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Air Tractor AT-500 vs DHC-8 Dash 8

Air Tractor AT-500 military training aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 Air Tractor AT-500
De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 military training aircraft side profile drawing
🇨🇦 DHC-8 Dash 8
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Specifications
Air Tractor AT-500 DHC-8 Dash 8
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇨🇦 Canada
Category Military Training Aircraft Military Training Aircraft
Manufacturer Air Tractor De Havilland Canada
First flight 25 April 1986 20 June 1983
Year introduced 1987 1984
Number produced 470 units 1258 units
Average unit price $500K $27 million
Wing area 26.8 m² 54.4 m²
Wingspan 15.9 m 26.0 m
Height 3.0 m 7.5 m
Length 10.2 m 22.0 m
Maximum speed 248 km/h 451 km/h
Operational range 1,300 km 1,600 km
Service ceiling 11,000 m 9,144 m
Max. takeoff weight 4,754 kg 15,649 kg
Empty weight 2,109 kg 14,787 kg
Total thrust 1 x 560 kW 2 x 671 kW
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The Air Tractor AT-500 and the DHC-8 Dash 8 are both Military Training Aircraft, manufactured by Air Tractor and De Havilland Canada respectively.

Top speed is 248 km/h for the Air Tractor AT-500 vs 451 km/h for the DHC-8 Dash 8. The Air Tractor AT-500 has an operational range of 1,300 km vs 1,600 km for the DHC-8 Dash 8. The Air Tractor AT-500 operates at altitudes up to 11,000 m compared to 9,144 m for the DHC-8 Dash 8. At 15,649 kg MTOW, the DHC-8 Dash 8 is 3.3x the Air Tractor AT-500's 4,754 kg.

The Air Tractor AT-500 has been produced in 470 units vs 1,258 for the DHC-8 Dash 8. Unit cost is $0.5M for the Air Tractor AT-500 vs $27M for the DHC-8 Dash 8. The DHC-8 Dash 8 first flew 3 years before the Air Tractor AT-500 (1983 vs 1986).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Air Tractor AT-500 or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 is faster with a maximum speed of 451 km/h compared to the Air Tractor AT-500's 248 km/h, a difference of 203 km/h.
Which has longer range, the Air Tractor AT-500 or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 has a longer range at 1,600 km compared to the Air Tractor AT-500's 1,300 km.
Which can fly higher, the Air Tractor AT-500 or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The Air Tractor AT-500 has a higher service ceiling at 11,000 meters (36,089 ft) compared to the DHC-8 Dash 8's 9,144 meters (30,000 ft).
Which is heavier, the Air Tractor AT-500 or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 15,649 kg compared to the Air Tractor AT-500's 4,754 kg.
Which is larger, the Air Tractor AT-500 or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 is longer at 22.0 meters compared to the Air Tractor AT-500's 10.2 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Air Tractor AT-500 or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 is more expensive at approximately $27 million per unit compared to the Air Tractor AT-500 at $0.5 million.
Which entered service first, the Air Tractor AT-500 or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 entered service first in 1984, 3 years before the Air Tractor AT-500 which entered service in 1987.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Air Tractor AT-500 or DHC-8 Dash 8?
The DHC-8 Dash 8 has been produced in greater numbers with 1,258 units compared to 470 units of the Air Tractor AT-500.