Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

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warszawa
Topic Author
Posts: 549
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2003 11:37 am

Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:01 am

Hi all,

Well, i've seen threads on here such as " ERJ or CRJ " and discussions regarding those birds...but what about turboprops?

Which turboprop do you personally prefer? ( Based on what you've flown on ).

General turboprop list ( for airlines ) include:

ATR-42
ATR-72
Beech 1900C
Beech 1900D
Dash 8-100/200
Dash 8-300
Dash 8-400
EMB-110
EMB-120
Fokker 50
Fokker 60
Saab 340

Just thought it'd be interesting to hear what people prefer when it comes to flying a turboprop. State the negatives / positives of what you've flown on, etc., and which turboprop is your favorite (and also your least favorite).

Should be a fun and interesting thread  Smile
Flying a plane is no diff. from riding a bicycle. Its just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes. -'Airplane'
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doug_or
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:04 am

Q400. fast. quiet. If you're on QX you might get free beer
When in doubt, one B pump off
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warszawa
Topic Author
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:06 am

I'll post my experiences seperately.

Flown on the following:

Dash 8-100 (Air Canada)
ATR-72 (EuroLOT Polish)

Flew the Dash DTW-YYZ and YYZ-DTW back last year...Very cramped (guess i know what a CRJ feels like now), at least when the load was 100% on the return flight to DTW, wasnt so bad when it was around 60% on my DTW-YYZ leg. Quite loud, old (at least my planes were old)... dirty interior, scratched windows, also hard to see out the window with the engine obstructing most of my view. Also, its a pain to fly this plane in the summer (air conditioning doesnt run on the ground for some reason? It does, but very - if any - air comes out of the vents).

Flew the ATR-72 Warsaw-Rzeszow (just once)... Flight was about 40% filled, plane was excellent...VERY roomy, not cramped at all (although it wasnt a filled flight, you can easily tell there was much more space versus the Dash-8 in terms of cabin width ). Seats were pretty good, plane was quite clean. Pretty good performance and not really loud either.

Overall, from what i've flown on (Dash 81 and ATR-72) i'd prefer the ATR-72 - Although i've heard the newer dash's ( Dash 8-400 such as Horizons Dash 84's ) are very nice.

Post your comments  Smile
Flying a plane is no diff. from riding a bicycle. Its just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes. -'Airplane'
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frugalqxnwa
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:14 am

The QX Q400 is nice, but is too cramped for me to be comfortable. I personally like the B1900D the best, the only bad thing is the lack of a lavatory.


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jdwfloyd
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:21 am

Got to love the Dash. It's like the chevy truck of the air. Sure they're slow noisy and not very sleek looking but damn are they a work horse.
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MYT332
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:21 am

Out of the Dash 7, Dash 8-300 and Fokker 50 I've flown I'd say the Fokker 50 was the best ride as it's not as noisy or vibration filled. Well I say that although the full power t/o from LCY was pretty bad but that's a rare experience I guess.

The Dash 7 was surprising comfortable as well. The 8-300 was just, so loud.
One Life, Live it.
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Goldenshield
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 9:31 am

I prefer the EMB-120, but that's only becuase I fly them a lot.

Also, I believe that the EMB-120 was named an industry worsehorse.
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.
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nwafflyer
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 9:49 am

NOT ATR -- the Mexico City Queretaro flight is pretty awful (yeah, not the plane's fault)

Dash 8 -- OK

Saab 340 -- OK

Private Cessna -- just plain great
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777ER
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 10:26 am

Out of the Saab340 and the ATR72, I would say the ATR as its more comfy then the Saab. Got to try the Beech 1900D and the new Dash8s once they start arriving this year
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FlyMKG
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:04 am

I have flown on a few Skyway B1900Ds and some ASA ATR-72s. The 1900s were by far the better aircraft. The ATRs were extremely hot on the inside and extremely cramped. The 1900s have plenty of room and always have a stream of cool air blowing right into your face. The 1900 just looks and feels more sporty than the sluggish looking ATR.

FlyMKG
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frugalqxnwa
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:31 am

Not to mention you are not elbowing anyone unless you are unlucky enough to be in the last row!


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[Edited 2005-02-24 03:32:14]
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warszawa
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:53 am

Very interesting... didnt know the Beech's were that great of an aircraft (actually thought most people hated them).

I like how you have a window and an isle like that...but, the "tube" looking structure (and no overhead bins) doesnt seem that appealing to me. Would be interested in flying one though  Big grin

I like turboprops but certainly wont fly on a Dash 8-100 ever again ( and will probably try to avoid a -300...though, like some of you have said above, some Q400's are very nice ).

Keep them posts comin  Big grin
Flying a plane is no diff. from riding a bicycle. Its just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes. -'Airplane'
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NZ747
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:00 pm

ATR72-500.
Bigger, quieter, faster.
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jetboyflyhi
Posts: 173
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:31 pm

The DASH is a hard working aircraft built for short and high hops (elevation). Yes, I would call myself DASH TRASH...........Wonderful Aircraft
Chicken or Beef?
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Skydrol
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:36 pm

FlyMKG wrote:
>>>
I have flown on a few Skyway B1900Ds and some ASA ATR-72s. The 1900s were by far the better aircraft. The ATRs were extremely hot on the inside and extremely cramped. The 1900s have plenty of room and always have a stream of cool air blowing right into your face.
<<<

Doesn't it though? Those armrest-mounted vents can almost blow you out of your seat if you open them full!

I have to agree with the B1900D, as I have stated in other similar topics. It may be a strange-looking machine, but it does the job well for an 18 seater. Reclining leather seats are comfortable, windows are huge, cruise speed is faster than DH8, cruise altitude for 1900D is 25000FT, while DH8 is around 15000FT - better chance to avoid rough weather. Not bad for fuel consumption: 2 MPG. Overall the 1900D is a comfortable and fun aircraft to fly in. I also like that on many flights, the pilots leave the cockpit doors open, and the view from any seat is great, especially during landing approach.


B1900D INFORMATION


>>>
The 1900 just looks and feels more sporty than the sluggish looking ATR.
<<<

Sporty? Well that's one of the most complimentary comments I have heard about the looks of the 1900D.



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jetboyflyhi
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:42 pm

The 1900 seats 19 and the DASH flies alot higher and faster than the BEECH! But they both rock...........
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Skydrol
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:32 pm

Jetboyflyhi wrote:
>>>
The 1900 seats 19 and the DASH flies alot higher and faster than the BEECH!
<<<

What are your sources to make this conclusion?

I have been on a few dozen B1900D flights, and they have 18 seats; 9 rows of 1-1. I don't believe the toilet seat counts!


Beech 1900D cruise speed = 330 MPH
Dash 8-100 cruise speed = 305 MPH

Beech 1900D cruise altitude = 25,000 FT
Dash 8-100 cruise altitude = 15,000 FT

Beech 1900D range = 1400 miles
Dash 8-100 = 805 miles

The Dash 8-100 is a fair comparison, since it is only twice the pax capacity of the B1900D.


Sources:

B1900D INFORMATION

DASH 8 INFORMATION



But I do agree, both are great airplanes!



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Ryan h
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 6:17 pm

In my opinion the Beech 1900C is good, although I have only been on it once.
Sure you have to crouch down to get in it, but once seated the seats are good and lots of legroom.

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frugalqxnwa
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Thu Feb 24, 2005 10:16 pm

The 1900D does seat 19, at least the Great Lakes 1900s do. The last ros is three seats against the bulkhead separating the cabin from the luggage compartment. The photo is of Mesa, but only because there were no cabin views of a Great Lakes 1900.


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JBo
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Sat Feb 26, 2005 8:24 am

Skyway 1900Ds are 19-seat as well. The potty is an "option" on that aircraft.  Wink/being sarcastic
I'd take the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day.
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Skydrol
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:12 pm

The Central Mountain Air B1900s are 18 seats, and are arranged this way:

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NoUFO
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Sat Feb 26, 2005 11:29 pm

My vote would go to the Saab 2000, 'though it's not on your list: Fast, comfortable, and I just love it's slim lines, not to mention the giant props.


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Leskova
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Sun Feb 27, 2005 6:36 pm

The Dash 8-300 in my case... I got to fly on an SA Express plane on it's first ever commercial flight back in 1994, and somehow I've loved those planes ever since... even though I've had one of my worst flights ever on a SK Dash 8-400, but that was neither the airline's nor the airplane's fault, but more the fault of a person I was travelling with....
Smile - it confuses people!
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Capital146
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RE: Your Turboprop Preference And Why?

Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:59 am

To date I've been on the following:

Saab340
Jetstream 41
Shorts 360
ATR-42
Dash 8Q300
Dash 8Q400

All were great experiences, but the Q400 has definately been my favourite in terms of comfort and low noise/vibration (not to mention speed!) even though the flight had the worst weather conditions I have ever flown in. Only the Q300 has come anywhere near in terms of comfort from my experiences. So just like Jetboyflyhi, I consider myself DASH TRASH! Big grin
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