I downloaded the Dash-7 passenger version from Project Dash-7, and I must say that despite the panel needs some rework, the plane and the FDE is one of the best I have (besides, the visual model is pretty good, one wouldn't expect this when looking at the screenshots on the project site). A pleasure to hand fly!Probably one of the most under-rated freeware add-ons around given the fact that no generic FS9 version exists.Anyone knows if there are others or whether the development team has future plans for the project?Andreas

When this addon came out it was well received and I suspect everyone would stll rate it highly. It was my favourite freeware aircraft for a long time. I think it's just that so many other great frewware planes have been released since, that means it now rarely gets a mention. If I remember rightly, the creators of the Dash 7 are now working on a virtual cockpit and an update to the visual model. If this is released I'm sure there will be many downloads.

it was indeed well received and is one of the very few freeware aircraft good enough in all respects that is has a permanent place on my harddisk.It's just that it's an older design and most people have either moved on or don't need to talk about anymore (are you still talking about the good and bad points of MadDog 2000?).

Andreas, (et al) :-)The Dash 7 was released September 2002 as one of the early gmax designs, our first project and was well received. From just 3 major sites, almost 250,000 downloads of all the variants and more than 50 repaints done. It became a favorite for many VA's. The Dash 7 was a spotlighted aircraft in Computer Pilot (IIRC) in April 2003 I believe.The team went on to produce the Aero Commander series and the Howard 500. The Shrike was also released by Paul Saunders and the team.The Howard 500 was quietly released last summer and has been a well-received product.The Dash 7 textures were beautifully crafted by Jo

Mr. Shupe and the Dash 7 team: Your group has given so much to the FlightSim community already. The Dash 7 is still on my hardrive since it's debut, and will stay there. It would be wonderful to see your magnificent recreation of this unique aircraft updated for FS9. The artistry, documentation, and execution of the whole package is a FlightSim classic. I hope you and your team can find the time and desire to carry on. I believe it is the finest example of freeware out there, bar none.

Dash 7 is still a favourite here ;)i love the panel,and the fact it doesn't have a VC :)awesome plane,handles great,and the autopilot isn't needed,just as with the Aerocommanders,it does however have 4 massive engines,which i really like ;)Cheers Milton & team ;)JP.

Milton,I have spent many enjoyable hours with the Dash 7, and still go back to it often, even though I own numerous payware aircraft. An upgrade would be wonderful, but even if that is never done, thanks for all the hard work and your contribution to the flight sim community.Dale

I have the Dash-7 cargo version that someone put out (I forget who). I love taking it for my short-haul trips.

Andreas,I agree with all of the plaudits offered to you and your team. I too have enjoyed it and still have it, even though as suggested, it'd be nice to get an update. I'd love a VC. Air Greenland uses this plane extensively because of it's STOL capabilities. It has been fun for me to fly around Greenland experiencing those few airports they have there.I have had a question about the dash seven for quite some time. The one I use never gets much over 205-210 IAS. Is that a true characteristic of this plane or do think I have a faulty or corrupted model? :-roll

Milton,I'm sorry. I believe my note should have been addressed to you instead of Andreas. :-roll

Milton:Nice to see you jumping in here. Welcome and Happy New Year.The Dash 7 is as gorgeous as ever. The Howard is simply breathtaking! Thanks again for your wonderful work and endless dedication. Hope to see more of your wonderful creations at some point.Cheers!JS

Hi Bill,Speeds depend on weight, altitude and temperature. One must also consider the economies.Some cruise examples straight out of the Dash 7 flight manual here looking at nautical air miles per lb of fuel:Cruise - 12,000' Economy CruiseWeight - 41,000 lbsTemp - -20 deg CTrue Air Speed - 193 KtsIndicated Air Speed - 163~ KtsCruise - 16,000' Max cruise ratingWeight - 42,000 lbsTemp - -20 deg CTrue Air Speed - 231 KtsIndicated Air Speed - 191~ KtsAt higher weights, altitudes or warmer temperatures, the IAspeeds are slower.When I developed the Dash 7 FD's for FS2002 and FS9 updates, I did not have this manual so the speeds were based on a Dash 7 real world pilots experiences flying the Alps where cruise was around 155-160 Kts indicated. He stated that he had never had the Dash 7 over 160 Kts in cruise. Unfortunately, I did not tie his comments to power settings at the time. So, we are a bit slow here.The new FD's correct the cruise speeds to agree with the charts. :-)

Thank you Jwcfly, Jan, Dale and Bill, :-)One thing about the VC version is the challenge for decent refresh rates today. Though the VC cockpit is looking great right now, we chose to limit it to cockpit only due to the number of gauges in this aircraft. By keeping the poly count down and the vcockpit sections to two, we hope to have a very flyable and functional VC.I would also say that many have commented about Aaron Swindle's sounds for the Dash 7. These have stood the test of time and we are most appreciative. The original sound set was Aaron's C130 sounds but with some minor mods, we were able to fit them into the Dash 7 for some great immersion.Air Greenland (formerly Greenland Air, aka Gronlandsfly) has an amazing maintenance operation and they keep their Dash 7's in tip top shape. We were very fortunate to get many reference photos of their aircraft for this project back in 2002. Thanks to them and Henrik Petersen. :-)

MiltomI'm waiting with baited breath for a VC version, as I'm sure many others are too. Look forward to when it's released. Great to hear that it's going to happen.

Thank you Jan :-)Of course, there will be a NO-VC version available as well which incorporate all the other changes. ;-)