Photo Report – Flying on Croatia Airlines’ new Dash 8 Q400

Posted in Commercial Aircraft

By Boran Pivčić
All photos author

Okay, another departure from the GA norm, but I couldn’t resist but post this here :). In a twist of good aviation fortune, my direct flight from Paris to Zagreb on Croatia Airlines (after the Paris Air Show) had been canceled and I was re-booked on Paris-Split-Zagreb, changing aircraft at Split. What at first was mild annoyance turned into excitement when I opened the flight schedule Croatia Airlines had sent me – 1. it would be my first ever flight connection, and 2. I’d finally get my chance to fly aboard one of the company’s new Bombardier Dash 8 Q400s :).

Normally, still under photographic impressions from Paris, I was determined to make the best of it and already planned all the cabin shots I would upload to Airliners.net (good motivation 🙂 ). However, despite a friend of mine from Lučko being the F/O on this flight, I did not want to ask for cockpit access on such a short 30 minute flight – knowing full well from my own (limited) piloting and air traffic control experience that on this sector I’d just be in the way in the tight cockpit of the Dash 8.

Just to mention, the Q400 is the newest type in Croatia Airlines’ fleet, having replaced our aging ATR-42-300s. Four aircraft have been ordered with three delivered at the time of writing, making the Q400 the first new non-European type to be operated by the company (CA – or rather CTN per IATA – also operates a mix of A319s and A320, with Boeing 737-200Advs and leased BAe 146s having been operated in the past).

Anyways, after a two hour delay at Split – a slight birdstrike on the aircraft’s previous leg from Vienna necessitating some mx – I was aboard my first ever Dash 8 (flight OU6657) and ready for the off :).

Here she is on the tarmac at Split (who'd have thought that after yawning at two A380 as Paris I'd be exicted by a lowly Dash 8 :) ). That damned overcast that that had stretched across much of Europe didn't spare the coast either
Here she is on the tarmac at Split (who'd have thought that after yawning at two A380 as Paris I'd be exicted by a lowly Dash 8 🙂 ). That damned overcast that had stretched across much of Europe at the end of June didn't spare the coast either
Christened "Istra" after the Istrian peninsula (and an ATR-42 of the same name), 9A-CQC was at the this time the newest Q400 in the inventory (the previous two being 9A-CQA and -CQB)
Christened "Istra" after the Istrian peninsula (and an ATR-42 of the same name), 9A-CQC was at this time the newest Q400 in the inventory (the previous two being 9A-CQA and -CQB)
Spooling up the 5,070 HP Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A on takeoff down Split's RWY 05
Spooling up the 5,070 HP Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A on takeoff down Split's RWY 05
The city itself visible from a right turn. Due to the surrounding terrain, the Standard Instrument Departure for RWY 05 requires a 270 degree right turn if heading north (where we were going)
The city itself visible from a right turn. Due to the surrounding terrain, the Standard Instrument Departure for RWY 05 requires a 270 degree right turn if heading north (where we were going)
The Trogir area south of Split as we rocket to our 23,000 ft cruise altitude
The Trogir area south of Split as we rocket to our 23,000 ft cruise altitude
Back with my head in the clouds :)
Back with my head in the clouds 🙂
Breaking through the deck into clear skies above is always a magic feeling :)
Breaking through the deck into clear skies above is always a magic feeling 🙂
Still climbing, I decided to take the opportunity to first snap the view from 19A. A very nice ambient - while it's still clean :)
Still climbing, I decided to take the opportunity to snap the view from seat 9A. A very nice ambient - while it's still clean...
An ant's view (if the were allowed to travel :) ) of the front cabin
An ant's view (if they were allowed to travel 🙂 ) of the front cabin
Blasting along at 650 km/h, you don't get many chances to photograph the cabin between takeoff, drinks service and landing
Blasting along at 650 km/h, you don't get many opportunities to photograph the cabin between takeoff, drinks service and landing
Many thanks to the cabin crew for allowing me a final snap of the cabin once all those walking distractions have left!
Many thanks to the cabin crew for allowing me a final snap of the cabin once all those walking distractions have left!

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