Dash 8 Sparks

[sako]

i woz in tasmania last week and noticed a lot of sparks coming from between the wheels during the take off run. is this a common thing in dash 8s ? i did advise hostie, she didnt look too concerned. it didnt happen again when we landed.

[Hugh Jarse]

Gidday Sako.
First of all, it was good to let somebody on the crew know your concerns.
Quite often, the brakes on the Dash will emit sparks for a few sectors following a pad change. This is normal and a characteristic of the friction material used....

[Captain Stoobing]

Hugh,

Didn't know that about the Dash. I haven't had anyone point it out to me before. Is any variant worse than the others for this? (ie 100', 200', 300')

It is a good day when you learn someting about the type you fly!!

Stoob.:ok:

[Hugh Jarse]

Capt Stoobing,
I think the models are pretty much the same apart from the -315 brake packs having an extra rotor and stator to account for the extra weight.

I've been given messages by the cabin crew a few times about the brakes sparking. We take a look after landing and it's always been new pads installed.

Dunno if brake sparking is unique to the Dash, but I suspect people see it more because there's no wing in the way to obscure their view of the wheels.

Capt Noodle I try this link but dunno if it work
http://www.bombardier.com/en/3_0/ml/2283/2_low_qantaslink_02.jpg

[compressor stall]

Cpt Stoobing,

You are probably looking at other things during the braking process. Like out the front window!

[splatman]

Another slant on it could be this.

Taxing out at one time we had the FA contact us advising a passenger had observed sparks or something between the wheels while on taxi for departure. On leaving the flight deck and going down the back to investigate it turned out to be the rotating beacon reflecting against the disk rotor.

10 out of 10 for raising the issue with the FA though. There is some CRM brownie points.
:ok:

[jetstar21]

What has been said re sparks from the brakes on DHC-8 is quite correct and is a regular occurrence.

Also, for those operating the type I might mention that should heavy braking be required at any time DON'T apply the park brake soon afterwards but taxi slowly and allow the discs to cool or you will get a big rattle with subsequent pedal pulse on the next taxi due to a warped disc. A brake change will be required and will lose you plenty of brownie points if the one being changed was only recently done. Actually, how often do we need to use the brakes anyhow. The 100/200 come to a stop shortly after touchdown and the 300 just a little further.

As was said earlier. YES they are a great aircraft and do exactly as you want without effort.

[Hugh Jarse]

Not at all Capt Noodle. That's what this place is for. Where did you decide to do your training?

Yeah, Jetstar. You don't need the brakes much, except to park. Judicious use of discing/occasional reverse usually does the trick:E

[Captain Stoobing]

Hugh,

Great picture of SBJ, where did you get it?

Compressor stall, Nope, eyes closed and screaming all the way down. It is the only way to get a good landing out of the dash.

Stoob

[Chocks Away]

Hugh,
The picture...I can tell that's your work ...Nice rotation Bloke :ok: , are they rostering you guys with shifts out of Brizvegas now???:} :p

Keep the dream alive :ok:

[Captain Stoobing]

SBJ is still one of sunnies D8-300's. Maybe down the track they will let us all fly together.....have some great mates in EAA that I would love to fly with............It is bound to happen, hopefully the people involved can come up with an integration deal that we would all be happy with. I for one like the idea of staying in this part of the world and would like to see long term strategy for us all to play together.

Capt Stoobing:ok:

[Hugh Jarse]

Gidday Chocks. Wish I could say it was mine but no.....

Not much has changed since "then", if you know what I mean;) Still based in the same spots.:E

Trust you're well:}