Any more Dash 8 200s?

[Dick Smith]

I’ve heard a rumour that just as the Twin Otter is now being re-manufactured under the Viking name, there is a chance this could happen with the Dash 8 200s.

In Australia, the Sydney to Lord Howe Island service needs a Dash 8 200 because of the short runway.

Has anyone got any information on this rumour?

[DaveReidUK]

Sounds highly unlikely.

[rugmuncher]

It's going to be a 300 derivative. DHC are currently polling customers to see what their requirements are and they are going to configure a "new" variant accordingly. Will need DeHavilland Field construction completed soon though.
FYI, the C6 has been in production by Viking for many years now.

[OldLurker]

Is the Dash 8-200 really the only practical aircraft for Sydney–Lord Howe Island? Other short-field aircraft are surely available. I've heard of a STOL variant of the ATR 42-600, for example?

[Climb150]

ATR 42-600S (the STOL version) has same performance as the DHC 8-200 so I don't see why.

[Capt Fathom]

ATR 42-600S (the STOL version) has same performance as the DHC 8-200 so I don't see why.

ATR website suggests a runway requirement of *800 - 1000m. *800m with a 70% payload over 200nm. Not much return on your capital there for the Lord Howe run.

[jethro15]

I’ve heard a rumour that just as the Twin Otter is now being re-manufactured under the Viking name, there is a chance this could happen with the Dash 8 200s.

About as much chance of knitting fog!

[Climb150]

Originally Posted by Capt Fathom

ATR website suggests a runway requirement of *800 - 1000m. *800m with a 70% payload over 200nm. Not much return on your capital there for the Lord Howe run.

​​​​​​Can you tell me what the DHC 8-200 numbers are for the current ops?

[Dick Smith]

It's only 888 m long with a leg of 430 nm from Sydney and then about another 330 nm to the nearest mainland alternate which is mandatory

I have been informed that the ATR has nowhere near the range required!

[procede]

Originally Posted by Dick Smith

It's only 888 m long with a leg of 430 nm from Sydney and then about another 330 nm to the nearest mainland alternate which is mandatory

I have been informed that the ATR has nowhere near the range required!

The alternate fuel is only needed on landing (not take off) I would think as there are enough alternates around Sydney.

So you would also barely have to put in any fuel for the trip to Sydney.

[Capt Fathom]

Originally Posted by procede

So you would also barely have to put in any fuel for the trip to Sydney.

But you need to get to Lord Howe to be able to do that!

[Dick Smith]

So you need a 760 nm range out of Sydney plus IFR reserves.

How many airline aircraft can do that with an economic passenger count and still be able to land and takeoff from 2800 feet?

That's why there may be a market for the dash 200 hence the rumour.

[Stationair8]

Don’t forget to allow for the westerly wind on the return leg, Sydney weather holding and traffic holding/delays.

[Timmy Tomkins]

Solve the problem with the mighty Dash 7, that can cope with all that. Few about and no market for them sadly.

[Climb150]

I don't think one route to a tiny island in the Pacific is going to convince someone to re open an aircraft production line!

[Asturias56]

the ATR 42-600S can access close to 500 airports with an 800–1,000 m (2,600–3,300 ft) runway, expanding its addressable market by 25%.[18] 800 m runway operation is limited to 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi) long flights with 70% used seats.[19]

[procede]

Including the turnpads, the length is above 1 km. I think an ATR42-600s with some restrictions (fewer seats) should work.

Would it be possible to fit an auxiliary fuel tank?

[compressor stall]

TORA / ASDA is 888m
LDA RWY 28 768m

there might be 1km of bitumen but those are the numbers.

[rmcdonal]

Originally Posted by Dick Smith

So you need a 760 nm range out of Sydney plus IFR reserves.

How many airline aircraft can do that with an economic passenger count and still be able to land and takeoff from 2800 feet?

That's why there may be a market for the dash 200 hence the rumour.

But is it economical? How many destinations meet that requirement? Is there a market for a 30 seat long range (by turboprop standard) short field aircraft?
it would be nice for a 30 seat replacement aircraft to come onto the market, both the Q300 and Saab340 are getting a little long in the tooth and the ATR42 is a little too big, but a 1900 is a bit too small.

[CI300]

Well, there is actually a review underway at the moment in Canada. There is some strong interest globally at both ongoing support of existing 100/200/300 airframes and is looking at the feasibility of restarting production.

The -200 risk is well known and identified in the Lord Howe context. There was also a study into extending Lord Howe.

https://www.lhib.nsw.gov.au/sites/de...20Part%206.pdf