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ATR 42 & Dash 8 Takeoff Accelerations

- question from Koszela Marcin

I'm afraid that the kind of information you've requested is not provided in typical aircraft reference books like we have. Such data might be given in the manuals produced by the manufacturers and provided to the operators. My suggestion would be to contact the airlines you intend to fly on and see if they can provide this kind of information to you.

The only data you've requested that I've found in any significant amount is the "distance on the ground before takeoff," or what is more commonly referred to as the takeoff field length. It varies depending on the model of the aircraft you are looking at, how fully loaded it is, the altitude you are taking off from, and the weather conditions (especially temperature). Some typical numbers are listed below (all at maximum takeoff weight).

Aircraft	Takeoff Weight	Takeoff Distance (sea level)	Takeoff Distance (altitude of 3,000 ft or 915 m, hot day)
ATR 42-300	36,740 lb 16,700 kg	3,570 ft 1,090 m	3,410 ft 1,040 m
ATR 42-320	36,740 lb 16,700 kg	3,950 ft 1,205 m	4,050 ft 1,235 m
ATR 42-400	36,460 lb 17,900 kg	3,950 ft 1,205 m	4,820 ft 1,470 m
ATR 42-500	41,005 lb 18,600 kg	3,820 ft 1,165 m	4,605 ft 1,405 m
Dash 8-100A	34,500 lb 15,650 kg	3,100 ft 945 m	-
Dash 8-100B/200A/200B	36,300 lb 16,465 kg	3,260 ft 995 m	-
Dash 8-300A/300E	41,105 lb 18,645 kg	3,605 ft 1,100 m	-
Dash 8-300B	43,000 lb 19,505 kg	3,865 ft 1,180 m	-
Dash 8-400A	61,730 lb 28,000 kg	4,050 ft 1,235 m	-

So let's compare models at approximately the same weight and takeoff conditions:

Aircraft	Takeoff Weight	Takeoff Distance (sea level)
ATR 42-300	36,740 lb 16,700 kg	3,570 ft 1,090 m
Dash 8-100B	36,300 lb 16,465 kg	3,260 ft 995 m
ATR 42-400	36,460 lb 17,900 kg	3,950 ft 1,205 m
Dash 8-200A	36,300 lb 16,465 kg	3,260 ft 995 m
ATR 42-500	41,005 lb 18,600 kg	3,820 ft 1,165 m
Dash 8-300A	41,105 lb 18,645 kg	3,605 ft 1,100 m

From this comparison, we see that the ATR 42 requires a greater takeoff distance under the same conditions. It therefore seems likely that the ATR 42 has a slower acceleration, but we would need more information on the velocity profile and takeoff time to determine exactly what that acceleration is.

Some other tidbits of information I've managed to track down include:

Dash 8 takeoff speed: The Dash 8-300B at its maximum takeoff weight of 43,000 lb (19,505 kg) is listed as having a takeoff speed of about 160 mph (260 km/h), or 140 kts.

ATR 42 cabin noise: The noise level inside the cabin of all ATR 42 models is listed as "under 80 dBA." I would suspect that the Dash 8 is about the same.

As for your final question about protecting your ears, you really need to ask a doctor about that. I have no idea what kind of damage your ear has suffered. Either the acceleration or the change in air pressure as the aircraft changes altitude might be problems for you.

Sorry we couldn't be of more help. Good luck to you on your flight.
- answer by Jeff Scott, 21 July 2002

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