de Havilland DHC-8-200

The regional turboprop built for short-field performance and efficiency.

Overview

de Havilland United Kingdom ICAO: DH8B 1983–Present Active $12 million (2000)

The de Havilland DHC-8-200 is an early variant of the Dash 8 family, designed for regional operations. Entering service in the 1980s, it offered improved performance over the original Dash 8-100. The aircraft became a common sight on short-haul routes.

Live Fleet Activity (DH8B)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123
Engine type
Turboprop
Power
2 × 2,150 shp · 1,603 kW
Avionics
Honeywell SPZ-8000 dual-channel digital AFCS, Primus P660 weather radar, Collins nav/comm systems
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
40
Crew
—
Cabin width
8 ft 2 in  ·  2.50 m
Cabin height
6 ft 5 in  ·  1.95 m
Cabin length
30 ft 1 in  ·  9.16 m
Exterior length
73 ft 0 in  ·  22.25 m
Tail height
24 ft 7 in  ·  7.50 m
Fuselage diameter
8 ft 10 in  ·  2.69 m
Wing span
85 ft 0 in  ·  25.90 m
Baggage volume
300 ft³  ·  8.5 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
36,300 lb  ·  16,500 kg
Max landing weight
34,500 lb  ·  15,600 kg
Max payload
10,200 lb  ·  4,650 kg
Fuel capacity
840 gal · 3,200 L · 2,500 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
290 kt  ·  334 mph  ·  537 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
1,125 nm  ·  1,290 mi  ·  2,080 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
25,000 ft  ·  7,600 m
Rate of climb
1,475 ft/min  ·  7 m/s
Takeoff distance
3,300 ft  ·  1,000 m
Landing distance
2,550 ft  ·  780 m
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USAir Express – DHC-8-202 Dash 8 taking off

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Operational Context

de Havilland DHC-8-200 — regional twin-turboprop airliner

The DHC-8-200 first flew in the mid-1980s and entered service in 1986. It was developed as a higher-powered derivative of the Dash 8-100, offering improved climb performance and hot-and-high capability. The aircraft features a high-wing configuration optimized for regional airports.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123 turboprop engines producing approximately 2,150 shaft horsepower each, the DHC-8-200 cruises at around 280 knots (519 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 35,000 pounds (15,876 kg). Seating typically ranges from 37 to 39 passengers.

The Dash 8-200 became widely used in regional networks and remote operations. Its short-field capability allowed access to smaller airports. Many examples remain in service with regional carriers worldwide.

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