From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The BAe 146 (also known as the Avro RJ) is a medium-sized commercial aircraft manufactured by BAE SYSTEMS. It carries its four jet engines on a high wing above the fuselage; not below, or at mid-fuselage, as on most conventional civilian aircraft. The aircraft has STOL capabilities and very quiet operation, so is widely used at small city-based airports. Its primary role is as a regional jet, short-haul airliner or feederliner. The freight carrying version is called QT ("quiet trader").The original design was created by British Aerospace in the 1970s, but the project was cancelled at a relatively advanced stage in 1977 by a cost-cutting Labour government. On re-election in 1979, the new Conservative government resurrected the project.
Production began in 1983 with the series 100, carrying 70 - 84 passengers, and ended during the 2001 world slump in the aviation market.
The BAe 146 comes in -100, -200 and -300 models. The -300 model includes a glass cockpit and is widely used among European airlines, such as Air Berlin, Lufthansa and Olympic Airways.
The BAe 146 is the only commercial jet with 4 turbofan jet engines and wings mounted on top of the fuselage.
Being equipped with extremely large flaps and spoilers, the plane does not need reverse thrust at landing. Consequently, the four engines from the British manufacturer Lycoming do not have this facility. The plane can takeoff and land on extremely short runways, such as Mönchengladbach.
Special performance
The type name Avro RJ superseded BAe 146 in 1993 in a new joint venture. The Avro RJ is available in three sizes for 70, 85 and 100 passengers. The cockpit, engines and operations are the same with all three aircraft. The engines have been replaced with turbofan engines of Honeywell Inc. and are housed in newly designed nacelles. Production of this extremely successful plane has now ended. Many airlines will replace the Avro/BAe with the Boeing 717
