TYPE: Twin-turboprop airliner.
PROGRAMME: Dash 8 Series 300 announced mid-1985 as stretch of Series 200; launched March 1986; first flight (modified Series 100 prototype C-GDNK) 15 May 1987; Canadian DoT certification 14 February 1989; first delivery (Time Air) 27 February 1989; FAA type approval 8 June 1989; now also certified in Antigua, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, Ireland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Zambia. Low-noise Dash 8 Q (see Series 200 for details) became standard version from 1996. A Q300 delivered to Air Nippon on 6 March 2001 was the 600th Dash 8.
CURRENT VERSION: Series 300, 300A, 300B and 300E: Initial versions.
Q300: Introduced 1998; differs from Q200 in having extended wingtips; 3.43 m (11 ft 3 in) two-plug fuselage extension giving standard seating for 50 at 81 cm (32 in) pitch or 56 at 74 cm (29 in) pitch, plus second cabin attendant; also larger galley, galley service door, additional wardrobe, larger lavatory, dual air conditioning packs and optional Turbomach T-40 APU; powered by 1,775 kW (2,380 shp) P&WC PW123s driving Hamilton Sundstrand 14SF-23 four-blade propellers standard in basic version; 1,864 kW (2,500 shp) PW 123Bs optional in basic and standard in high gross weight (HGW) versions provide increased mechanical power for improved take-off performance in low and cold conditions; optional 1,775 kW (2,380 shp) PW 123Es provide 5 per cent increase in thermodynamic power up to 40oC (96oF) for improved hot-and-high performance; fuel capacity as Q200; tyre pressures increased (mainwheels 6.69 bar; 97 lb/sq in, nosewheels 4.14 bar; 60 lb/sq in). NVS system standard on all aircraft produced from second quarter 1996.
CUSTOMERS: Firm orders for 206 by 31 March 2003, of which 198 then delivered.
COSTS: US$14.3 million (2000).
