Airbus Lover From Malaysia, joined Apr 2000, 3248 posts, RR: 10 Posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2423 times:
I personally think the ATR is more successful and a more capable and efficient regional turboprop aircraft. But recently when visiting , I learnt that the Q series, esp. Q400 is a better workhorse. Speed is almost the same as the BAe 146. Apart from speed, there is still a lot of aspects that are way better than the ATR. But one thing I do not like about the Q Series, Fokker F27, F50 and Dash planes which have their landing gear under the prop. engine...Looks stupid. Instead, although the Beech King Air 350 has sumfin like this, it looks better.... what do you think?
regards Airbus Lover
ps:i know that most turboprops has 2-2 seating at 31 pitch. what do you think of making them business class seats (the ill Legend Airlines concept) on these turboprops.....although they are used on short hops... maybe a 2-1 seating, perhaps? what do u think.?
Watewate From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 2283 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2354 times:
If the destination has enough high-yield business travellers for 2-1 seating, I'm sure jets would be used on that route. Most frequent travellers prefer jets over props so it doesn't make sense to outfit a prop with luxurious seating when another airline can jump in with more comfortable jet service to entice passengers.
AC183 From Canada, joined Jul 1999, 1532 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 2328 times:
Whether you like the looks of it or not, the landing gear placement further outboard is better for stability and handling of these aircraft.
I'm admittedly not much of an ATR fan... but I personally feel that the Dash8 is a superb little aircraft all-around. From the perspective of some guys I know who worked on the ramp, it's the best of the small aircraft in terms of maintenance and ground handling. It has great handling, and good field performance, and an excellent safety record. While I've never had the opportunity (yet) to fly on the Q series aircraft, I'm sure it's pretty nice, I've generally found the older Dash8's I've flown to be fairly good.
As to seating, I dunno. I tend to agree with the idea that jets are flying the longer flights, where extra amenities are more important. Seems that jets are preferred by passengers, although I'm not much of a fan or regional jets... so while I like the idea of using Dash8Q series aircraft to fly short feeder routes in a more spacious seating arrangement isn't bad, I doubt there's enough of a demand for the improved service for short hops...
One other thing... technically it's not the "Canadair Q400"... Bombardier is the company that makes the Dash8's now, but while it also owns Canadair, the Canadair name isn't really correct to apply to the Dash8's... it's either deHavilland Canada, or Bombardier that is described as the manufacturer of the Dash8's now, usually Bombardier anymore with the DH name just being applied to the factory where it's built...
Dannyboy From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2285 times:
I'm extremely biased toward the dash. First off Canadian Regional operated both, and which do you think we got rid of? The ATR of course. The dash IS a better workhorse. The new Q series are very nice and quiet, not to mention they handle icing conditions a little better than the ATR. As to SAS having problems with the engine, well it is a new a/c and alot of new products do go through their own set of teething problems (eg 777) so don't be too quick to judge. Rumour had it SAS was also unhappy with certain aspects of the 737ng and they just ordered or took up some options on more so who's to say.
Steman From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 1275 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 2274 times:
Hi,
SAS and Bombardier have fixed the problems with the -Q400 after the carrier has been forced to ground the fleet.
De Havilland Canada chose to put main gear legs under the engines nacelles in order to have a wide wheel base to operate not only from normal runways but even from unprepared strips, making the DHC-8 attractive to potential military customers. Till now all the version of the DHC8 have had almost the same success as the ATR42 in the military field.
Anyway both aircraft are very good, the Q400 being a bit more advanced than the ATR72-500.
As I am Italian I prefer the ATRs but I can say that Bombardier is doing a great work on its regional turboprops and jets
Corey777 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 2266 times:
I've never ridden on any ATR a/c, so I can'tmake a comparison, but the Dash 8 was the smoothest-riding and quietest turboprop I've been on. The high wing also allows better views IMO--except when the gear is down.
Boeing757/767 From United States of America, joined Jun 1999, 2264 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 2259 times:
No comparison for me -- in terms of comfort and stability in bad weather, the Dash 8 is far superior. I have flown both many times.
Slawko From Canada, joined May 1999, 3799 posts, RR: 10 Reply 11, posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 2260 times:
I have flown both a few times and in some pretty bad weather, especially with the ATR...I personally did not like the ATR, I found the ride to be very rough and the seating was smaller then on a Dash-8. I guess it is personal preferance but for me the Dash is far superior to the ATR. I have even flown on an AN-24 and I found it to be a more comfortable ride then the ATR. Interms of advancement the new Dash's are also superior with more modern avionics and engines, and overall design.
"Clive Beddoe says he favours competition, but his actions do not support that idea." Robert Milton - CEO Air Canada
Acvitale From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 921 posts, RR: 13 Reply 12, posted (12 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 2240 times:
For a look at F or Business class on the Q400 go to http://www.MidwestWingsAirlines.com and check out the fleet type look at the Q300 and Q400 they have both with a premium cabin configuration.
It includes photos and seatmaps.
The costs of operation on the Q300/Q400 are lower then the ATR42 and ATR72 respectively and they offer a quieter cabin and CATIII landing capabilities.
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