Qlink Dash 8's

[Digaf]

Does anyone have any info on the delivery scheme of Dash 8's over the next 9 months at Qantas Link??

Have heard it was one a month from May, then heard that it would be 3 more for this year. Not sure if these have changed given economic climate

Anyone have accurate figure??

Thanks,

gaf

[HappyBandit]

Last I heard was 7 400's this year.....Here's hoping!!!!

[Icarus53]

2 delivered so far since January. Should be a minimum 7 delivered this calendar year. Unless the machinists strike in Toronto!

[Pimp Daddy]

There will be 21 400s by about September - another 7 or so - as to where or who will fly them ?

[roger_ramjet]

There are plenty of runs that could take a 400. The 300 is a solid workhorse but can get pretty tight in hot conditons/short strips. The extra 22 seats on the 400 can always be sold as cheap specials to keep the load factors up, and compensate for slightly higher running costs (fuel burn etc).

[Eastwest Loco]

I hear that there is a good chance of one of the new Q400s being in MEL base, doing selected DPO and MQL runs.

This came from high up, so good chance,

Nice if it happens.

The Q300 is a lovely beast though compare to the 100/200 series. They did the job though. Good solid aeroplanes.

Can anyone advise the crosswind capability of the Q400.

I can only think the moment between the MAC and the fin would make them rather suceptable.

It is a very long lady.

Best all

EWL

[Mecarsa Bitrusty]

YPPH....................................................?

[Icarus53]

It's not a chance Loco - it's happening. Melbourne crews are in training (some are already checked) for the Q400 and rumour I heard was late April/early May for the aircraft to arrive down there. Going to be interesting times seeing how the Melbourne crew/support staff are managed in order to operate one aircraft of each type.

Crosswind limit on the Q400 is 32 knots (as opposed to 36 on the classics).

[Pimp Daddy]

Going to be interesting times seeing how the Melbourne crew/support staff are managed in order to operate one aircraft of each type.

Talking to the engineers in MEL they are managing them by not training any of them on the 400

[How's it Hanging]

Around April 13-20 is the planned start for Q400 in ML, depending on actual delivery of aircraft into Australia. Will be doing LT overnight and will go to Mildura and Canberra sometime during the day.

[Eastwest Loco]

Thanks Icarus for the C/W info.

They are a delightful aeroplane to fly on, but landing speed feels a little like a zero flap arrival! That was on a very hot day at LRE, so maybe not typical.

Best regards

EWL

[Icarus53]

Having landed the thing at Flap Zero - I can assure you that you will know all about it if it comes to that! Zero Flap pretty much means Zero Flare!

Talking to the engineers in MEL they are managing them by not training any of them on the 400

Are they going to rotate a Sydney engineer down then? A la current CBR operations? Unless they plan to start a CBR - MEL service that will rotate the aircraft between MEL and SYD daily?

[splatman]

Having landed the thing at Flap Zero - I can assure you that you will know all about it if it comes to that! Zero Flap pretty much means Zero Flare!

Are you sure you dont mean - Zero Flap pretty much means minimal flare of 1 to 2 degress making sure you dont exceed 6 degress pitch atitude, and then monitoring the sink rate applying a standard sink recovery technique if necessary?

- Sorry - couldnt help myself, but hope your enjoying the machine

[Stationair8]

What's the TAS for Dash8-400?

[sthaussiepilot]

360 kts.... And can get climb rates of 2500-3000 depeding on certian things

[Stationair8]

Thanks for that bit of info, sthaussiepilot.

EWL with love seeing the mighty 400 in at Pardoe Airport!!!

Little birdy told me they might run the Dash8-400 into a few more ports including Hobart on a weekend?

[harrowing]

flap zero landing

splatman
No. Absolutely not.
Icarus53 was very accurate describing the technique.

[Global Xpress]

Anyone know the break-up of the remaining 400's to the respective Qlink bases? One would assume MEL would get at least another 1 after their initial?

[Kiwiconehead]

Are they going to rotate a Sydney engineer down then?

MEL guys getting MAs for Ramp Checks + oils. Defects out of SYD.

Apparently the 400s are pretty reliable so no need for coverage.

[tobz92_ymen]

if the Melbourne base is getting another Dash 8, is there any chance they could re-open the Melbourne- Mount Hotham Route for the winter, which was closed in 2006 because there weren't enought aircraft, at this time Qantas Link and Rex were operating out of Mount Hotham (Australia's Highest Commercial Airport) to date no one is flying there except small charter companies on a booking only. And with the expectation of a good snow season, they would be stupid not to