I was in the 400 sim and it does have condition levers, but they are really only 3 or 4 place (with detents). There's a TOGA setting, cruise setting, start/feather and there might be another. I don't remember. There was a decent amount of automation in the cockpit, from my crash course in learning where everything was. Switches and stuff are very very similar to the previous Dash-8 models. The MFDs are really sweet.....a lot cooler than the steam gauges.

This was just the basic impression I got from the simulator. I only got in to see it and watch someone takeoff and land it. I'd love to hear more about it, though, from people who have actually flown it. Thanks!

 

I haven't flown it yet, but it is a pretty sweet airplane.

My impression is that it is quite automated, but it still requires some human intervention in the fun phases of flight. For example, CAT-III approaches must be hand flown and there are no autothrottles, which requires some consciousness during landing.

As for the power quadrant. Power levers are hooked into the FADEC which does the majority of the work for you. Just place it into the "Rating" detent and depending on the bleed config and the position of the condition levers, the power will be automatically set to the appropriate max power setting.

Above rating is the radar, clink, oh $hit power region that will overtemp and overtorque the engine, but gives you an extra margin of power should you need it. The engines are actually derated to 5,000 HP from something like 7,000 HP, so its nice to know they can actually go above and beyond for a short bit without coming apart.

Accordingly, whether or not you actually cruise anywhere near to "max" is a completely different story as its actually possible to exceed Vmo single engine in level flight.

The condition levers have the following detents, Fuel Off, Start and Feather, Min 850, 900, and MAX 1020. Taxi, Takeoff, and Landing are done at 1020 and we take 'em back to 850 for everything else unless we need the additional power at 900 (icing for example).

All in all, its a great bird and I'm looking forward to actually flying it once I'm done dealing with the sim.

Checko

 

IT DOES HAVE CONDITION LEVERS!!!! But talking to the Q guy it could have been replaced with buttons, but wasn't due to type rating reasons. It does however have a FADEC. Down side is even with the AP on it does NOT have active yaw damping as on the SAAB. you have to always use the rudders!!!!

 

What?!?! They want me to be awake for the landings now? Screw this, I'm outta here.