DHC8 questions

[Razor2]

Why is the Q400 and the DHC8 not in the same fleetgroup? It has more in common than some other aircraft which are considered the same.

[Dorito_25]

I think they're made by different manufacturers. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone...

[Razor2]

They have more common parts than some 757-200 and 757-300s. Same procedures, same type rating, the Q400 was essentially designed by DHC as the DHC8-400, but DHC was bought by Boeing and later by Bombardier. If I'm not mistaken some were even sold with DHC8 designation.

[Sami]

This has been discussed before and is a bit of an tricky issue..

Maintenancewise they would be the same, to some extent. But the fleet groups also govern scheduling and having the slow DHC8 "old-gen" and fast DHC8-Q400 in the same group cannot work because the new model is so much faster. As all routes are made to a fleet group and the "scheduled speeds" for those planes must be the same, and that clearly isn't with those models.

So it's been a choice between two systems.. And so far I haven't seen it necessary to introduce a second grouping to the planes to handle this, as there are only these 1-2 exceptions.