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| Dash 8 family | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dash 8 family |
| Type | Twin-turboprop regional airliner |
| Manufacturer | De Havilland Canada; Bombardier Aerospace; Longview Aviation Capital |
| First flight | 1983 |
| Introduced | 1984 |
| Status | In service |
Dash 8 family is a series of twin-turboprop regional airliners developed for short- to medium-haul routes by De Havilland Canada and later produced by Bombardier Aerospace and Longview Aviation Capital. The family influenced regional networks operated by airlines such as Air Canada, Horizon Air, QantasLink, British Airways and supported roles for militaries like the Royal Canadian Air Force and agencies including the United States Department of Homeland Security. Its operational history intersects with manufacturers, regulators, major airports, and leasing companies across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
De Havilland Canada initiated the program during interactions with operators including Airlines of Ontario, Wardair, Canadian Pacific Airlines and designers with ties to the Vickers Viscount, de Havilland Comet, and the broader lineage of de Havilland Canada DHC series. Bombardier's acquisition linked the type to corporate strategy decisions influenced by Bombardier Inc. executives, finance from institutions like the Royal Bank of Canada, and regulatory certification by authorities such as Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration. The airframe emphasized short-field performance derived from research at the National Research Council Canada and aerodynamic work related to leading-edge devices used on types like the Fokker F27 and ATR 42. Design choices for noise reduction, wing geometry, and Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop engines connected suppliers including Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Standard, and avionics from Honeywell International and Rockwell Collins. Cabin and systems design reflected input from carriers such as Airlines of Ontario and Pacific Western Airlines, with production challenges overseen by trade unions like the Unifor successor organizations and provincial governments in Ontario and Quebec.
The family branched into series developed to meet specifications from operators including Air Canada Jazz, Horizon Air, BA CityFlyer, QantasLink, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Notable models were created alongside competitor types like the ATR 72, Saab 340, Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia, and Bombardier CRJ100/200 regional jets. Variant designations arose from market demands connected to leasing firms such as AerCap and GECAS, and to government procurement programs run by entities like the Canadian Armed Forces and the United States Coast Guard. Modifications for surveillance, medevac, and VIP transport involved contractors including CAE, L-3 Communications, and Sikorsky subcontractors, with certification interfaces involving the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and national aviation authorities.
Airlines, militaries, and government agencies operated the type across networks linking hubs such as Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Sydney Airport, and Tokyo Haneda Airport. Commercial operators included legacy and low-cost carriers like Air Canada, British Airways Regional (franchise), Qantas, HOP!, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Iberia Regional, Porter Airlines, WestJet Encore, and feeder operations for groups like Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. Military and government users comprised the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, United States Customs and Border Protection, and coast guard services leveraging platforms for patrol and logistics in collaboration with entities such as NATO and regional defense ministries. Roles extended to cargo operations for integrators like FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, as well as humanitarian missions coordinated with organizations including the United Nations and Doctors Without Borders.
Performance metrics were benchmarked against contemporaries like the ATR 42, Saab 340, and regional jets such as the Bombardier CRJ700. Engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada provided cruise speeds, climb rates, and fuel consumption figures relevant to airline economic models analyzed by consultants from Oliver Wyman and IATA. Operational performance at airports including Halifax Stanfield International Airport and St. John's International Airport demonstrated short-field capability similar to turboprops such as the Fokker F27. Avionics suites from Honeywell International and Rockwell Collins enabled navigation and safety compliance under standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization and national regulators. Payload, range, and runway performance varied by model and outfitting specified by customers including Porter Airlines and military program offices.
Production histories were shaped by corporate events involving De Havilland Canada, Bombardier Aerospace, and the acquisition by Longview Aviation Capital, with supply chains reaching firms like Airbus subcontractors and parts suppliers regulated under procurement frameworks influenced by agencies such as Canada Revenue Agency and provincial economic development ministries. Service histories included delivery programs for airlines like Air Canada Express, QantasLink, Horizon Air, and incident responses coordinated with Transportation Safety Board of Canada, National Transportation Safety Board, and national accident investigation bodies. High-profile incidents and accidents prompted studies by investigators associated with NTSB, TSB Canada, and legal actions involving firms such as Airbus legal teams and insurers like AIG. The type remains in active use with secondary-market transactions facilitated by lessors including AerCap and SMBC Aviation Capital and continues to appear in fleet plans of regional operators worldwide.
Category:De Havilland Canada aircraft Category:Bombardier aircraft