The Golden Age of British Aviation
ZE700 taxiing at VNO. 10FEB2022!
Few words about BAe-146 also known as "Smurfjet with 5 APU's". Designed in the early 80s, it has become a quite popular option between various commonly known airlines around the globe. The key feature of BAe-146 was that airframe as well as many systems were designed as simple as possible. This was done to simplify operations in harsh conditions. The aircraft even don't have reverse thrust, instead, a large airbrake with two petals below the tail rudder at the rear of the fuselage was installed. This brake had the advantage of being usable during flight and allowing for steep descent rates if required. Together with relatively quiet engines, it became extremely suitable in specific airports like London City airport which is located in the city center. With the cabin width of 3.42m, it offered a quite average comfort level for the passengers, but You do not need more when flying short-haul routes. Also High mounted engines allowed the aircraft to be used on unpaved runways. Of course, there was a price to pay, due to high mounted wing design, cruise speed was only about 0.7 Mach, which compared to Boeing 737 and A319 was quite low. Despite having 4 engines, fuel consumption was quite low and varied between 1.5 to 2.5 tons per hour, depending on the conditions, load, and engines installed. This was key to success, especially on oil crises during the 1980-1990s.
British Aerospace Avro RJ100 of Jota Aviation at Vilnius airport!
The second reborn of the BAe-146 was in 1992 when Avro International Aerospace presented an improved version of standard BAe-146. The BAe-146 was produced in -100, -200, and -300 models. The equivalent Avro RJ versions are designated RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100. It is worth mentioning that the new RJ planes had new, more efficient engines, longer range, and upgraded avionics, which helped the company to receive orders for 166more planes. In total there were 387 BAe-146 and RJ series aircraft built. To this day not many of them stay in active service.
UK Royal Air Force!
It can relate to the BAe-146 especially. On January 21, 2022, The UK Royal air force announced that of its remaining four BAe-146 aircraft, the two BAe-146 Mk2 will go to museums in the UK and the two BAe-146 Mk3 aircraft have been acquired by a civilian operator. These two aircraft are ZE700 and ZE701. The first of these, ZE701, made its final flight on 25 January. ZE700 remains in active service, but it is the last flight of it under the flag of the Royal Air Force. Over the coming weeks, it will be transferred to that civilian operator as well. Our team got extremely lucky, to receive the opportunity of capturing it just before retirement.
Have a good night ZE700!
Fun fact - that civil operator is Pionair Australia. The company is specialising in both dangerous and non-dangerous cargo transport and the fleet of the company mainly consists of BAe-146. that probably means, that it will be still possible for these birds to fly for some time.
The Sun Goes Down Stars Come Out!
Third reborn? - Yes You heard it correctly. Airbus has announced that they are designing the new, electrical powered A/C and the testbed is based on BAe146! An Avro RJ100 flying testbed would have one of its four Honeywell LF507 turbofans replaced by a Rolls-Royce 2 MW electric motor, adapted by Rolls-Royce and powered by its AE2100 turboshaft. The plans were canceled (temporary?!) due to COVID-19, but who knows. Maybe the newest Airbus product, powered by Rolls-Royce electric engine will be based on old, but good BAe-146!
Best regards,
Your AviapixBaltics!