What Makes the Q400 Amazing

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Published 2021-11-13
The Bombardier Dash 8 Q400's design is what allows it to do such an amazing job in the skies. In this video we go over why the aircraft uses turboprop engines, why the horizontal tail is situated where it is, and the geometry of the landing gear + wings in X-Plane 11.

My system specs:
RTX3070
32GB RAM
AMD Ryzen 9 3900
X-Plane 11.55 (Vulkan!)

0:00 Introduction
1:03 History
1:51 Q400's mission
2:48 Why turboprops?
4:10 Turboprop benefits and limitations
5:05 Horizontal stabilizer
6:12 Wing design
7:54 Conclusion

Add-ons:
Enhanced Skyscapes
Q4XP
Inibuilds A300
Zibo 737
Orbx TrueEarth GB
Toliss A319
Sparky 744

All Comments (21)
  • @FlyByMax
    Quick note: at 3:26 I mention that turboprops fly slower than jet aircraft. This is generally true, but I could have demonstrated it better by comparing True Air Speed (TAS) instead of Indicated Air Speed (IAS) as I did in the video. Comparing IAS is not a good idea since it is not your actual speed through the air, and it's also dependent on altitude. Long story short: since jet aircraft fly higher, this helps them in actually flying faster (even though IAS may give the impression you're flying slower). Thanks!
  • Holy crap. I'm in your video! At 1:36 the pilot in the right seat is me! I flew the Dash 7 for six and a half years. Great plane! Built like a tank.
  • @RealJ8
    Max, as you may know, hor-stabs are airfoils that are "flipped upside down" which create "lift" in the opposite direction, when sufficient airflow is flowing over and under it. Therefore what you'll have is a plane that tends to pitch up not down. Since you mentioned the Twin Otter... I suggest you google am image of it again and look at where the hor-stabs are positioned on it... they are right in the flow of thrust generated by the props.
  • @naturallyherb
    Really awesome! Love how the physics gets visualized in X-Plane 11! Have been really enjoying the Q4XP a lot these days! Definitely feel free to build a series on the Q400 design!
  • The Q400 is my favourite plane. I fly it with WestJet on most flights I take. One thing I've always found amazing about the Q400 is just how fast it is for a propeller-driven/turboprop aircraft. Its cruise speed of 667 km/h (414 mp/h), while slower than jets, is faster than the majority of propeller-driven/turboprop aircraft. The Q400 is a very common sight at my airport, Fort St John Regional Airport CYXJ. They are also very common in Canada, WestJet has 47 Q400's and Air Canada has 44 Q400's.
  • @chrisrinard4903
    Would love a more in-depth description on the aspect ratio, aerodynamics of different wing designs beyond the basics and from an Aero Engineer's perspective.
  • @Mjr._Kong
    I'm profoundly happy I found this channel. Honestly not even sure you could improve on this -- bravo!
  • @MaxQ10001
    Yes, please make a series. When the video was over I felt like I had watched the intro to a video and now the main content would begin. Please continue, this is so interesting  :-)
  • @AlpineWarren
    Correction - The horizontal stabilizer provides downforce for stability not lift - Additional airflow from the propellers causes the nose to pitch up - Not down.
  • @damonoriente736
    Hi Max. Superb video. I'm a bumbling X-Plane user, but I'm interested in the details of airplanes and flight, and your explanation was outstanding: clear, concise and informative. The flight sim community really benefits from videos of this quality. Like others, I feel you deserve a huge subscriber base, so I'll join the team. Thanks very much!
  • @davidmedlyn3475
    Hi Max, nice work. I love the simplicity of the Dash-8, especially in the cabin - no fancy computer screens to interrupt casual conversation with fellow passengers. Ahh, what air travel used to be like.
  • I agree with the other comments to develop an entire series to discuss the various aspects of the Q400 design. That would be awesome. You do a wonderful job of explaining the subject matter. Great work!!!!!!
  • @timthefox1757
    Loved the vid! Great stuff, keep up the good work! I love seeing new aviation content creators pop up
  • @MrNohab
    I am a frequent flyer on 400 Air Canada Express. Only problem what we run into quite often the lock of the luggage room. Sometimes the grand crew having difficult time to be able to fit all of the luggages and yes, we need to double the plane with a second 400, efficiency is gone. Other then that this little "Deery" is so much fun to fly and so cute! Yes, as you mentioned the braking power of the props reversing flow is amazing! Winter time on slippery runways is much much safer than the runners brake! Love this bird! ❤
  • Im taking a QANTAS Dash 8 400 from Brisbane to Longreach tommorrow. I loved the F27 Friendship, which was much loved here in Australia. However, i think the Dash 8 is a great replecement for the Friendship. It has proved itself well.
  • @lilice013
    Thank you for the video max! Yes please make a series, I'm interested in learning whatever it is you can share. it is just a cool to know thing for me. Appreciate the video bro!
  • No idea how this vid popped up on my recommended but I'm glad it did! Subscribed, keep up the good work!
  • An absolutely superb explanatory video. Clear, concise and highly professional. I would be delighted if you would continue to expand and develop the series. Top marks !