10 Things You Didn’t Know about the Bombardier Q200
The Bombardier Q200 is one of the most popular planes used by aviation companies to serve shorter routes. It is mostly preferred because of its fuel economy, which makes it ideal for flying small batches of passengers. While it has had a fair share of accidents, most of which did not result in fatalities, it has maintained a solid grip on its market share. If you are going to start a small airline for a medium range route, this plane may be the first you will buy.
1. The Seats
The Bombardier Q200 has 37 passenger seats and 2 pilot seats, with each having a pitch of 31 inches and width of 17.3 inches. That means the pitch is just above the industry average for economy class. The pitch is the distance between points on one seat and the same points on the seat in front. More pitch means more legroom. In some cases, if the seat’s backrest is thicker, the amount of legroom will reduce.
2. Best Seats
Most passengers rate the seats just behind the door opening to be among the best. Passengers rate those in the middle section as standard seats. Seats on the last row at the back are rated as the most uncomfortable. In general, if you are less than six foot tall, and of average weight, the seats in the middle section should serve you well. As you may have expected this rating does not include the two pilot seats.
3. Powerful Engines
The Bombardier Q200 has more powerful engines than the Q100, although they have the same capacity of 39 seats. The engines used in this plane are the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123, and they have a rating of 2,150-shp or 1,600kW.
4. Noise Suppression
The Bombardier Q200 model was produced after 1997, which is why it is denoted with a Q. The Q indicates that it has a noise suppression feature in its cabin, which its earlier models did not have. You will therefore notice that if you board a Bombardier 200, you will experience a lot more noise than from the Bombardier Q200.
5. Airframe
The Bombardier Q200 shares the same airframe with the Bombardier 100 series. That means the more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123 engine is the main feature that sets them apart. That is why they share the same passenger capacity.
6. Production Ceased in 2009
All the Bombardier Q200 planes that are in service today were manufactured in 2009 or before 2009. The manufacture of the Q200 and the Q300 was stopped in May 2009. If you like traveling in newer planes, then you should know the “newest” is almost a decade old. However, if you prefer a plane that has proved its reliability for years, then add all Q200 planes in services to that least.
7. Shortest Fuselage
The Q200 along with its predecessor the Q100, have the shortest fuselage. That explains why it has the least seat capacity compared to other Bombardier Q series. The design of the shorter fuselage was deliberate because the target market was airlines operating shorter routes where their plane may at times fly half-empty. A smaller capacity means it will be full most of the time.
8. Fuel Economy
When Bombardier Q200 was initially designed a great fuel economy in mind, and had a better cruise performance. Compared to jet liners, it has an efficiency of up to 60% and a minimum fuel efficiency of 30%. It has a fuel capacity of 835 U.S. gallons or 3,160 L. The Q200 and its predecessors were advertised as being able to break even, when they are half or a third full.
9. Runway
The Bombardier Q200 can operate on a much shorter runway compared to regional jets. Moreover, it has a lower maintenance costs and shorter range. It has a maximum payload of 8,921 lb or 4,647 kg. When fully laden, it only needs a runway of 2,200 ft or 670 m to take off. The Short Take OFF and Landing or STOL was the main marketing features of the Q200 and its predecessors.
10. Cruise Altitude
The Bombardier Q200 has a maximum cruise altitude of 25,000 ft or 7,620 m, which is high enough to allow it economize of fuel. However, this significantly lower altitude means you will feel more turbulence that you would feel when travelling in a regional liner.
We hope that you found this article to be engaging and informative. Moreover, you will see the Bombardier Q200 in a different light as you enjoy your next flight.
