BAe 146

British Aerospace 146 sur Wikipedia.en

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The British Aerospace 146 (also BAe 146) is a regional airliner formerly manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace, later part of BAE Systems.

Production ran from 1983 until 2002. Manufacture of an improved version known as the Avro RJ began in 1992.

A further-improved version with new engines, the Avro RJX, was announced in 1997, but only two prototypes and one production aircraft were built before production ceased in late 2001.

With 387 aircraft produced, the Avro RJ/BAe 146 is the most successful British civil jet programme.

The BAe 146/Avro RJ is a high-wing cantilever monoplane with a T-tail. It has four turbofan engines mounted on pylons underneath the wings, and has retractable tricycle landing gear.

The aircraft has very quiet operation, and has been marketed under the name Whisperjet.

It sees wide usage at small city–based airports. In its primary role it serves as a regional jet, short-haul airliner or regional airliner.

The BAe 146/Avro RJ is in wide use among European airlines, such as Brussels Airlines, CityJet, Swiss International Air Lines and Lufthansa.

The BAe 146 comes in -100, -200 and -300 models.

The equivalent Avro RJ versions are designated RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100.

The freight-carrying version has the designation "QT" (Quiet Trader), while a convertible version is designated "QC" Quick Change).

Development

Origins

Hawker Siddeley carried out the original design in 1973 using the designation HS.146, but soon abandoned the project as a result of the world economic downturn resulting from the 1973 oil crisis.

Low-key development proceeded, however, and in 1978 British Aerospace, Hawker Siddeley's corporate successor, re-launched the project.

The 146 type number comes from the original de Havilland designation sequence, which was continued by Hawker Siddeley when the former became a subsidiary of the latter.

The BAe 146 received its Certificate of Airworthiness on 8 February 1983.

The early aircraft were built at what was originally a de Havilland factory at Hatfield.

The Avro RJ family of aircraft was assembled at the BAE Systems Regional Aircraft Centre at the Avro Airfield at Woodford in Greater Manchester, England.

Production of various sections of the aircraft was carried out at different BAE plants.

The rear fuselage section was manufactured at BAE Systems' former Avro site at Chadderton, near Oldham, Greater Manchester.

The center fuselage section was manufactured at the Filton BAE site.

The fin came from Brough and the engine pylons were made at Prestwick.

The nose section was manufactured at Hatfield, where the assembly line for the early aircraft was located. Some manufacturing was subcontracted outside the UK.

The wings were made by Textron in the United States and the tailplane and control surfaces were made by Saab-Scania in Sweden.

The upgraded Avro RJ series superseded the BAe 146 in 1993.

The original Lycoming ALF 502 geared turbofan engines were replaced by the higher thrust, derivative Honeywell LF 507 geared turbofan engines, which were housed in redesigned nacelles.

The Avro RJ series also featured a modernised cockpit with EFIS replacing the analogue ADI, HSI and engine instrumentation.

Production of this aircraft has ended, with the final four aircraft being delivered in October–November 2003. 166 Avro RJ aircraft were delivered between 1993 and 2002.

The aircraft proved to be useful on "high density" regional and short-haul routes.

In economy class, the aircraft can either be configured in a standard five-abreast layout or a high-density 6-abreast layout, making it one of very few regional jets that can use a 6-abreast layout in economy class.

The plane is also renowned for its relatively quiet operation, a positive feature that won the hearts of many operators who wanted to fly in and out of noise stringent airports within cities.

The aircraft is one of only a few types that can be used on flights to London City Airport, which has a unique steep approach and a short runway.

Problems

The ALF 502 turbofans suffered from some reliability problems.

The internal electronics were prone to overheating, which could trigger an automatic shutdown of an engine with no option of in-flight restarting, and certain rare atmospheric conditions caused loss of engine thrust due to internal icing.

The BAe 146 experienced aerotoxic syndrome due to leakage of tricresyl phosphate (TCP) into the plane's bleed air.

This has been blamed on problems with leaking engine seals.

Neurotoxic fumes have been known to incapacitate pilots.

Variants

BAe 146-100, Avro RJ70 & BAe 146 Statesman

First flight of the -100 occurred on 3 September 1981, with deliveries commencing in 1983.

The launch customer in March 1983 was Dan-Air, soon followed by the RAF's Royal Flight.

The -100 was the last of the 146 series designs to be developed into the Avro RJ standard with first deliveries of the Avro RJ70 in late 1993.

The RJ70 differed from the 146-100 in having FADEC LF 507 engines and digital avionics.

The RJ70 seats 70 passengers five abreast, 82 six abreast or 94 in high-density configuration.

The 146 is the first jet aircraft operated by the British Queen's Flight (later 32 (The Royal) Squadron), and entered service in 1986 after two aircraft were leased by the Royal Air Force for evaluation.

The Queen's Flight acquired a total of three 146s, all fitted out with a luxurious bespoke interior.

A complete spare interior was also ordered and held in storage at RAF Stafford.

The aircraft are operated in a VIP configuration with a capacity of 19 passengers and 6 crew.

The BAe 146-100QC is the convertible passenger/freight version and the BAe 146-100QT (Quiet Trader) is the freighter version.

146-100

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BAe-146-100

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