We’ve got the regional jet thread, so how about a regional prop thread!?!
I am a big fan of the Fokker props and have been since I flew in the Fokker 27 on domestic flights in Iceland (domestic flying in iceland is really something else, especially some of teh approaches like Isafjordur!) and my first Fokker 50 flights in Iceland. The Fokker 50 is a superb aircraft and nothing at London City beats it on that nose dive approach!
However I think the latest Dash 8 offering looks too narrow, and, frankly, is one of the most hideous aircraft in current service!
By: Comet - 22nd January 2004 at 11:45
The answers are very interesting, especially the support for the Dash 8! On another forum I go on, someone asked a similiar question as a poll and the Dash 8 had no support at all. I ahve heard that Jetstreams are not up to much for flying in and the ATP had a weird reputation, but on the whole I think props have their place.
By: G-OJET - 22nd January 2004 at 09:06
From my experiences, the best I’ve been has to be between Flybe’s Dash 8 Q400 and the good old ATR72. They both feel spacious to me, and not at all like your in a Turboprop!
The most frightening has to be the Jetstream 31! I had the displeasure of BHX-LGW with Community Express Airlines (if anyone remembers them?) many years ago. I couldn’t let go of the seat in front of me all the way there, and I fly as cabin crew for a living too! I guess the fact that the flight deck door was an old curtain didn’t help either!
🙂
By: starjet - 21st January 2004 at 22:08
Dash-8
By: wysiwyg - 21st January 2004 at 21:18
My decision isn’t based on looks but on performance and effectiveness in its role. However if an airline wanted a 30, 50 and a 70 seater…then the Dash series answers your every need very nicely. Can’t think of anything else that accommodates so effectively.
By: wysiwyg - 21st January 2004 at 20:12
Best 30ish seater – Dornier 328
Best 50ish seater – Saab 2000
Best 70ish seater – Dash 8 Q400
Anything still running Dart engines needs condemning (and of course ATP’s)! 😀
By: Jeanske_SN - 21st January 2004 at 16:26
Fokker 50 engines on take off gives such a powerful impression! Incredible. The prop sound first accelerates, and then it sounds like an xtremely loud truck horn. The Dornier aircraft are difficult to make profit with.
We all know the ATR is THE best; STOL, good cruise speed and very efficient.
By: tenthije - 21st January 2004 at 16:12
I have never flown on a modern prop, although I have been inside a F27 and a F60 (sixty!). Therefore I can only judge based on looks. I think the F27/50/60 are best.
I really disliked the Do328 but a least the prop version has grown on me. The jet version is still bad looking if you ask me, but I have seen one only twice.
I never really cared much for the S340/2000 and its lookalike the ATP/BAe748. It just does not seem right. Maybe because they have a high wing! 😉
The Dash 8 looks disproportionate except for the smaller versions. The same goes for the ATR. The 42 I kind a like, but the 72 is just silly.
By: Hand87_5 - 21st January 2004 at 15:50
I mainly flew on ATR 42 and 72.
That’s a pretty confortable and pleasant plane.
By: Comet - 21st January 2004 at 15:02
I like the Dornier 328, I got some really good video of one taking off from London City last year. The older Dash 8 looks better than the newer one. I think the newer one looks too long and narrow and proportionately wrong. I just don’t like the look of it. The ATR props are quite good though, and the Saab 2000 is superb to video because of its superb climb away perormance.
By: adamdowley - 21st January 2004 at 14:19
However I think the latest Dash 8 offering looks too narrow, and, frankly, is one of the most hideous aircraft in current service!
How can u say that? i love the look of the Dash 8!!! it looks so cool!
i also quite like the Dornier 328, and jetstream 41. i don’t like any another regioanl props i.e. the fokkers – they’re ugly.
adam
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January 21, 2004 at 11:23 am