USER MANUAL

Series Q200/Q300
CONTENT

1. About models included in the pack ……………………………………………………………… 3

2. Panel and gauges of Dash 8 series Q200/Q300 version …………………………………….. 7
a. Main panel ……………………………………………………………………………….. 7
b. Warning and caution system and compass ………………………………………….. 17
c. Overhead panel …………………………………………………………………………. 19
d. Throttle panel ……………………………………………………………………………. 21
e. Radio panel ……………………………………………………………………………… 22
f. FMS ………………………………………………………………………………………. 23
3. Procedures ………………………………………………………………………………………… 25
a. Start engines …………………………………………………………………………….. 25
b. Taxiing ……………………………………………………………………………………. 26
c. Take off……………………………………………………………………………………. 26
4. Checklist ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 27
5. Credits and Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………………….... 30

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 About models included in the pack
We are happy and proud that you have purchased our product. Below are some features and
important warnings to consider for proper use of our product:

Reference speeds

DASH 8 Q200

Cruising Max. Flaps up Flaps 0° Flaps 5° Flaps 10° Flaps 15° Flaps 35°
speed indicated stall min.speed min.speed min.speed min.speed min.speed
(Knts) speed speed (Knts) (Knts) (Knts) (Knts) (Knts)
(Knts) (Knts)
V1 / Vr 112 110 108
V2 117 115 112
Vclimb 130
Cruise 270 295
Approach 92 95 90 78 77 74

DASH 8 Q300

Cruising Max. Flaps up Flaps 0° Flaps 5° Flaps 10° Flaps 15° Flaps 35°
speed indicated stall min.speed min.speed min.speed min.speed min.speed
(Knts) speed speed (Knts) (Knts) (Knts) (Knts) (Knts)
(Knts) (Knts)
V1 / Vr 112 110 108
V2 117 115 112
Vclimb 130
Cruise 257 285
Approach 98 102 95 88 85 80

Fuel capacity

835 gallons 5.595 pounds

Pax and weight capacity

Pax Empty weight Max gross weight

Series Q200 40 23.004 pounds 36.300 pounds
Series Q300 53 25.836 pounds 43.000 pounds

Caution before to take off

Like the real dash 8 (Models -100, Q200 and Q300), this aircraft has a locking bar controls
and in our model when you select it to fly it starts with the elevator down and possibly the
ailerons on the right. Before taking off is important you check the flight controls moving to all

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 directions and verify the locking bar controls has been open. If you move it to lock position,
when you unlock move the flight controls too.

Caution to change airplane on flight

When you are with this model or other on flight and you wish change airplane on flight,
remember the above caution, the airplane the plane could appear in sharp decline for having
the elevator down.

Warning for position the power lever on flight

This model (as real aircraft) doesn’t allow “reverse” power on flight. In the throttle panel is
indicated so:

Ground service

This model has ground service activated from panel by two ways: in Overhead panel select
EXTERNAL POWER in electrical area or click on the icon

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 This model has APU, this way doesn’t provide battery charge while is on ground with engines
off is only decorative. You must use to charge battery only with APU not with External power.

IMPORTANT: The first time when you open your FS, it will appear the notification to activate
BATTERY CHARGE program, please accept it for this system works property.

Spoilers available but only automatic

This model has SPOILERS but only available on ground while taxi over 10knts and when
landing and touch ground. You cannot open the spoilers on air because the systems block it. If
you need inhibit this option, just click on two buttons PUSH SHUT OFF hydraulic spoilers over
Autopilot panel.

Paint kit available

You can repaint this model using our paint kit. To get it please click here:

https://www.adrive.com/public/jWNH4b/Paint_kit_100_200.zip

https://www.adrive.com/public/NQdGdv/Paint_kit_300.zip

If the link not works, it’s possible it changed, please request new to soporte@virtualcol.com

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Caution for 2D panel users

If you like to use 2D panel and not Virtual cockpit, is very important you know the default is
virtual cockpit in FSX and PREPAR3D, for this reason ALL commands are charged in this
panel. If you wish to use 2D panel, to avoid errors you need move to other view where it’s
possible see some part of the virtual cockpit to charge on memory commands or open first VC
before to change to 2D cockpit.

IAS option in Autopilot panel

Some users believe IAS option similar as AUTOTHROTTLE, but this isn’t so, this aircraft
hasn’t it. In this aircraft and other props, IAS is used to computer establish automatically
vertical speed to hold IAS selected or other times IAS current. This advice is published to
avoid again more doubts and frequently questions to our support service notice as issue this
condition.

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Panel and gauges of Dash 8 Q200/Q300 version
a. Main panel

2 4 3

1 - Autopilot panel

3 5 6 7 9 11
13

1 2 4 8 10 14
12

1. Propeller ground range indicator

2. Clock
3. Stick pusher SHUT-OFF stall warning
4. RNAV annunciators and A/P disengage annunciator
5. EGPWS inhibit, Light ON alert fail push only on flight over 1000fts on ground.
6. Ground proximity warning system indicator
7. Course knob
8. Heading knob
9. NAV1 Radio freq. Click button OFF to ON.
10. Master warning light
11. Rudder and spoiler hydraulic power shut off valve switch lights. Inhibit spoilers open
automatically.
12. Flight guidance controller (see below)
13. NAV2 Radio freq. Click button OFF to ON.
14. Master caution light.

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Flight guidance controller detail

5 6 7 8 9

1 14

2 15

3 16

10 11 12 13

1. Activate Heading course

2. IAS climb, use only combined with ALTSEL
3. Altitude hold
4. Navigation VOR/LOCATION
5. Navigation course mode VOR or GPS
6. Vertical Speed climb, use only combined with ALTSEL
7. Glide slope, Approach system (only with ILS valid)
8. Back course, with ILS valid
9. Pitch knob, move up to reduce IAS speed or Vertical speed, move down to increase
everyone.
10. Vertical navigation. Use only on AUX (GPS) mode and set altitude in FMS.
11. Altitude selector, activate climb or descent combined with IAS or VS system.
12. Activate mode FMS (GPS) navigation
13. Inhibit Autopilot
14. Autopilot master, arrow left ON, arrow right OFF.
15. Yaw dumper
16. Flight director

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 2- Left pilot’s flight instrument panel
6
5
3

1 9

7 8

1. Airspeed indicator
2. Radio magnetic indicator
3. Electronic Attitude Director Indicator.
4. Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator
5. Altimeter
6. Advisory display (See below)
7. Inertial vertical speed indicator
8. Powered flight control surface indicator
9. Standby attitude indicator

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Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator

EFIS PANEL (See location below in RADIO Panel)

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Advisory display detail

2
3

1. Reset message
2. Left guidance computer master, it activates Autopilot master on mode computer.
3. Right guidance computer master, it activates Autopilot master on mode computer.
4. Display annunciator panel

Alerts detail

Operational messages:

 INVALID OP: Glide slope is activated with ALTSEL active. Cancel ALTSEL and select
again APP.
 CHECK NAV SOURCE: APP or BC mode has selected while NAV source is either
AUX NAV selection.
 CHECK NAV FREQ: Frequency available or FMS route but NAV, APP, BC or HDG
not active.

Disengage/caution/conditional status messages:

 AP DISENGAGED: Autopilot master has disengaged. The message disappears

automatically.
 AP FAIL: AP engaged on ground or combined.

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  YD DISENGAGED: Yaw dumper has disengaged. The message disappears
automatically.
 YD FAIL: Yaw dumper fail.
 FD NAV MISMATCH: Flight director has disengaged. Reset for delete message.
 AHRS DATA INVLD: Invalid data from FMS with AUX flight mode active.
 LDG ATT 6 DEG: Landing attitude has reached certification limit.
 L AFCS MASTER: LAFCS engaged.
 R AFCS MASTER: RAFCS engaged.
 L AFCS DISENG: LAFCS disengaged.
 R AFCS DISENG: RAFCS disengaged.

Lateral arm mode status messages:

With Flight director engaged and Autopilot disengaged:

 GS: glide slope active

 LNAV: active in AUX flight mode
 LOC: Navigation information available
 VOR: Navigation active in V/L flight mode
 BC: Back course active

With Flight director engaged and Autopilot disengaged but information invalid:

 GS*: glide slope active

 LNAV*: active in AUX flight mode
 LOC*: Navigation information available
 VOR*: Navigation active in V/L flight mode
 BC*: Back course active

Previously selected vertical arm mode status messages:

With Flight director engaged and Autopilot disengaged:

 ALT SEL: Altitude selected active

 VS: Vertical speed active
 IAS: Indicated airspeed active

With Flight director engaged and Autopilot disengaged but information invalid:

 ALT SEL*: Altitude selected active with invalid altitude

 VS*: Vertical speed active with 0 Fpm selected
 IAS*: Indicated airspeed active 0 Knts selected

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 Lateral mode status messages:

With Flight director engaged and Autopilot engaged:

 WINGS LEVEL: Wings level command active

 HDG SEL: Heading active
 GS LOC: Glide slope active to approach
 VOR LOC: Navigation automatic active in V/L Flight mode
 LNAV LOC. Navigation automatic active in AUX Flight mode
 BC LOC: Back course approach active

Vertical mode status messages:

With Flight director engaged and Autopilot engaged:

 VS xxx FPS: Vertical speed and FPS selected

 IAS xxx KTS: Indicated airspeed and KTS selected
 ALT: When the system detected 200 fts above or below of the altitude selected to
reach, a sound will be generated and the system change automatically to ALTITUDE
HOLD mode. For this to happen, it is necessary that the climb or descent had been
programmed with ALT SEL and VS or IAS mode.

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 3- Right pilot’s flight instrument panel (First officer)

Some instruments in this panel are the same as the left panel. The following will detail only
those that are not included in this panel.

4 5

1. Flaps position indicator

2. Parking brake Hydraulic pressure indicator
3. Standby hydraulic pressure indicator
4. Main hydraulic pressure indicator
5. Hydraulic fluid quantity indicator

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 4- Engine instrument panel

27

29 28 26 25

1
24

2 23
3 22
4 21

5 20
6
19
7
8

9 10 11 17
18
13
15
16
12
14

1. Altitude selector controller

2. Standby altimeter
3. Engine1 fluel flow indicator
4. Engines intake bypass door control panel
5. Fuel tank temperature
6. Engine 1 oil temperature and pressure indicator
7. Engine 1 low pressure compressor speed indicator (NL)
8. Electronic Control Unit rating selector
9. Engine 1 electronic control unit mode selector
10. Engine 2 electronic control unit mode selector
11. Left tank Fuel quantity indicator
12. Left transfer fuel Valve
13. Left Fuel tank auxiliary fuel pump
14. Engines inter turbine temperature indicator (ITT)
15. Right Fuel tank auxiliary fuel pump

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 16. Right transfer fuel Valve
17. Right tank Fuel quantity indicator
18. Auto feather selector
19. Fuel transfer selector
20. Flaps position indicator
21. Engine 2 oil temperature and pressure indicator
22. Engine 2 low pressure compressor speed indicator (NL)
23. Landing gear control panel
24. Engine 2 fuel flow indicator
25. Engine 2 High pressure compressor indicator (NH)
26. Engine 2 Torque indicator
27. Engines Propeller speed indicator
28. Engine 1 Torque indicator
29. Engine 1 High pressure compressor indicator (NH)

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b. Upper Warning and caution panel and compass

Alerts detail

AC Control primary switch off.

AC Control secondary switch off.

Temperature low and Pitot heat 1 OFF.

Temperature low and Pitot heat 2 OFF.

Parking brake lever ON

Main battery switch OFF

Landing gear damaged

Engine1 and 2 Hydraulic pressure low

Ground proximity alert

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 Engine 1 and 2 fuel pressure low

Fuel tank 1 and 2 low quantity

Flight data recorder switch OFF

Engine 1 and 2, ECU system OFF.

Emergency lights switch isn’t in armed position

Low temperature and DEICE system required.

Engine generator switch 1 and 2 OFF

DC Bus Switch OFF

Stick PUSH-OFF anti-stall alert OFF.

AC Auxiliary switch OFF

Auxiliary battery switch OFF.

APU switch ON

AC left generator switch OFF

AC right generator switch OFF

Cabin pressure in manual position or failure

Main door (PAX) and/or Baggage door is open

Engine 1 oil pressure is low

Engine 2 oil pressure is low

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c. Overhead panel

1 17 16 15 14 13

12

11
3

10
4

5 9

6 7 8

1. DC system monitor panel, move knobs to see values on display

2. DC control panel, main electrical system to control battery and generators
3. ICE PROTECTION control panel
4. Flight data recorder en emergency locator transmitter control panel
5. PRESSURIZATION indicator panel
6. Exterior landing and taxi lights
7. Exterior navigation lights control panel
8. Caution lights, cabin signs and emergency lights control panel
9. Pressurization control panel
10. Engine starting control panel
11. Air conditioning and bleed air control panel
12. AC Control panel
13. AC System monitoring panel
14. APU control panel. (See below)
15. Interior lights control panel
16. INCR REF SPEED switch and reverse beta warning.
17. Monitor of temperature main and secondary battery

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APU Control panel

Click here to start APU

Click here to start APU Generator. APU+APU GEN =

Battery charger.

Click here to shutdown APU

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d. Throttle panel

If you wish to use the throttle in 2D version, here we indicate AREAS to click.

3
4
2

6 5

1. Elevator trim indicator

2. Lever parking brake
3. Flight control lock lever
4. Flaps selector lever
5. Condition fuel levers
6. Power fuel levers

At the virtual cockpit, just click on the bar as shown below to set it as lock and unlock. It’s very
important you understand the animation is attached to TAILHOOK in the FS. For this reason ONLY
with one or both engines started this animation works.

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e. Radio panel

2 5

6
3

7
4

1. EFIS panel
2. Radio COMM1
3. Radio ADF
4. Sounds panel
5. Radio COMM2
6. ATC radio
7. Aileron and rudder trim panel

Important: This time the radios start OFF. Just click HERE to turn ON the radio.

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f. FMS

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HOW INSERT OR DELETE POINTS IN THE FMS

Is very easy:

Just click in the button at right side (-) on the line where you need insert the point. Next you set the fix point using the FMS
keyboard. If the point exists, it will be showed, just select type of point: Airport, Fix, VOR, NDB, etc. The navigation point will
be inserting. If you need DELETE, click the button at right side of the NAV POINT and press DEL button in the FMS keyboard.

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 Procedures
a.- Start engines

Select IGNITION switch of engine 2 to position MANUAL, the button START will show “SELECT”.
For security we suggest start engines in mode MANUAL because automatic may generate loss of
control in the engine if the condition lever overpass the line START & UNFEATHER.

1. Move the switch SELECT to the engine 2. The button START will show “START”. Click on it to
start engine.

2. When the engine 2 started the switch SELECT return to center, now move IGNITION to OFF
position. To start engine 1 follow same procedure above indicated but this time for engine 1.
3. If you selected MANUAL in the switch IGNITION, verify NH indicator for engine 2 and over
11% move the CONDITION FUEL LEVER below of START AND UNFEATHER line to start
engine. We suggest maximum 10%.

WARNING: Don’t move FULL condition fuel lever or upon the line START & UNFEATHER, this
may cause loss of control of the engine and your aircraft spin out of control. Only move condition
levers when you are ready to take off.

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 b.- Taxiing

To control speed while taxiing on ground, you shall set first the FLIGHT CONTROL LOCK BAR to
avoid increase speed while taxiing. The bar lock flight controls as elevator too. To move it just
click on the bar (Virtual cockpit) or over support area (left or right) in 2D panel. To avoid hot brakes
control speed using reverser power, spoilers explode automatically over 10Knts ONLY on ground
and with power lever under 5%. Condition levers must be on START & UNFEATHER line or
below, no more.

UNLOCKED LOCKED

c.- Take off

Unlock the flight controls and move elevator and ailerons to all sides (front, back, left right, etc.),
when you are sure all controls are right, move condition fuel levers to MAX , set flaps, landing
lights and ready. Don’t try to set full throttle with FLIGHT CONTROLS BAR LOCK in lock position
because the elevator is DOWN and the power levers cannot pass the minimum.

See the next video to understand how taxiing and prepare to take off and after landing how take
off, is very educational about these procedures:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uccxL_TptOg

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BEFORE START ENGINES CHECKLIST

OVERHEAD
DC Control switch EXTERNAL POWER ON
AUX Battery switch ON
Main Battery switch ON
Generator 1 & 2 switch ON
Main BUS switch ON
Avionics switch ON
Flight data recorder NORMAL
APU starter START
APU generator ON
Navigation lights switch ON
STROBE and BEACON lights switch ON
Pressurization switch AUTO
AC Control generator 1 & 2 ON
AC primary switch ON
AC auxiliary switch ON
AC secondary switch ON
Air conditioning recirculation cabin switch ON
Air conditioning bleed 1 & 2 switch ON
F/C Fan switch ON
Air conditioning packs switch AUTO
Fasten belt and no smoking signs switch ON
Emergency lights switch ARMED
MAIN PANEL
EGPWS Switch INHIBIT
NAV1 and NAV2 Radio ON
Frequency and navigation info SET
Vertical speed or IAS knots SET
Altitude selected SET
Engine intake bypass door OPEN
Engine ECU mode knob SET TOP
Engine 1 and 2 ECU MODE button ON
Fuel qty CHECKD
Throttle and radios panel
FMS navigation route SET
Lever parking brakes ON
Fuel power levers SET IDLE
Condition fuel levers SET FUEL
OFF
Radios COMM1, COMM 2, ADF and ATC ON
Frequencies radios SET
Elevator trim SET TO
Aileron trim SET ZERO
Rudder trim SET ZERO
Pax Door and baggage door CLOSED

START ENGINES CHECKLIST

Engine 2 Ignition switch MANUAL

Engine Select switch SET 2
Start button START
Condition fuel lever 2 SET 10%
Engine 2 Ignition switch OFF
External power switch OFF
Ground service DISENGAGED
Engine 1 Ignition switch MANUAL
Engine Select switch SET 1
Start button START

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Condition fuel lever 1 SET 10%
Engine 1 Ignition switch OFF
APU Power OFF
APU generator OFF

TAXI CHECKLIST

Flight control lock bar LOCK

Taxi lights switch ON
Parking brakes OFF
Flaps position SET
Spoiler hydraulic 1 and 2 PUSH ON
VS or IAS autopilot SET
ALT SEL autopilot SET
Flight director autopilot ON
Yaw dumper autopilot ON
Autopilot master OFF

BEFORE TO TAKE OFF

Flight control lock bar UNLOCK

Flight controls CHECKD
Landing lights switch ON
Condition fuel levers SET MAX
Parking brakes OFF

AFTER TAKE OFF AND CLIMB CHECKLIST

Landing gear lever UP

Flaps lever UP
Autopilot master ON
Landing lights OFF
Taxi lights OFF
ECU Knob SET MCL

CRUISE ALTITUDE CHECKLIST

Fasten belt switch OFF

ECU Knob SET MCR
Condition fuel levers SET MIN

APPROACH CHECKLIST

ECU Knob MCP

Fasten belt switch ON
Flaps SET
Landing lights ON
Taxi lights ON
Condition fuel levers SET MAX
Spoiler hydraulic 1 and 2 PUSH ON

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AFTER LANDING CHECKLIST

Landing lights OFF

Taxi lights ON
Flight controls lock bar LOCK
Condition fuel levers SET START
Flaps UP
Autopilot master OFF
ECU Knob TOP

SHUTDOWN ENGINES CHECLIST

Taxi lights OFF

Condition fuel levers OFF
External power ON
Fasten belt switch OFF
Ground service ENGAGED
APU starter START
APU generator ON
Parking brakes SET ON
Main door OPEN

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 Credits and Acknowledgements

 Doug Dawson’s website and his wonderful complement DSD_ XML_SOUND3 and
DSD_BATERY_CHARGER because these pluggins allow some functions of this
aircraft. http://www.douglassdawson.ca/
 Special thanks to Graham Khan for his kind collaboration with legal documents and
beta tester, Piran Smith for his kind collaboration with some repaints for our product
and tested and Mark Foote (www.virtualflyte.co.uk) for his kind collaboration with
this project as beta tester and suggestions.

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