Dash 8 Delivery

Finally got to fly in one of the Q400s this time; big improvement on the -300 … or was it just the fact that I was on the way home??!! 😀

C-GDFF flew today.

looks like C-GDFF did a test flight today.

Just out of interest C-GDCQ (still with Canadian Reg) was ground running at Cabinda this morning, C-GDFF was where it was 4 weeks ago and looks ‘mothballed’ – cockpit and cabin windows all have internal coverings/blinds in place.

Yeah, well it looks like Air Service of Gabon, who also operated a couple of Dash 8s, is going down the tubes. They were grounded on the weekend according to the local newspaper and me mate who works(ed) there.

Air Service Gabon – Wiki

Just out of interest C-GDCQ (still with Canadian Reg) was ground running at Cabinda this morning, C-GDFF was where it was 4 weeks ago and looks ‘mothballed’ – cockpit and cabin windows all have internal coverings/blinds in place.

The ferry flight of C-GDFF to Angola was as follows:

Jul 12th Toronto to St. Johns 1165 miles

Jul 12th St. Johns to Azores 1213 miles

Jul 13th Azores to Dakar 1468 miles

Jul 13th Dakar to Accra 1213 miles

Jul 14th Accra to Cabinda 1031 miles

Fascinating – many thanks!

Thanks, welcome to the Forum from where? Intimate knowledge of the route? 😀

Ferry Flight

The ferry flight of C-GDFF to Angola was as follows:

Jul 12th Toronto to St. Johns 1165 miles

Jul 12th St. Johns to Azores 1213 miles

Jul 13th Azores to Dakar 1468 miles

Jul 13th Dakar to Accra 1213 miles

Jul 14th Accra to Cabinda 1031 miles

The route taken for SA Express Dash-8 delivery flights was;

Toronto; St John in Newfoundland; Santa Maria in the Azores; SAL Island; Abidjan; Libreville and then Johannesburg.

I guess the Angolan flight would have been much the same during the first sector.

When does ownership of the plane change from D.H. to the airline? Probably irrelevant as I believe the planes may be leased from a Belgium company.

Thanks for all the info people. Incidentally HeliMalongo are one of the airlines banned from operating within the EU, but presumably this would have no effect on a delivery flight from the makers?

Can I suggest Toronto, St.John’s, Azores, Lisbon, somewhere in Africa, Angola! 😉

My mate’s reply, although he doesn’t mention the route followed:

Funny you should ask Ralph. I was hoping to take that one over last month, but had to do a trip to Australia. But Monday I should be taking another new Q400 to Angola. The range is about 1800 NMs max. Do it in about 5 legs. But South African Express has 4 Q400, and that is farther trip.

This may have been the Dash 8-402, c/n 4312 that was delivered 20/6/10. The registration might be D2-EUO and its Canadian reg. was C-GDCQ. There is a new Dash 8 on order and it is c/n 4315, C-GDFF. The range of the aircraft with passengers is 2400 km or 1300 miles. Surprised the spotters didn’t get it if it came through Europe?:confused:

I know a senior ferry pilot from DHC, I will forward your query to him….cheers