Country of origin:

United Kingdom

Description:

Commercial airliner

Power Plant:

Four 6,968 lbst Avco Lycoming ALF-502R-5 turbofans

Specifications:

History:

Initially known as the Hawker Siddeley HS 746, the series was first launched in 1973 as a feeder-jet transport, the design being the subject of a lengthy gestation period in the wake of the oil crisis. However, after Hawker Siddeley became part of the British Aerospace Corporation, the design was reviewed and offered in two vaeiantss, the 82-seat BA-146-100, and the 106-seat BA-146-200 powered by four Avco Lycoming 502-H turbofans. The prototype BA-146-100 was flown for the time at Hatfield in Hertfordshire on 3 September 1981, being followed on 25 January 1982 by the second prototype.

The first Series BA-146-200 aircraft was the fourth airframe, flying in 1982 for the first time. Customer deliveries of the Series 100 commenced early in 1983 to Dan Air in the United Kingdom. The BA-146 was optimised for operations over stage lengths in the order of 241 km (150 miles) with un-refuelled multi-stop capability. Various military variants were offered, including a variant with a rear freight loading ramp, and the type was evaluated by the RAF.

The last of the series was delivered in 2003, this being the 1981 prototype BA-146 modified for atmospheric research duties, extra fuel tanks being installed as well as wing pylons for external stores. Certification to operate at altitude up to 10,668 m (35,000 ft) was granted. A total of 220 examples of the series was built. In later years BA-146s underwent upgrades to increase their life, including the installation of liquid-crystal flight deck systems.

The type was first seen in Australia late in 1982 when the manufacturer’s demonstrator made a sale tour of South-East Asia and Australasia. Designed as a competitor to the Fokker F-28 Fellowship, which was quite successful in this region, Airlines of Western Australia ordered two examples of the BA-146-200 series with an option on a further six, these aircraft being configured to carry 75 passengers. Ground power for the BA-146 was provided by a Garrett AiResearch GTCP36-100 APU which permitted stops at regional centres, allowing ten minute turnarounds at en-route stops, and twenty minutes at base turnarounds, including refuelling and maintenance inspection. A five-stop flight could thus be made without refuelling or ground support.

The first delivered to an Australian operator was BA-146-200 VH-JJP to Ansett WA, being delivered to Perth, WA on 26 April 1985, followed by VH-JJQ in June, and by March 1987 that airline had five in service.

The airline received another BA-146-200 when the ex-Ansett New Zealand aircraft ZK-NZB became VH-JJX, the ex-East West Airlines BA-146-300 VH-EWK replacing it in New Zealand. Ansett WA merged with Ansett Australia in 1993 and BA-146-200 ZK-NZA became VH-JJU. By 1996 Ansett Australia had a fleet of 14 BA-146s operating services all over Australia, as well as to Christmas and Cocos Islands.

Further development led to the BA-146-300 series, a stretched version with seating for 120-passengers, and freighter versions of the BA-146-100 and BA-146-200 series. The BA-146-300 had the fuselage lengthened by 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) and, to accommodate the increased weight, some modifications were made to the wing aerodynamics and the engines. Late in 1984 it was announced that two BA-146-200s with additional fuel tanks would be obtained for the RAF Queen’s Flight, these providing a range with maximum payload of 3,287 km (2,043 miles).

In May 1989 Ansett Air Freight received a BA-146-200QT VH-JJY, being followed by VH-JJZ. In August 1989 East West Airlines ordered eight BA-146-300s, the first two arriving at Tamworth, NSW in August 1990, VH-EWI and VH-EWJ, beginning services the following month. The last EWA BA-146 VH-EWS was delivered in June 1991 and at this time the airline retired its fleet of Fokker F-28-4000s. VH-EWN later went to Ansett New Zealand as ZK-NZK, followed by ZK-EWJ and ZK-EWK, becoming ZK-NZM and ZK-NZL. East West Airlines was eventually merged with Ansett Australia and the BA-146s were repainted in Ansett colours.

One of the largest operators of the type in  this part of the Pacific has been TNT International Aviation Services, which ordered a fleet of 72 BA-146QTs for its worldwide freight operations. This model could carry up to nine LD-3 containers on a strengthened floor.

In 1990 BAe offered the RJ-70 and RJ-80, these being new variants of the series based on the BA-146-100. These were aimed at the regional airline market and had improved FADEC equipped LF 507 engines, entering production in 1993 but only a small number were built.

Production of the BA-146-100 ceased in 1992 after a total of 37 aircraft was built. Production of the BA-146-200 ceased in early 1993 after 113 examples had been built, being replaced by what became known as the Avro RJ-85. This new development of the series was powered by four 6,970 lbst Allied Signal LF 507 turbofans and more than 80 examples were sold. The first Avro RJ-85 flew on 23 March 1992.

Production of the 146-300 also ceased in 1993 after 71 examples had been built. It was developed into the Avro RJ-100 and the RJ-115. Some 60 RJ-100s were built, this being a derivative of the BA-146-300 but having new engines, a new interior, a new flight deck and other improvements. First flight of the RJ-100 was on 13 May 1992. The model RJ-115 was designed to seat between 116 and 128 passengers in a six-abreast configuration.

In the 1990s the Australasian fleet of BA-146s increased and by July 1996 38 were operating in Australia and New Zealand. National Jet Systems owned a number. In June 1990 it imported a BA-146-100A VH-NJC to operate services between Adelaide and Moomba in South Australia, and cargo flights between the capital cities. These operations expanded to the point where, by 1995, the company had 13 BA-146s on lease from AMO.

In June 1991 the company began operating three BA-146-100s on behalf of Australian Airlines on Queensland and Northern Territory routes. Australian Airlink commenced services in August 1991 using National Jet aircraft, two further aircraft being imported VH-NJY and VH-NJZ, followed by VH-NJQ. National Jet also leased aircraft to Australia Air Express. Australian Airlines then established Australian AirLink in July 1991, operating initially BA-146-100 VH-NJZ, followed by VH-NJY and VH-NJR.

In December 1995 the first of the Avro RJ series arrived in Australia, this RJ-70 VH-NJT (ex G-OLXX) being for National Jet Systems, operating on lease from AMO between Perth and Telfer in the Great Sandy Desert carrying staff to the Newcrest Mine. It was exported in January 1996 as G-BWLG.

In 1994 Australian AirLink leased three BA-146-200s and a BA-146-300 from National Jet, the airline at this time becoming known as AirLink, and these aircraft were painted in Qantas livery. By mid 1995 AirLink had nine 146s based in Cairns Brisbane in Queensland and Perth, WA. Its BA-146s which have seen service in this region over the years have included: VH-NJE (c/n 1104) and two BA-146-200s being c/ns 2072 and 2073. In mid 1996 AirLink had twelve, comprising two BA-146-300 series VH-NJL and VH-NJN; its  BA-146-200s being VH-NJG, VH-NJH,and VH-NJJ; and its BA-146-100 series being VH-NJC, VH-NJE, VH-NJR, VH-NJY and VH-NJZ.

At that time Ansett Australia had twelve BA-146-300 series and seven BA-146-200 series, the BA-146-300 series including VH-EWM, VH-EWR and VH-EWS; and BA-146-200 series including VH-JJP, VH-JJQ, VH-JJS, VH-JJT, VH-JJU, VH-JJW and VH-JJX.

Australian Air Express had three BA-146-300QTs and one BA-146-100QT, and National Jet Systems had a BA-146-100 series, these aircraft including VH-NJR, VH-NJV, VH-NJY, and VH-NJZ; an RJ-70 VH-NJT; BA-146- 200 series VH-NJG, VH-NJH, VH-NJJ and VH-NJU; and BA-146-100 series VH-NJA, VH-NJC and VH-NJR.

QantasLink / Airlink also obtained a fleet of BA-146s, including: BA-146-300 series VH-NJL and VH-NJN; BA-146-200 series and VH-NJC, VH-NJD, VH-NJE, VH-NJR, VH-NJX, VH-NJY and VH-NJZ.

Other operators have included East West Airlines with eight BA-146-300s series, these aircraft being incorporated into Ansett Australia and Ansett New Zealand fleets. Ansett aircraft initially entered service with Ansett West Australia but the company ceased operations in July 1993, becoming part of the Ansett Australia route network.

In July 1987 TNT / News Corporation purchased East West Airlines and a few of the BA-146s were painted in the ‘Express Freight System’ colours.

New Zealand examples were initially registered to Bilmans Management Ltd of Christchurch, and operated by Ansett New Zealand. These included: BA-146-200 series: ZK-NZA (c/n E2116) and VH-NZC (c/n E2119); BA-146-300 series  ZK-NZF (c/n E3134), VH-NZG (c/n E3135), VH-NZH (c/n E3137). VH-NZI (c/n E3143), VH-NZJ (c/n E3147), VH-NZK (c/n E3190), VH-NZL (c/n E3175), VH-NZM (c/n E3173) and VH-NZN (c/n E3177), these aircraft later being operated in the colours of Air New Zealand Link / Mount Cook Airlines, the latter inaugurating services with the BA-46 on 25 June 2001.

Following the demise of Ansett Airlines 17 of the company’s BA-146s, both Australian and New Zealand registered, were stored at various centres, including Tullamarine and Essendon in Victoria, Townsville in Queensland and Blenheim, NZ, some being exported but many remaining in storage at the end of 2005 awaiting sale. A number were broken up, including VH-JJU, VH-JJW, VH-JJP, ZK-NZH and ZK-NZI.

In December 2008 Air National in New Zealand obtained a BA-146-200 (c/n E2130 – ex C-GRNX) from Canada which became ZK-ECO  commencing operations in the charter role, being set-up for 84 passengers in economy or 48 in business class configuration.

In late 2014 an RJ-85 variant arrived at Avalon, VIC. This aircraft registered N355AC [Firebomber 162] had ferried from Abbotsford, British Colombia, Canada on 7 December, the aircraft entering service in Victoria for fire attack duties during the bushfire season. During its period in Australia on fire-fighting missions it was fitted with an 11,000 litre (2,420 Imp gals) external tank for fire retardant which was released through a computer-controlled system. It also deployed to South Australia where, over a two-day period, it dropped 200,000 litres (43,995 Imp gals) of retardant. It later operated in and around Perth and in early March 2015 it operated in Tasmania. As the type has neared the end of its life quite a number have been converted for fire-bombing operations around the world.

A further example arrived in Australia in late 2016, this being a BA-146-200QC imported by Pionair Australia, becoming VH-SFW (c/n E.2105) and  entering service with Virgin Australia Cargo Services. Since then further examples have been converted to freight configuration and have operated on freight work around Australia.