
ORIGINAL TEXT BY THE AUTHOR OF THE PLANE: Dennis Wasnich
(See below for information about Kenya Airways)

The "Dash 7" is well-known for its STOL capability, and was the largest in de Havilland Canada's line of STOL commuter aircraft.  Despite being out of production since 1988, many still consider it to be unrivaled in its STOL and low noise capabilities.  It was designed primarily as a 50-seat commuter airliner capable of servicing 3,000 foot runways.  To achieve this, four Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop engines, advanced wings, and double-slotted trailing edge flaps were used, dramatically improving the lifting surface during takeoff.

Specifications:
Wingspan: 93 feet
Length: 80 feet 8 inches
Height: 26 feet 2 inches
Wingarea: 860 sq ft
Powerplants: Four 1,220 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-50 turboprops driving four-bladed constant speed Hamilton Standard propellers
Weight: 27,480 pounds empty, 47,000 max takeoff
Max cruising speed: 230 knots
Long range cruising speed: 215 knots
Service ceiling: 21,000 feet
STOL takeoff distance @ 41,000 lb: 2,260 feet
Range with 50 passengers at max cruising speed: 1,140 nm
Capacity: Crew of 2, seating for 50 passengers (optional for 54)

(The following information is courtesy of Siegfried Lenz (Dash 7 captain) of Vienna, Austria.  Thanks for your help!):
"Double-slotted trailing edge flaps run the entere span of the high mounted wing to increase the lifting surface during takeoff.  There are actually small ailerons on the outboard wing. Because of their small size roll control is augmented by two independent roll spoiler systems.  Extra lift is also gained by passing the air from the relatively slow-moving propellers over the wings.
"Powerplants: Four 1,220 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-50 turboprops driving four-bladed constant speed Hamilton Standard propellers.  Unfortunately thats just 1120 shp (at 1210 RPM).
"Service ceiling: 21,000 feet
"The maximum operating altitude with passengers is 20.300ft due to pressurization limitations (cabin altitude exceeds 8000ft above this altitude), but the airplane is certified (and able to fly up) to 25000ft. Operation above 18000ft is next to impossible with any but a very light load.
"STOL takeoff distance @ 41,000 lb: 2,260 feet
"The airplane will lift off within 700 to 800ft at light loads and can be stopped within a ground roll of 400ft, which sure looks quite impressive. Even at higher weights a ground roll of 1000ft can be achieved."
-----------

The simulation is painted in Tyrolean livery, and it includes working flaps (double-slotted, as best as I could make them in FSFS), lights, strobes, and landing gear.  This is an upgrade (sort of) of the Dash 7 (-150 version) I made a year ago.  I was always less than happy with some of the details (especially the flaps) I was able to provide then because of the severe shortage of parts I ran into on it.  This year, I still ran short of parts (grrr!), but made some different options for where and how to conserve them.  (I guess this gives you the option of flying whichever version you prefer!).  I like the looks of this one better, but it flies very much the same, you'll discover.  The filename is different, so you can fly them both for comparison!  Put the .AIR file in your PILOTS subdirectory, the rest in your TEXTURE subdirectory, and have Flight Shop installed.

March, 1997
Dennis Wasnich
1003 Cherry Street
Montpelier, OH 43543 USA
Internet: dwasnich@bright.net
(Feedback is welcome!)

NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, all of my planes may be freely distributed as long as you don't profit from them and I continue to receive credit for my work.  Thanks for your cooperation!
************************************************************************

Air Kenya livery, moving gear and flaps by Cedric J. Schoeni
fly.to@span.ch
August 1999

At a maximum take-off weight of 44,000 lbs, the Dash 7 is the largest aircraft in the Airkenya fleet. It was built in the 1980's by Boeing Canada, a De Havilland division, and introduced to our fleet in June 1997.
It is powered by four 1120 shaft horsepower Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines, is pressurised and has a maximum capacity of 50 passengers or 10,700 lbs of cargo.
It can fly to a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet above sea level and has a range of nearly 1,200 miles.
Its most impressive feature is the STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capability which allows it to be operated into short and rough airstrips common to Africa. 
The low noise level in the cabin and the quietness of the engines has earned the Dash 7 the title "The quietest airliner in the world."
The Dash 7's are mostly seen on our Nairobi-Mara services but also fly to and from Nairobi, Lamu and Mombasa. 



