Do you fly the Q400?
I fly the Q400 for a small regional airline ”somewhere in Europe”. I have the distinct feeling that we do not fully take advantage of the Q400’s potential. Here’s why:
- For take-offs, which are all on relatively long runways (shortest is EGPD/ABZ), we always use MTOP (90% TQ), no matter what our take-off mass is.
- We always use MCP, regardless of wind/velocity.
- We [almost] always pretend to be a KC-135, and haul around tons of extra fuel, even in severe CAVOK on short sectors.
- Climb/cruise/descend schedules are never “planned”; most pilots just pick a pitch/IAS randomly (or so it seems)
Are there any Q400 drivers (SK / FlyBe, perhaps) out there who care to shed some light on how this aircraft is operated in their company? Do you use reduced torque for take-off, as this would save fuel and reduce engine wear? Do you decrease cruising speed in a strong tailwind, in order to save fuel? (I’ve read that by reducing cruise speed by 60kt (from max), you can save 200kgs of fuel on a 1-hour flight!) Are you encouraged to use a low flap setting on approach to save fuel?
This was posted in Tech Log as well.
PM me if you feel like it! ;-)
/Cross.