Dehavilland Canada Dhc8-100

Twin Turboprop· 22 globally registered

The de Havilland Canada DHC-8-100, universally known as the Dash 8, launched the most successful regional turboprop family of the modern era when it entered service in 1984. Designed as a direct successor to the legendary Twin Otter for the 30-40 seat commuter market, the Dash 8 introduced advanced noise and vibration suppression systems that made it the quietest turboprop airliner of its generation, a critical advantage for operations into noise-sensitive urban airports. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 engines driving slow-turning propellers, the Series 100 could cruise at 310 knots while burning roughly half the fuel of competing regional jets on short sectors. Its rugged landing gear and excellent short-field performance made it ideal for challenging northern routes and unpaved strips across Canada's Arctic, where it became the workhorse of remote community service. The type's reliability in harsh conditions and low operating costs kept many Series 100s flying long after newer stretched variants (the -200, -300, and Q400) entered production. Though Bombardier acquired the program in 1992 and later sold it back to Viking Air (which revived the de Havilland Canada brand in 2019), the original Dash 8-100 remains in widespread service with regional carriers, cargo operators, and charter companies specializing in remote operations. SkyMeter has tracked 1,323 flights across 74 airframes and 22 operators, with Air Creebec Inc. the largest observed operator.