I have watched the videos and read the reviews and like what I see so far. I  have a few questions for those that have this plane. 

 

How is the VAS usage?

 

Does the icing effect on windshield show only on outside or is it shown on the inside as well? Would love to find a video of this.

 

Can the plane be flown simply or does it always require by the book procedures? I am not sure this old dog can learn new tricks with all those flight computers.

 

Is there anything you really like or something that makes you smile each time you see it or use it? To me such a thing is the rain on the windshield of my Turbine Duke or the way the side window on the A2A B-17 lets in just the right amount of sound depending on how much it is opened. Little things that impress you.

 

Thanks, looking forward to maybe getting this plane and especially the pro version when available. 

I'm a big fan of this plane and fly it a heap. It is easy on VAS and frames, flies beautifully and sounds great.

 

The icing effects on the window can be seen from inside the cockpit as well as outside.

 

Re: flying by the numbers, in my experience it is really important when setting yourself up for landing, she is pretty tough to get in the ground nicely if she is coming in too hot.

 

Favourite things... Sound - this plane sounds amazing and I never get stuck of hearing the engines wind up to full power. The other is the airline2sim videos. Buying that course made flying this aircraft so much more enjoyable.

 

So if you do decide to get the Q400, I highly recommend getting the videos. They come on sale from time to time.

 

Cheers,

Billy

Cannot recommend it highly enough. Yes, you must fly it by the numbers. However, everything is straightforward. The AP has big knobs and is simple. You can, if you like, fly it all slant-alpha and ignore the FMS. That said, the FMS, while quirky, is no harder than any to learn.

 

Another advantage is there are far fewer finicky accouterments surrounding the engine and other controls than, say, even a King Air. Power and Condition Levers only. Three prop speed choices. FADECS for the power so no overspeeding the engines or props. Nice big gauges. Easy radios.

 

On top of that, as long as you keep the numbers where they ought to be, it hand-flies like a dream and, contrary to rumors, be greased onto the runway--you just have to use the power smartly. Two thumbs up.

I agree with everything that the previous posters said, including the sound You will get a plane that is of highest quality, like PMDG planes, but you won't have to buy it for a second time if you decided to switch to P3D.

 

The plane is very easy on VAS etc because it is mostly modeled outside of FSX. Its effect on frame rates etc is therefore comparable to a default FSX plane.

 

Cheers,

Peter

Best add on aircraft  I have ever flown and I have flown many of them....

• VAS usage and framerates are similar to default aircraft, as stated by others too. It's pretty phenomenal given the level of detail on offer.

   

• Windscreen icing/misting effect is shown inside and out.

   

• You will generally need to follow procedures/flows otherwise you're likely to encounter icing and cabin pressurisation problems. But you certainly don't need to mess with any of the cockpit computers if you don't want to. The detailed/advanced tutorial hidden away on Majestic's website is an easy way to initiate yourself.

   

• The Q400 is one of my favourite FSX addons because it's brimming with personality and quirks:
  • The sound engine is external to FSX, has full surround capability and I LOVE it; small changes in prop pitch, prop RPM and turbine RPM are all beautifully audible (you should watch a YouTube video of it taxying)

     

  • The flight dynamics are completely external and use NASA's Jsbsim engine. This means ground handling and prop-wash effects are an order of magnitude better than FSX. Be warned though, the Q400 is a handful and will keep you busy with the rudder!

Does it require by the numbers procedures?  No, not really, though you won't be getting the best from it.  You can simplify the procedures fly it like a Turbine Duke on steroids (though like the TDuke, you need to watch the anti-ice and pressurization as Chris said), navigate by VOR, even visually, and it will even slow right down for pattern work.  If you can pick up and fly an ILS in the TDuke, you can do the same in this as long as you plan ahead and extend your circuits out even further and make intelligent use of the autopilot.

 

The best thing about it (aside from being incredibly easy on performance) is definitely the handling.  It has a liveliness that you just don't get in the bigger airliners.  Though be warned that does make it more likely to bite if you are winging it.

 

Oh, and get the Airline2Sim videos, they are awesome.

It is interesting that if I buy a 60 dollar airplane I then need a 30 video course to learn how to fly it. I think the devs should include such courses with their complex aircraft and that might help sell to those like me that love the plane but hate the learning curve.

Hi Warbirds,

 

you don't need the videos, I never looked at them and fly the Dash 8 by the book (amplified checklist). The documentation that comes with the plane is excellent, plus there are Youtube videos that can help as well.

 

IMHO the Dash 8 has a very nice level of complexity. If you are in a hurry you can leave out all tests (smoke detectors, lights etc) and get her up and running within a few minutes. I would say the systems are not as difficult as in a 737-800 or the BAe Jetstream 4100, but there is enough in it to keep you busy. And its dynamics on the ground and in the air is without par.

 

The only negative point that comes to my mind about this fantastic plane is that one cannot import a flight plan into the FMC. So if you want to use the FMC you always have to spend some time programming the route. The FMC is very well designed, though: you don't have to enter each waypoint, it suffices to pick airways. I would guess it takes me about 5 minutes to do that for a typical flight.

 

Peter

It is interesting that if I buy a 60 dollar airplane I then need a 30 video course to learn how to fly it. I think the devs should include such courses with their complex aircraft and that might help sell to those like me that love the plane but hate the learning curve.

You get a lot for your $60 (it's on sale occasionally too so even cheaper), PMDG charge $90+ for the same level of complexity and A2A charge nearly $60 for simpler aircraft (no disrespect to either developer, just pointing out the Q400 represents good value).

 

Majestic's advanced tutorial takes no more than 3 hours and is more than sufficient to familiarise yourself with the aircraft, its systems and normal operations.

 

The Airline2Sim videos are an extra for people who want expand on the basics and operate exactly as reality, they are nice but far from essential. If developers were to produce and include a 30 video course with their products, it would increase the price and delay release.

 

If you can handle the B17 and Turbine Duke, I can't see the Q400 presenting any problems. If you've never used an FMS before then that part will be tough, but as Jamie said you can ignore the FMS entirely and fly between VORs instead.

 

Ultimately though, anyone who wants to keep doing things as you have been and doesn't want to learn anything, should avoid this style of product as it will only frustrate them.

Ultimately though, anyone who wants to keep doing things as you have been and doesn't want to learn anything, should avoid this style of product as it will only frustrate them.

 

This.

 

There is more than enough in the included manuals and in the available YouTube videos to learn quite happily.  The Airline2Sim videos keep coming up because they are an excellent product and much more professional and structured than YT walk throughs (as you would expect for a paid course).

 

If you really don't want to spend any time learning the Dash in depth, much as I love the Dash, there are better ways to spend your money.  Real world training for the Dash (or 737, 777 etc) takes hundreds of hours, both classroom and line training, expecting to get the best out any complex addon without at least some study isn't realistic.

As stated above, there's absolutely no requirement to buy the Airline2Sim course for the Q400. But time is money and all that and a weekend spent sucking up the course gives you an excellent grounding for flying the Q400 exactly the way it's done on the line and you'll learn a bunch of interesting tidbits along the way.

 

I see a lot of streams, videos and screenshots as part of this business and I can spot those who've watched the Q400 course a mile off. The flight deck flows are nailed, the takeoff modes are correct, the minimums and acceleration altitudes are set correctly and the way the whole operation is handled is properly done. Those who've chosen to muddle through an aircraft that takes 3 months and 30 hours of sim sessions to learn in the real world with a quick glance at the manual and a couple of YouTube videos are just as easy to spot....

The expense, the videos, the learning curve - it's all about the consumer choice between `playsim`, `realsim` and `really real sim`.

 

I've never come across a sophisticated addon from a decent developer that didn't have sufficient educational resources shipped with the product or available as a separate download. But there are always simmers (and developers) who want to take it to the next level.

Hi:

 

If you like, (and not to knock Airline2Sim's work in any way, shape, or form) check out FroogleSim's videos on youtube for this lovely plane. They helped me out a LOT when I first started up.

You guys are right, this plane would most likely be way over my head,,,maybe because I am from Iowa. So I will stick to the Duke and the GTN 750 as both are at my level.