Aircraft Handling Guide

Version 11

Bombardier Dash 8-Q400

Agent name: ____________

This guide supersedes all previous versions, guides or memos

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 1

CONTENTS
Item Page
Aim 3
Aircraft Specifics 3
Passenger Cabin Layout 4
Seating & Emergency Exits Exit Seats 5
Seating of PRMs 5
LMC Passengers 5
Cabin Baggage 5-6
Load Planning 6
Flight Envelope 6
Loading Guide 7
Hold Baggage 7
Ballast 8
Holds & Netting Overview 8
Rear Holds 6&7 8-9
Rear Hold Prop Strut 9
Rear Hold Netting 9
Forward Hold 5 10
GPU Ground Power Unit 11
Chocking of Aircraft 11
Nose Gear 12
Fuelling Point 12
Equipment & Safe Zones 13
Door Closing 13 - 14
Steps 14
Anti-Collision Warning Beacon 15
PRM Acceptance 16
(Passenger with Reduced Mobility) Seating 16
Loading of Electric Mobility Aids 16
Safety Reporting & Culture 17
Contact us 18
Your Notes Pages jot your notes, thoughts and reminders 19 - 20

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 2

Bombardier Q400 - QUICK GUIDE

Aim
The aim of this brief is to familiarise all handling agents with Flybes Q400 aircraft in order to carry
out passenger handling, dispatch or ramp duties.

AIRCRAFT SPECIFICS

The Q400 is a high winged, T tailed monoplane with two wing mounted turboprop engines.

Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney PW150A turboprops producing 5071 shaft

horsepower each, driving a Dowty 6 bladed composite propeller
Fuel Burn: 600kg per engine per hour
Range: 1296nm with passenger load of 70
Cruise: 350kts TAS (402 mph) Service ceiling 25,000
Climb performance: Take-off 20,000 10 minutes
DOM: 17.5 tonnes (approx)
MZFM: 25,855 kg
MTOM: 28,998 kg
MLDM: 28,009 kg
Max fuel capacity: 5318 kg

Seating: Capacity is 78 passengers

Standard Crew configuration 2/2
These aircraft do NOT have a row 13

Toilets: A toilet is located at the front of the cabin

Door Operation
Wind Limits: Do not operate external doors if wind speeds or wind gust speeds are
greater than 65 kts

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PASSENGER CABIN LAYOUT
NOTE: Seat rows are numbered 1 -21, however, this aircraft type has no row 13 so there are actually
20 seat rows available.

Preferred

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SEATING & EMERGENCY EXITS
Passengers should be distributed across the 4 bays, with a preference toward the rear.

1A/1B AND 2C/2D are emergency exit row seats. 2C or 2D MUST be allocated for every flight.
Emergency exit row seats must have at least one passenger seated in each pair of seats.

1A & 1B below 2C & 2D below

As these are Emergency Exit rows the seats cannot be used by PRMs, passengers with infants or a
large passenger needing an extension seatbelt.

Seating of PRMs
When allocating seats, passengers with limited mobility should be seated towards the front of the
cabin, near to the only toilet, but not in the seats listed above. Where PRM passengers allocate their
own seats, every reasonable effort should be made to accommodate the PRM in the seats they have
selected.

LMC Passengers
Bay C has no trim effect so should be used for all LMC passengers wherever possible. LMCs placed
into bay C have no limits other than the maximum for the bay (i.e. if bay C is empty, 20 passengers
without hold bags can be accepted). All other LMCs (passengers not in bay C, fuel, ballast, bags,
freight etc) have a maximum limit of +/-300kg before a new loadsheet must be produced.

CABIN BAGGAGE
Passengers carry-on baggage must fit into approved bag sizers. When gate staff do not check
passenger bags they will be creating an evacuation / trip hazard during boarding for passengers and
crew alike. Large bags must not be taken by the cabin crew as the passengers board, as they build up
in the doorways.

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 5

Due to crew procedures and required passenger checks, the bags
cannot be passed out to the loaders whilst passengers are boarding.

All large bags MUST be tagged at the gate, given to the loaders and
placed into the hold.

These should be tagged with a Flybe Limited Release tag as shown

below.

LOAD PLANNING
Essentially, it is the Load Controllers responsibility to ensure a safe trim/load plan is obtained.
Because of the variety of routes this aircraft will operate, these guidelines may be deviated from
should the load controller see fit. Optimal trim for most efficient flight is between MAC 27 and 29%
(at all weights).

FLIGHT ENVELOPE
Note that the Q400 has THREE forward trim limits when the aircraft is below its MZFM. Above this
weight the full envelope is available.

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LOADING GUIDE
The guide below gives you an indication of how passengers / baggage should be distributed. This
however, is not exhaustive and particular care should be taken depending on the flight/route and
baggage weight.

Caution is needed when the bag figure or average bag weight is low as the aircraft will become very
nose heavy. In these circumstances ballast may be required or passengers may have to be moved.

** DO NOT MOVE ANY PASSENGERS WHO HAVE PRE ASSIGNED THEIR SEATS **

HOLD BAGGAGE

Even with passengers spread throughout the cabin the Q400 can become nose heavy, so Hold 7
should always be filled first. Handlers must take note that Hold 7 has a floor loading limit of 454 kg.

Flybe uses standard weights of 13kg per bag for international flights and 12kg per bag for domestic
flights but actuals may be used if annotated on the loadsheet. When standard bag weights are used
for calculating the loadsheet, plan for 34 bags in H7 with the remainder (up to capacity) in H6.

H5 should be used as an overflow.

It should also be noted that Holds 6 and 7 also have a combined maximum load of 1225 kg.

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BALLAST
If ballast is used it must be clearly marked on the LIR and loadsheet and the crew must be made
aware of its location. The crew is required to add the ballast into the aircrafts technical log to ensure
it is annotated as on board and does not get forgotten by any subsequent crews.

Do not remove any previously loaded ballast from a hold without consulting the crew; it may be
required for the flight.

During training flights, extra crew are located on the jump seat and the a/c has no weight in the tail, it
is recommended that (where available) ballast is used for these flights, and a standard weight of
200kg is positioned in Hold 7 to enable an in trim loadsheet.

HOLDS & NETTING

There are 3 Holds all of which are above cabin floor level i.e. there is no underfloor loading. While not
directly heated, all of the holds are located inside the pressure hull of the cabin and will therefore
remain at a similar temperature as set for the passenger compartment.

Animals should be loaded in either of the rear holds and not the forward hold.

Rear Holds (6 & 7)

Behind the rear passenger door, is the main baggage hold, accessed through a large cargo door. As
the door is opened you will see Hold 6 in front of you and Hold 7 to the right, where the floor level
steps up.

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 8

The door is supported by a door overextension prop. Ensure that this is fully extended and locked
before placing in to the insert, to the left of the door frame.
.
Red Clasp: Slightly pull the lower part of the
strut down and then press the top of the red
clasp to extend or collapse the pole.

.
Twist: twist the central point to release the
prop and allow for the pole to extend and
detract.

Pull Clasp: Pull the circular lever out to

release the prop and allow for the pole to
extend of detract.

If the door is particularly heavy, which may suggest a fault, please ensure that this is reported to the
crew so that the appropriate entries can be added to the aircraft tech log.

Rear Hold Netting

The Q400 rear holds have cargo restraint netting separating hold 6 (in the doorway) and hold 7 (to
the right of the door). These nets must be secured whenever there is any load placed in either hold.
They can only be left unsecured when no load is present.

The door nets MUST be secured for EVERY FLIGHT, regardless of load.

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 9

Forward Hold (5)
Hold 5 is located at the front of the aircraft on the right hand side and is accessible from an outside
door and also from inside the cabin. The external door is between the co-pilots window and the
passenger emergency exit (the hold door does not have a window). The inside cabin door remains
locked during flight.

Hold 5 is of limited size but has a

large effect on the trim, due to being
located so far forward.

Crews usually use H5 for their crew

bags, and loaders, unloading bags
from Hold 5, have accidentally
removed the crew bags as well as any
payload bags.

Any bags found in the hold, check

with the crew.

For this reason it is normally recommended that Hold 5 is only used for trim purposes or as an
overflow after the other holds are full.

H5 must always be checked for bags before the LIR can be signed on every turnaround with the
assistance of the cabin crew.

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 10

GPU GROUND POWER UNIT
A GPU hookup is located at the front of the fuselage and accepts 28V DC.

The aircraft is very sensitive and will not accept power fluctuations from the GPU or FEGP.
CAUTION:
Whenever a GPU is connected to an aircraft the draw bar must be removed from the tug.

CHOCKING OF AIRCRAFT
Use either one double-width chock or two single width chocks. Do not place only one single-width
chock between double nose wheels. If using double width chocks always ensure that the chock will
not become trapped under the towbar when the aircraft settles as passengers board the aircraft.

Chocks should be positioned so that they just touch the wheel of the aircraft. Gaps must not be left
as this can create a rocking effect which will cause the aircraft to nudge chocks out of position thus
allowing the aircraft to move. Similarly both nosewheels or mainwheels on the same oleo most be
chocked.

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 11

NOSE GEAR
A nose gear lock is fitted to the aircraft (black and
yellow chevron panel); located above the GPU and
headset hookup. This is used when towing the
aircraft, see GSB07-10 or Section 8.4.9 of Flybes
Ground Handling Manual, Part 1, (Ramp) for details
of this procedure.

The nose gear doors will close when hydraulic

pressure is generated. This will occur when the
number 2 engine is started. Staff should take care in
this area and not approach if aircraft engines during
start up.

The area will only be safe to approach once engines

are running and the door has closed. The tow bar can
then be disconnected if necessary.

FUELLING POINT
The aircraft pressurised refuelling point is located at
the rear of the right hand engine cowling.

There are also unpressurised, over-wing refuelling

points on the top surfaces of the wings.

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 12

EQUIPMENT & SAFE ZONES

are the fuel vent safety

zones, these must remain clear of
equipment and people while
refuelling is taking place.

To allow for evacuation, all door

areas and passenger walkways should
remain clear during turn arounds.

DOOR CLOSING
Warnings can be triggered if the doors are not properly closed. After closing the doors or when
completing the walk around, check the door handles are fully closed and secure.

Rear cabin doors and forward hold (Hold 5) door handle, check the centre hub of the handle is flush
with the fuselage.

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Rear hold (Hold 6/7) door handle, check the push to release button is flush with the handle.

STEPS
The aircraft is fitted with one set of steps built into the forward passenger door and one set of
manually operated airstairs at the rear passenger door opening. The operation of the front passenger
door steps should be completed by 1 member of staff only.

Do not operate unless training has been received

Ensure PRMs are only boarded and disembarked through a passenger door and NOT the service door.

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 14

ANTI-COLLISION WARNING BEACONS
A red anti-collision light is positioned on the top of the fuselage, forward of the wings.

WARNING the beacon cannot be seen if standing behind the aircraft

The following diagram indicates the range of visibility, of the beacon.

Beacon is VISIBLE Beacon is VISIBLE

Beacon is NOT VISIBLE Beacon is NOT VISIBLE

Beacon is NOT VISIBLE

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PRM SPECIFICS
Acceptance
49% of the aircraft capacity, ensuring 1 abled bodied passenger to every PRM travelling (not including
crew). Further policies in relation to PRMs can be found at www.flybe.com under the FAQs section.

Seating
When allocating seats, passengers with limited mobility should be seated towards the front of the
cabin, near to the only toilet, but not in emergency exits. Where PRM passengers allocate their own
seats, every reasonable effort should be made to accommodate the PRM in the seats they have
selected. Please see page 4 of this handling guide for cabin layout and preferred seating.

Carriage & loading of Electric Mobility Aids

Guaranteed loading of EMAs: 2
Maximum wheelchair dimensions: 37inches wide x 35inches high
(W70cm x H90cm)

Electric mobility devices may require the use of spreaders. The Flybe spreader
calculator will show if they are necessary and can be found in the Flybe Ground
Handling Manuals at http://ghm.flybeas.com/manuals/

Wherever possible, PRM devices should be loaded into Hold 6 and tied down to the net mounting
rings. All devices will be loaded into the hold doorways and will be netted off from all baggage
Mobility aids will need to be stored if they exceed these limitations.

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SAFETY REPORTING & CULTURE
Flybe promote and welcome a Just Culture, and encourage open reporting and self-reporting by
airline staff and our contracted partners and agencies.

How to report
It is easy to report a safety event, simply go to either www.flybe.com/rampmanual or follow the
direct link https://www.flybe.com/incidentReport/login.do

What to report
Anything which you feel has a safety risk, safety impact on the operation or has the potential to
impact the safe operation over time.

Examples of what to report may include:

Aircraft damage and unintended contact

Vehicles or equipment obstructing the aircraft whilst moving
Significant spillage during fuelling operations
Connecting or removing ground equipment when it unsafe to do so
Unsatisfactory de-icing
Unsatisfactory loading of holds including netting, clips, lashing, misloaded baggage or cargo,
ballast
People endangered by aircraft or relating to aircraft including approaching aircraft whilst
warning beacons are on, lack of passenger guidance around engine area
Signed incorrect documentation including Loadsheet, LIR
Injury

Flybe would also welcome and encourage near miss reporting. This is where an event may occur but
is rectified by staff before the flight departs. The report will detail what happened and who/what
actions prevented it from going ahead ultimately preventing a safety event taking place.

These reports may also include events where simply luck prevented a safety event or potential safety
event.

How do Flybe recognise this?

Since 2008 Flybe has recognised staff who prevent a safety event taking place, through the form of
our Safety Award. Nominations can be made either by staff and management, or recognised through
the self-reporting of near miss events as explained above.

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 17

CONTACT US
Hopefully this guide has answered the majority of questions in relation to how to handle the Flybe
Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

If you have any further questions, or suggestions for this handling guide, please contact us using the
following addresses.

Email: GroundSafety@flybe.com

Post: Flybe Ground Safety Team

Airport Delivery Department
New Walker Hangar
Exeter International Airport
Exeter
Devon
EX5 2BG

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 18

 Your Notes

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 Your Notes

Flybe Q400 Handling Guide VERSION 11 March 2014 Page 20