Description:
Bombardier's Q Series is a family of turboprop passenger aircraft outstanding by its durability and low noise emissions. These aircraft are also known as de Havilland Dash 8, Dash 8 designation also refers to Q100 model. They operate on regional routes and is enabled for operation at extreme climates such as arctic, tropic or desert. Originally, Dash 8 was the name assigned to this aircraft but in the 1990s Bombardier changed to Q Series to remark it was a quiet aircraft. As of 2005, more than 650 of these aircraft have been sold logging more than 13 million flight hours so far.
Bombardier has developed a family of turboprop aircraft varying the seating capacity from 37- to 70-seat which share a common crew training. Bombardier introduced a new Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system in the Q Series aircraft for enhanced cabin comfort. The NVS system also lowered the noise emissions to unprecedented levels which were deemed as unattainable in the previous generations of turboprop aircraft.
Bombardier launched the Q300 project in 1986 two years after the first Q100 was handed over. Three years later in 1989, the first Q300 entered service with a regional carrier of Canada. The Q300 was the first aircraft belonging to the Q Series introducing more power and an extended fuselage to increase its seating capacity. Q300 is longer than Q100 by 3.4 meters (11-ft) and holds 50 to 56 seats. Its take-off and landing characteristics make the Q300 well suited for operation from unprepared airfields such those found in developing countries.
The Q300 aircraft is powered by two PW123B turboprop engines rated at 2,500 shp. These engines allow for enhanced operation in high and hot conditions while delivering increased cruise speed. The maximum takeoff weight was increased thanks to the engines power surplus. The cruise range can be extended a little compared with Q100 using additional fuel tanks drawing out in excess of 2,000 kilometers. Anyways, take-off and landing operations can be done on runways of 1,200 meters long.
On 19 June 1997, Austrian carrier Rheintalflug Seewald Geselleschaft mbH placed an order for one Dash 8 Series 300 plus another on option. On 29 October 1997, Taiwan's Great China Airlines placed an order for two Q300s valued at $27.7 million. On 13 November 1997, Austria's Tyrolean Airways placed an order for three Q300s. On 9 February 1998, Tyrolean Airways placed an order for two Q300 and one Q400 turboprop aircraft. On 10 February 1998, Jordan's Royal Wings placed an order for one Q300 turboprop aircraft. On 18 March 1998, UK-based Brymon Airways placed an order for 8 Q300 airplanes valued at $118 million with aircraft deliveries due between 1998 and 1999.
On 15 April 1998, Wideroe's Flyveselskap of Norway placed an order for two Q300 airplanes plus an option for one additional aircraft. The firm order aircraft were valued at $27 million. On 18 May 1998, Augsburg Airways of Germany placed an order for four Q300 and two Q200 turboprop airplanes worth $78 million. On 19 November 1998, BWIA International Airways of Trinidad placed an order for two Q300 aircraft plus another two as option. Aircraft deliveries were set for 1999 and the two firm order aircraft were valued at $27.2 million.
�On 17 March 1999, British carrier Jersey European Airways placed an order valued at $250 million for 3 Q200, 4 Q300, 4 Q400 and 4 CRJ200 airplanes. On 1 October 1999, Air Nippon placed an order for three Q300 aircraft. On 28 January 2000, Qantas Airways placed an order for one Q300 aircraft. On 19 December 2000, Air Senegal International ordered one Q300 valued at $14.3 million to be delivered in 2001.
On 11 October 2001, Egypt's Petroleum Air Services purchased two Q300 turboprop airplanes plus options on five additional aircraft. The firm order aircraft were valued at $30 million and deliveries were scheduled to begin in 2002 and continue through 2004. On 17 December 2003, Qantas Airways placed an order for six Q300 and took options on two additional aircraft to be delivered in 2004. On 10 October 2004, Air New Zealand placed an order for 17 Q300 turboprop aircraft valued at $270 million and deliveries beginning in 2005. The contract included options on 10 Q300s and 13 Q400s which could increase the contract value to $716 million.
On January 11, 2005, the Swedish Coast Guard ordered three Q300 turboprop aircraft modified to support maritime surveillance missions. Aircraft deliveries to the Swedish Coast Guards were scheduled for 2007. These aircraft will feature a FLIR and a Side Looking Radar (SLAR). On 14 March 2005, Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) placed an order for one Q300 to be delivered in 2006.
On 13 October 2005, Caribbean Aircraft Leasing placed an order for three Q300 turboprop aircraft valued at $49 million on behalf of its regional airline affiliates, Caribbean Star Airlines Limited and Caribbean Sun Airlines Inc. Aircraft deliveries were expected to commence the second quarter of 2006.
On 4 January 2005, Bombardier announced that Caribbean Aircraft Leasing was ordering a Q-300 50-seat turboprop airliner worth $16 million.
On February 7, 2006 Ryukyu Air Commuter (RAC) of Japan executed a contract option with Bombardier Aerospace for one Q300 turboprop aircraft. The Q300 was converted from a Q100 airliner option.
Australia's National Air Support (NAS) of Adelaide placed a firm order for three Bombardier Q300 turboprop airplanes customized as Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) on March 6, 2006. These airplanes were bought to meet the Surveillance Australia Coastwatch program. The order was valued at $53 million at list prices.
On 8 March 2006, Petroleum Air Services (PAS) of Cairo ordered one more Bombardier Q300 turboprop aircraft valued at $17.4 million to increase its fleet to five such airplanes.
On November 3, 2006, Air New Zealand placed a firm order for three 50-seat Bombardier Q300 turboprop airliners worth $48.6 million on behalf of its wholly owned regional airline subsidiary Air Nelson. These airplanes are converted options from an October 2004 order for 17 Q300s.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 3, Passengers 56
Dimensions: Height 7.5 m, Length 25.7 m, Wingspan 27.4 m
Weights: Max Weight 19,505 kg (43,000 lb), Min Weight 11,791 kg (25,994 lb), Payload 6,126 kg (13,505 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 7,620 m (25,000 ft), Cruise Speed 147 mps (529 kph), Max Range 2,034 km (1,098 nm)
Australia
Austria
Canada
Egypt
Germany
Japan
Jordan
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Senegal
South Africa
Spain
Taiwan
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
United States of America