Qantaslink MEL Base Q400 schedules loaded.

[Stationair8]

Thanks for that EWL.

[tasdevil.f27]

I see the 400 only knocks off 10 minutes of flight time between LST - MEL. I thought it might have been a tad more than that. Still the business people will be happy getting in a bit earlier into MEL.

[Led Zep]

It probably would take more off assuming Normasars is correct about cruise settings.

[Stationair8]

Is the Dash8-400 a Cat B or C aircraft for IFR?

[SGT Schulz]

Flight Plan as C

[Normasars]

DOG,

There is a big difference between what the a/c is certified at than what QL operate it at buddy. Fly it at its designed speed and it is 80kt slower not 130kt.
It is just the been counters saying "keep the fuel burn down" that is incurring the speed penalty as the previous issues re EMU/ITT/EGT have been fixed by P&W.

BTW the Q400 is being certified to operate as 74pax as we speak. The mods are currently underway and awaiting regulatory approval.

[dizzylizzy]

Removal of the rear wardrobe and replaced with 2 pax seats. When will they start changing the fwd cargo into seat areas aswell?

[Hugh Jarse]

Gidday Normas',

So how does that affect the cabin crew ratio 1:36 with 74 seats? Or have QL gone to 1:50 ratio?

Regards.

[Eastwest Loco]

Hiya Hugh

Haven't seen you in a donkeys age!

Good call. One more FA would be needed and the maximum SOB including infants would be very very stretched if no extra FA.

Over water, definitely 36 per FA under what I understand is the current reg.

We used to get into untidy places with the F28-4000 with previously undeclared rug rats, or when trying to jump-seat on a full ship with the max INF count. I think it was 3 on the type.


Best all

EWL

[apacau]

74 seat option will only be sold as 74 seats when exemption given for 2 F/A per flight. Have they been fitted yet? Last I heard seats were purchased but not yet installed?

No doubt DJ are waiting on this with their E170s which must be at a significant cost disadvantage (aside from fuel burn aspect) with 3 F/As vs Q400's 2 F/As

[Normasars]

Hi Jarse,

Hope all is well with you and yours mate.

As I understand it, CASA approval for 74pax to 2 CC is pending. They have been pursuing this vigourously now for a while.

I spoke to M.B. from CASA the other day on the jump seat but he was a tad "non-committal ".

Like everything within QF; as pillots we will be the last to know.

APACAU,

only when ALL the Q400 fleet is config'd will the approval be issued and only then will the "74 seats be released for sale" their words not mine

This will take a couple of mths according to the FOAB/FOSO.

[Eastwest Loco]

Can I take it that the extra 2 seats will be rearface as in the Q300?

Regards

EWL

[Icarus53]

Nope - they're taking out the rear wardrobe/storage locker to make 19A/B. There has always been a 19C/D but on the other side of the aisle was just a locker and an emergency equipment cupboard behind 18A/B. Now 19 will be a complete row.

I know the CC aren't all that enthused - not only will we all have to put our luggage in the forward compartment, there will be no room to stow all the used catering items (empty SUs, drained waste etc.) But it's not like we should expect anyone to consult with the people who actually operate the aircraft before changing the config.

[Eastwest Loco]

Ask the CC their opinion?

Never has and never will happen.

Any airline should run an average of 80% occupancy over a given week. Anything over that reflects under capacity.

The Q300 and Q400 (and their little sisters) are configured at a comfortable seat pitch that makes LCCs look like a Chiropractos dream.

My youngest son is 6'8" and is at Uni in HBAS so has to put up with Crapstar or DJ out of their and just adores the Dash out of here.

Ansett tried to apply a 3-3 config to the BAe 146 fleet after they sto;e us. It was a nightmare.

Leave the girls as they were designed.

Aeroplane manufacturers know a whole heap more than accountants who use their personality as a contraceptive.

Best all

EWL

[Stationair8]

6'8", wtf did you feed him as a young fella?

Make him stand in cow patties on a cold morning?

Suppose he was fed on mothers milk then weaned onto Boags?

[Southern handler]

Q400'S are being sold a 72 seats on some routes, not sure when this started but yep yep its happenng

[Going Nowhere]

SH,

The Q400's already seat 72 as standard, the increase will be to 74 seats.

And apparently all crew bags will be stowed in the rear hold.

[burger61]

Q400 seats

First aircraft was had mods done when it was in for its check - next aircraft in for check at the moment - as someone said the seats are not installed as yet.
re the question asked about CC being consulted - yes they were as I was involved in some of the risk assessments - my opinion is rubbish will be the big issue now the cupboards gone

[Southern handler]

opps i meant 74

[apacau]

Q400 now also loaded on selected MEL-CBR flights, shaving 15mins off the block time.