De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400

Operational Profile & High-Speed Turboprop Concept

Developed by Bombardier / De Havilland Canada as the stretched, high-speed member of the Dash 8 Series 400, the Q400 bridges the performance gap between conventional turboprops and regional jets. With a 360-knot (667 km/h) cruise speed, it achieves jet-like block times on routes up to 500 NM while burning 30% less fuel.

Across Europe, the Q400 is heavily utilized by Widerøe (operating along Norway's rugged coastal fjords), Olympic Air (Greek island domestic network), Luxair (central European business shuttle routes), and Croatia Airlines.

Aircraft Systems, ANVS & PW150A Propulsion

• Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A Engines: Two FADEC-controlled turboprops flat-rated to 5,071 SHP (3,781 kW) each — over twice the shaft horsepower of the ATR 72. Drives 4.11-meter (13 ft 6 in) 6-bladed Dowty R408 composite propellers at 1,020 RPM for takeoff and a quiet 850 RPM in cruise.
• Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS): The "Q" ("Quiet") designation stems from its computer-controlled ANVS system. Cabin-mounted accelerometers monitor blade-passage frequency vibrations and drive Fuselage Active Tuned Vibration Absorbers (ATVA) on the structural frames to cancel out noise and vibration.
• Thales Avionics & Flight Controls: Five-screen 6×8-inch LCD EFIS architecture. Pitch control uses dual mechanical cables to hydraulic PCUs on the T-tail elevators; roll uses mechanical ailerons augmented by hydraulically powered roll spoilers; yaw uses a dual-stage hydraulically powered rudder with dynamic Q-feel limiting.
• Landing Gear Design: Retractable rearward-folding main landing gear housed inside the extended engine nacelles, featuring a wide 8.79 m track for high crosswind stability.

Detailed Technical Specifications