2 Propeller Engines

Aircraft with two prop-driven engines on the wings are commonly known as commuter planes or turboprops. There are many of them in private aviation, but in commercial airline service the most common ones are the Dash-8, ATR-72, Embraer Brasilia, and the Saab 340. Place your mouse over the red links below to see the illustrations highlighted with the differences.

Background

  • The DHC-8, or Dash-8 as it is commonly known, was developed by DeHavilland Canada in the early 1980s. The version currently in production has the model designation “Q400” which stands for “Quiet” as they have incorporated a new noise and vibration control system. Production began in 1986. You will find the most Dash-8s in Canada, with 39 flying for Air Canada Express, 47 flying with Westjet Encore, and 29 with Porter Airlines.  There are no airlines in the U.S. that currently fly the Dash-8; Horizon Air retired their fleet in 2023.

  • Embraer produced its 30-seat regional airliner called the EMB-120 Brasilia from 1985 to 2001, 354 in all.  Early on a large number of them were operated in the U.S. with SkyWest as the largest operator.  The largest operator currently is the Brazilian Air Force with 20; in the U.S. there are 24 of them operated by 4 small charter/freight airlines.

  • The ATR is a French built turboprop with two versions: the ATR-42 (42 passenger) and the ATR-72 (72 passenger).  Production began in 1985 and over 1,200 have been built by 2023.  There are over 900 in service worldwide; the largest operators are Wings Air (Indonesia), Indigo (India), Azul (Brazil), and Air New Zealand.  They are not used for passenger service in the United States anymore but 29 of them are in use by FedEx to carry freight from hub cities to small towns.  FedEx also has orders for a new variant of the ATR-72.

  • The Saab 340 is a Swedish built commuter plane that was built from 1983 to 1999.  459 units were built and as of January 2023 more than 250 remain in service.  The largest operator worldwide is REX Regional Express in Australia with 36; in the U.S. there are 14 active in passenger and cargo service with Ameriflight, IBC Airways, Castle Aviation, and Southern Airways Express.

What to Look For

Both the Dash-8 (top right) and ATR (bottom right) have their wings on the top of the fuselage. The major difference is that on the Dash-8, the landing gear retract up into a space under the engine housing.  The ATR’s landing gear retracts up into the bottom of the fuselage.

There have been 4 different versions of the Dash-8 built since its introduction and all differ in length, passenger capacity, and engines.  The latest version shown here, in production since 2000, is the longest and nearly 20 feet longer than an ATR.

Besides the landing gear, an ATR can be distinguished from a Dash-8 by its tailcone, which is longer and pointed.  The ATR comes in two versions with several sub-types each:  the ATR-42 and ATR-72, which is 14 feet longer.  The ATR-72 can carry up to 78 passengers 825 nautical miles while a Dash-8 can carry up to 90 passengers 1,100 nautical miles.

Both the Dash-8 (top) and ATR (bottom) have their wings on the top of the fuselage. The major difference is that on the Dash-8, the landing gear retract up into a space under the engine housing.  The ATR’s landing gear retracts up into the bottom of the fuselage.

There have been 4 different versions of the Dash-8 built since its introduction and all differ in length, passenger capacity, and engines.  The latest version shown here, in production since 2000, is the longest and nearly 20 feet longer than an ATR.

Besides the landing gear, an ATR can be distinguished from a Dash-8 by its tailcone, which is longer and pointed.  The ATR comes in two versions with several sub-types each:  the ATR-42 and ATR-72, which is 14 feet longer.  The ATR-72 can carry up to 78 passengers 825 nautical miles while a Dash-8 can carry up to 90 passengers 1,100 nautical miles.

Both the Dash-8 (top) and ATR (bottom) have their wings on the top of the fuselage. The major difference is that on the Dash-8, the landing gear retract up into a space under the engine housing.  The ATR’s landing gear retracts up into the bottom of the fuselage.

There have been 4 different versions of the Dash-8 built since its introduction and all differ in length, passenger capacity, and engines.  The latest version shown here, in production since 2000, is the longest and nearly 20 feet longer than an ATR.

Besides the landing gear, an ATR can be distinguished from a Dash-8 by its tailcone , which is longer and pointed.  The ATR comes in two versions with several sub-types each:  the ATR-42 and ATR-72, which is 14 feet longer.  The ATR-72 can carry up to 78 passengers 825 nautical miles while a Dash-8 can carry up to 90 passengers 1,100 nautical miles.

The Brasilia has a more conventional appearance and can be recognized by the low wings and long nose in front of the cockpit, which is typical of most Embraer aircraft.

The Brasilia has a more conventional appearance and can be recognized by the low wings and long nose in front of the cockpit, which is typical of most Embraer aircraft.

The Brasilia has a more conventional appearance and can be recognized by the low wings and long nose in front of the cockpit, which is typical of most Embraer aircraft.

The Saab 340 is another low-wing turboprop similar to the Embraer Brasilia but larger. The main difference is the horizontal stabilizer is at the bottom of the tail, while the Brasilia is at the top – also called a “T” tail.  Compare the illustrations to the right with the Brasilia shown above.

The Saab 340 and Embraer Brasilia are extremely similar in capacity and range.  The Saab can carry 34 passengers up to 935 nautical miles while a Brasilia can carry 30 passengers up to 940 nautical miles.  The Saab 340 has a higher maximum takeoff weight than the Brasilia (29,000lbs vs 25,000lbs) which would be an advantage when carrying cargo.

The Saab 340 is another low-wing turboprop similar to the Embraer Brasilia but larger. The main difference is the horizontal stabilizer is at the bottom of the tail, while the Brasilia is at the top – also called a “T” tail.  Compare the illustrations to the right with the Brasilia shown above.

The Saab 340 and Embraer Brasilia are extremely similar in capacity and range.  The Saab can carry 34 passengers up to 935 nautical miles while a Brasilia can carry 30 passengers up to 940 nautical miles.  The Saab 340 has a higher maximum takeoff weight than the Brasilia (29,000lbs vs 25,000lbs) which would be an advantage when carrying cargo.

The Saab 340 is another low-wing turboprop similar to the Embraer Brasilia but larger. The main difference is the horizontal stabilizer is at the bottom of the tail, while the Brasilia is at the top – also called a “T” tail.  Compare the illustrations to the right with the Brasilia shown above.

The Saab 340 and Embraer Brasilia are extremely similar in capacity and range.  The Saab can carry 34 passengers up to 935 nautical miles while a Brasilia can carry 30 passengers up to 940 nautical miles.  The Saab 340 has a higher maximum takeoff weight than the Brasilia (29,000lbs vs 25,000lbs) which would be an advantage when carrying cargo.

Examples

Turboprop Aircraft