agree with you 100%. However I previously thought the Q could only fly maybe 800nm or so, not more than 1000. Getting it all under one list and cert will be a tough battle with mgt so long as it remains cheaper through contractors.