The BAe 146 by British Aerospace and its successor, the Avro RJ, had a good run in the Philippines. Airlines like Asian Spirit, Skyjet, and Royal Air flew these planes. These aircraft were especially useful for landing on short and challenging runways, like those in Caticlan before its extension, Batanes, and Balesin. People often referred to it as “Jumbolino.” So, let’s dig into the details of the BAe 146.
The Design Philosophy
The BAe 146 and Avro RJ100 feature a high cantilever wing and a T-tail. They have four jet engines mounted on pylons beneath the wings. The aircraft were engineered to be low-maintenance and cost-effective. Many of the components were standard products, easily sourced and requiring minimal specialized tooling. The wing was constructed from as few components as possible. It did not have leading-edge slats, and the top panel of the main wing was a single piece. This design approach helped to minimize maintenance costs. The aircraft also had no auxiliary power unit but used a hush-hush GPU for ground power and an air starter for engine starting.
Variants and Adaptability
The BAe 146 was produced from 1983 until 2002. It came in three main variants: the 146-100, 146-200, and 146-300. The Avro versions were the RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100. Contrary to initial predictions, the 146-200 and RJ85 became the best sellers.
The aircraft also had cargo versions, designated by the letters QT for Quiet Trader. Additionally, there was a QC or Quick Change option, which allowed the aircraft to carry passengers during the day and convert to freight at night. The standard passenger cabin had a five-abreast seating configuration, but a high-density six-abreast option was also available. The aircraft also had a large underfloor cargo hold.
The Avro RJ series were assembled at BAe Systems Regional Aircraft at Woodford Aerodrome in Greater Manchester. The rear fuselage was sourced from BAe Systems in Chadderton, the center fuselage from BAe Filton, and the vertical stabilizer from Brough. The engine pylons were manufactured in Prestwick, the nose section in Hatfield, and the wings were sourced from Textron in the United States.
Engine Specs and Issues
The BAe 146 was equipped with four Avco Lycoming ALF 502 H engines. Each engine produced 6,500lbf of thrust. These engines were selected for their quiet operation, which was achieved through a geared front fan and a high by-pass ratio. However, the engines had their challenges. There were instances of internal electronics overheating, which led to engine shutdowns that could not be rectified during flight. Additionally, there were problems with engine icing that affected power output and caused complications with the bleed air system and cabin pressure.
The aircraft were designed to operate on short and rough runways. The high-wing and T-tail configuration, along with the absence of reverse thrust, made them suitable for such conditions.
The braking system was unique in that the tail section opened like a clam to brake against the airflow. This feature could also be used in-flight for steep descents without gaining speed. Upon landing, full-length spoilers on the main wings would deploy to reduce speed and lift. The aircraft also had excellent climb-out rates, making them ideal for hot and high airfields.
| Specification | BAe 146-100/RJ70 | BAe 146-200/RJ85 | BAe 146-300/RJ100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 70–82 | 85–100 | 97–112 |
| Cabin Width | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Length | 26.19 m (85.9 ft) | 28.55 m (93.7 ft) | 31 m (102 ft) |
| Height | 8.61 m (28.2 ft) | 8.61 m (28.2 ft) | 8.61 m (28.2 ft) |
| Wing | 26.34 m (86.4 ft) span, 77.3 m2 (832 sq ft) area, 8.98 AR | Same as -100/RJ70 | Same as -100/RJ70 |
| MTOW | 38,101 kg (84,000 lb) | 42,184 kg (93,000 lb) | 44,225 kg (97,500 lb) |
| OEW | 23,820 kg (52,510 lb) | 24,600 kg (54,230 lb) | 25,640 kg (56,530 lb) |
| Max. Payload | 8,612 kg (18,990 lb) | 11,233 kg (24,760 lb) | 11,781 kg (25,970 lb) |
| Fuel Capacity | 11,728 L (3,098 US gal), option: 12,901 L (3,408 US gal) | Same as -100/RJ70 | Same as -100/RJ70 |
| Engines (×4) | BAe 146: Lycoming ALF 502R-5, Avro RJ: Honeywell LF 507-1F | Same as -100/RJ70 | Same as -100/RJ70 |
| Thrust (×4) | 6,990 lbf (31.1 kN) | 6,990 lbf (31.1 kN) | 6,990 lbf (31.1 kN) |
| Speed | Mach 0.739 Max, Mach 0.7 cruise | Same as -100/RJ70 | Same as -100/RJ70 |
| Ceiling | 35,000 ft (11,000 m) | 35,000 ft (11,000 m) | 35,000 ft (11,000 m) |
| Range | 82 pax: 3,870 km (2,090 nmi) | 100 pax: 3,650 km (1,970 nmi) | 100 pax: 3,340 km (1,800 nmi) |
| Takeoff (SL, ISA) | 1,195 m (3,921 ft) | 1,390 m (4,560 ft) | 1,535 m (5,036 ft) |
| Landing (SL, ISA) | 1,180 m (3,870 ft) | 1,190 m (3,900 ft) | 1,270 m (4,170 ft) |
| Fuel Consumption (FL 310) | 425 kn: 2,468 kg (5,441 lb)/h, 361 kn: 1,594 kg (3,514 lb)/h | 423 kn: 2,483 kg (5,474 lb)/h, 361 kn: 1,672 kg (3,686 lb)/h | 429 kn: 2,517 kg (5,549 lb)/h, 377 kn: 1,724 kg (3,801 lb)/h |
History and Milestones
The BAe 146 project was initiated in 1973 by British aircraft manufacturer Hawker Siddley. However, the project was shelved due to the 1973 oil crisis. It was revived by British Aerospace in 1978. The first commercial flight of the BAe 146 was operated in May 1983 by Dan-Air, flying from London Gatwick to Berne, Switzerland. In 1992, the Avro RJ series was introduced. These aircraft featured upgraded engines and a modernized cockpit with new electronic displays. The aircraft also had a Category IIIa automatic landing capability.
As of July 2019, there were 94 BAe 146 and Avro RJ aircraft in active service worldwide. They have been used for various roles, including as private jets and in firefighting. The largest operator was Swiss Global Airlines, which retired its last RJ100 in August 2017. The aircraft have also been used by the UK’s Royal Flight.
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