The Q400 is pitched at the short haul regional airliner market for stage lengths of 550km (300nm) or less. Despite the recent proliferation of regional jets, Bombardier notes that regional jets have created their own market niche and are not replacing turboprops, which remain more economical over shorter stage lengths. Bombardier says the Q400's breakeven load factor for a 360km (195nm) stage length will be just 29 passengers. The Q400 features a new fuselage stretched 6.83m (22ft 5in) compared with the Q300 mated with the familiar Dash 8 nose section and vertical tail, while the horizontal tail is new. The fuselage's cross section and structure is based on the earlier Dash 8's but with two entry doors at the forward and aft ends of the fuselage on the left side, with emergency exit doors opposite them on the right side. The Q400's inner wing section and wing fuselage wing join are new, while the outer wing has been strengthened. Power is from two FADEC equipped 3410kW (4573shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150As. The Q400 is fitted with Bombardier's NVS active noise and vibration system which reduces cabin noise to levels comparable to the CRJ jet airliner. This is achieved through the use of computer controlled active tuned vibration absorbers (ATVAs) mounted on the airframe. The flightdeck features five large Sextant LCD colour displays which present information to the pilots in a similar format to earlier Dash 8s, allowing a common type rating.
