DE HAVILLAND CANADA DASH 7-8

Takeoff run 5,700. Landing roll 3,040. Range 970-1,100 nm. Design of the Dash 7 STOL airliner began in 1972 in response to a market survey of short-haul transport requirements. The first production example took to the air in 1977, and certification followed within that same year. Each of the four turboprop engines (two on each wing) drives a Hamilton constant-speed full-feathering reversible-pitch four-blade propeller made from fiberglass. The props are slow-turning to reduce noise levels, so that the landing approach noise level on a three-degree glideslope is 92.4 EPNdB. Maximum seating is for 50 passengers divided on either side of a center aisle, a flightcrew of two, and two cabin attendants. Up to five standard pallets can be carried by the Dash 7 in an all-cargo configuration. Development of the Dash 8 followed in the late 70s as De Havilland perceived a market for 30-40 seat airliners. Like the Dash 7, the aircraft features a high wing and T tail. The Dash 8 has been continually upgraded and comes in sizes to fit the mission. The Dash 8-Q200 holds 37 passengers, the -Q300 accommodates 50 passengers; the largest, the -Q400, can hold 70. The newest Dash-8s come equipped with a computer-controlled noise and vibration suppression system, indicated by the "Q" (standing for quiet) before the model/number designator.