DH8C difference course to DH8D
 

Hello colleagues out there,

I have a short question.
Can someone tell me whether there's an approved difference course from q300 to q400, what time efforts it would take (Sim, theoretical courses etc.) and who in Europe offers this?

Furthermore it would be interesting how much it would cost an airline operator to sponsor this difference course. If you haven't any information because this lady isn't flown that often anymore, I would ask the course provider himself.

Btw i tortured the search but couldn't find a satisfactory answer.

thanks & all time happy landings :ok:

It has been a while already, but the difference training from -300 to -400 consisted of a 4 days theoretical course followed by a few simulator sessions and IIRC 5 legs of supervision in my company.

However, the -300 has been phased out here in the meanwhile, so no more of these courses are done. One company that still operates both variants is Wideroe - You might want to give them a call. Or contact DHC at Toronto straight away; they might be of some assistance as well.

One word of warning: in my opinion, flying the -300 and the -400 under one type rating is not without difficulties. The aircraft may have superficially similar systems, but limitations, system operation and handling differ significantly in detail. Among others, power settings especially in the OEI case, engine startup procedures, flare height, descent planning and also runway performance are rather different. A little spreadsheet showing significant numbers and data of the -300 vs. the -400 is a valuable help and best kept close at hand at least during the initial stage of dual operation.

Hi Tu.114,

many thanks for your quick answer. I think i didn't state it clearly.
I don't want to fly both AC's simultaneously. I just want to figure out whether it's useful to apply for a q400 job while holding a current q300 rating.

Therefore i needed to know how big the effort is and if someone offers this course at all.

Can you estimate the costs the new employer would have?

greets

Wien I did the conversion, I had 4-5 days of ground school to cover the tech. differences and operational differences. After that I had 3 sessions in the sim, and then some supervision on line before release.

I have no idea about the potential costs for an employer, but it is regarded as only a differences training, so I would think this could be arranged in-house so to say. The cost would be far less than a full DHC8-rating, so I guess you could have a slight edge. But who knows these days.

I operate both versions randomly, and I must say they are two different beasts. Engine management/operation, landing technique and EFIS layout, being the major differences apart from the c***py climb performance of the -300 compared to the -400 :eek:

Hi Dash-Driver,
I have no number to offer to You, but the costs for the difference training should be way below those for a full typerating. The difference course has far less theory classes, simulator sessions etc - however, some traffic patterns were flown in my company before supervision started.

Another point worth considering maybe: Many companies (mine included) require fresh entrants to pass a type rating (not just a differences course) in their own TRTO, regardless of what rating the applicant may or may not have held before. Should the company You wish to apply with have the same rule, You will have the distinct advantage of finding many things familiar from the -300 in the -400, but Your experience will save the company no money.