PRODUCT BACKROUND

The BAe 146 first flew commercially in 1983. The aircraft was designed specifically to meet the demanding requirements of the regional air transport market where heavy utilisation over short sector lengths coupled with high reliability are paramount requirements. Outstanding airfield performance and whisper-jet noise levels are other attributes of the aircraft, which offers excellent profit potential on low-density routes.

PRODUCTION

A total of 222 BAe 146s were built between 1983 and 1993 when it was succeeded by the Avro RJ Series.

Three different length versions of the BAe 146 were built - the Series 100 with 70-84 seats, the 200 Series with 85-100 seats and the 300 Series with 100-112 seats. The aircraft was also manufactured as a pure freighter (QT- Quiet Trader), a QC- Quick Change variant and as a VIP transport aircraft (the Statesman).

With outstanding performance and low noise characteristics, the BAe 146 was designed to be ideal for small city-centre airports. There was an ptional kit that extended this performance capability to unpaved runways sometimes found in more remote locations.

The three different size variants of the BAe 146 retain complete engineering and operational commonality. This is a major benefit to airlines, as matching the correct size of aircraft to traffic demand produces significant cost savings. For airlines, the BAe 146 and its Avro RJ successor is a unique solution, being the only regional jet family extending from 70 to over 100 seats.

The BAe 146 and Avro RJs have become known as "The Regional Jets of Choice" because of their high appeal to service-conscious airlines and their passengers.

The BAe 146 is particularly popular with service-conscious airlines needing to provide "seamless" connections to mainline, long-haul flights. This is because the wide cabin, with 5-abreast seating, fully matches the seat width, aisle width and full headroom of much larger mainline jets. The cabin layout, too, is unique amongst regional jets. Toilets, galleys and doors are located at each end of the cabin, speeding cabin service (particularly important on short sectors) and allowing a two-class cabin if required.

BAe 146 FREIGHTER PROGRAMS

During the course of its production run, the BAe 146 was converted into a freighter and in total almost 30 aircraft were converted new on the production line during the mid-late 1980s. All of these aircraft are still in service today. No Avro RJs were ever converted into freighters.

The designation BAe 146QT (Quiet Trader) freighter was given to these aircraft, most of which were converted for operation by the major integrator, TNT. In addition, some other aircraft were converted into a QC (Quick Change) configuration in which it is possible to change from a passenger to all freight layout in less than 30minutes.

Both the QT and QC aircraft were converted by Pemco World Air Services at Dothan, Alabama. Included in the conversion was the large upward opening freight door 332cm wide x 193 cm high (131 inches x 76 inches) in the rear fuselage, together with the installation of a roller floor and associated cargo handling equipment.

Depending on the variant of BAe 146 that is converted, up to 10 LD3 containers can be carried (Series 300), with nine in the Series 200. Standard 108 x 88 inch pallets make best use of the BAe 146's freight volume with seven and half pallets carried in the Series 300 and six and half pallets in the Series 200. The aircraft can also swallow 125 x 96 inch pallets and over the years has been amply proven for the carriage of bloodstock as well as long one-piece loads.

Today, older BAe 146s are progressively becoming more attractive to the freight market by virtue of lower residual values and pricing levels so the freight conversion by Pemco is again being considered by the company as an offering to the market.

However, some operators are expressing interest in simpler and cheaper freight interior conversions that can be undertaken by third-party design organisations as Supplemental Design Certificates (STCs).

Cranfield Aerospace of Bedfordshire, UK is working on a forward fuselage large freight door conversion for the BAe 146-300. The advantage of a forward freight door is that it is in the parallel fuselage section and thereby avoids the double curvature of the rear fuselage. The Cranfield door is sized at 96 inches x 72 inches and will be capable of taking 108 inch x 88 inch pallets. In addition, Cranfield Aerospace is also working on an E-Class interior version of the BAe 146 so that the aircraft can be offered as a bulk loading freighter.

SALES

A total of 222 BAe 146s were built and 221 aircraft delivered with the first prototype also due to be delivered to bring the grand total to 222.

• A total of 35 series BAe-146-100s were built. One (the prototype) was later converted to series 300 standard. One is configured as a QT freighter (this aircraft had previously been the STA demonstrator).
• A total of 116 series BAe-146-200s were built, including 14 QT freighters and 5 QC quick-change models.
• A total of 71 series BAe-146-300s were built, including the prototype, which was converted from the prototype series 100. 10 were built as QT freighters.

BAe 146s are operated by or on behalf of many operators worldwide and fly in the colours of major airlines and their regional partners including: Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Qantas, and United. This aircraft family has enjoyed sales success all over the world, but particularly in Europe, North America and Australasia. In Europe, the BAe 146 and it successor the Avro RJ is the most popular regional jet among member carriers of the European Regions Airlines Association with nearly 25% of the total jet capacity. The aircraft is also in widespread service in both the USA and Canada and in Australia.

KEY TECHNICAL DATA

 

	BAe 146-100	BAe 146-200	BAe 146-300
Maximum Take Off Weight	38102 kg (84000 lb)	42184 kg (92000  lb)	43091 kg (95000 lb)
Maximum Landing Weight	35153 kg (77500 lb)	36741 kg (81000 lb)	37648 kg (83000 lb)
Maximum Zero Fuel Weight	31070 kg (68500 lb)	33340 kg (73500 lb)	35607 kg (78500 lb)
Operating Empty Weight (typical)	23290 kg (51342 lb	23754 kg (52368 lb	24174 kg (54481 lb)
Seats (5 abreast)	70	85	100
Seats (6 abreast)	82	100	112
Wing Span	26.34 m (86 ft 55 in)	26.34 m (86 ft 55 in)	26.34 m (86 ft 55 in)
Length	26.16 m (85 ft 10 in)	28.55 m (93 ft 8 in)	30.1 m (101 ft 8 in)
Cabin Length	15.42 m (50 t 7 in)	17.81 m (58 ft 5 in)	20.20 m (66 ft 3 in)
Seat Width (5 abreast)	48.25 cm (19 in)	48.25 cm (19 in)	48.25 cm (19 in)
Aisle Width (5 abreast)	53.3 cm (21 in)	53.3 cm (21 in)	53.3 cm (21 in)
Cabin Headroom	2.07 m (6 ft 9. in)	2.07 m (6 ft 9. in)	2.07 m (6 ft 9. in)
Freight Holds	13.56 m3 (479 cu ft)	18.25 m3 (645 cu ft)	22.98 m (812 cu ft)
Max Speed	m.073/300kt IAS	m.073/300kt IAS	m.073/300kt IAS
Max Altitude	31000 ft	31000 ft	31000 ft