Fri, Oct 09, 2009
Company Support For The 25-Year-Old Design
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has
launched its Extended Service Program (ESP) to extend the economic
life of the Dash 8-100 turboprop to 120,000 flight cycles from the
original 80,000 flight cycles. The launch customer for the Dash
8-100 ESP is Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS of Norway.
The Dash 8-100 aircraft entered service in December 1984, and
today - as its 25th anniversary approaches - there are an estimated
240 in service throughout the world. Bombardier estimates the
near-term market for the ESP would be the approximately 100 Dash
8-100 aircraft which have flown 50,000 or more cycles.
“The first Dash 8-100 aircraft in our fleet entered
service in 1993 and have each done about 60,000 cycles so the
Extended Service Program will give the airplanes another 10 or 12
years of useful life,” said Lars Kobberstad, Chief Executive
Officer of Widerøe.
“The Dash 8-100 aircraft is a robust and reliable
turboprop and the extension program will further enhance its
operational value to customers,” said Benjamin Boehm,
Vice-President, Programs, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“The ESP will be accomplished through structural and
engineering analysis, utilizing extensive fatigue and test data
that has been accumulated on the Dash 8 aircraft, and will be
initiated through a Service Bulletin, which will make reference to
a new Maintenance Supplement.”
As launch customer, Widerøe will incorporate the Service
Bulletin and Maintenance Program Supplement and arrange for the
replacement of some structural and systems components as identified
by the Service Bulletin.
While initially aimed at the Dash 8-100 aircraft model, the ESP
could be expanded to apply to the Dash 8-200 and Dash 8-300
aircraft as they approach the 80,000 cycle mark. Mr. Boehm said
that third-party facilities are interested in offering other Dash
8-100 upgrades such as new interiors and the addition of a modern
“glass” cockpit with large LCD displays.
More News
Say Altitude Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude round>[...]
Aero Linx: European Air Law Association (EALA) EALA was established in 1988 with the aim to promote the study of European air law and to provide an open forum for those with an int>[...]
From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Life, Death, Life, Death, and Life of a Glorious Warbird In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair. Mo>[...]
Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World Wa>[...]
Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]