Country of origin:

United Kingdom

Description:

Commuter airliner; business and executive aircraft

Power Plant:

Two 671 kw (900 eshp) Garrett AiResearch TPE 331-10 turboprops

Specifications:

History:

The story of the British Aerospace Jetsteam goes back to 1965 when Handley Page designed the HP-137 Jetstream business aircraft powered by two 634 kw (850 eshp) Turbomeca Astazou XIV turboprops, the prototype of which was flown for the first time on 18 August 1967. This design was developed and, in December 1967, the US Government announced an order for eleven examples of the Mk 3M variant to be known as the C-10A in service with the US Air Force, to be powered by the 627 kw (840 eshp) Garrett AiResearch TPE 331-3W-301A turboprops. The prototype of this model (G-AWBR) was first flown on 21 November 1968, but in the event the order was cancelled. Handley Page then had financial difficulties and production ceased after a small number had been built.

The Jetstream Mk 1 series met with some success on the US market, but difficulties were experienced with the French-built engines, and a number of alternative engines were fitted.  Jetstream Inc fitted 727 kw (975 eshp) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-41 turboprops to a number; Aeronautical Development Associates Ltd fitted Astazou XVI turboprops; and Volpar Inc developed the Century III Jetstream with Garrett AirResearch TPE 331 engines.

Subsequently Scottish Aviation of Prestwick in  Scotland acquired design and production rights, and a number were built for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) as pilot and observer trainers, known as the T Mk 2. Eventually the company was absorbed into British Aerospace in 1977.

Some re-development took place and the prototype of the new series, which was converted from one of the Handley Page-built Mk 1 aircraft of the earlier series, was flown on 28 March 1980, followed by the flight development aircraft. Re-design of the type to Mk 31 standard included an increase in the maximum take-off weight from 5,670 kg (12,500 lb) to 6,600 kg (14,500 lb), the engine change as mentioned, altered electrical system from AC to DC, revised air-conditioning, a new hydraulic pump, and a re-designed cockpit.

A number of variants was developed, including the Executive Shuttle with seating for 12; a 19-seat commuter airliner; a nine-seat corporate transport; and the EZ for coastal surveillance, equipped with 360-degree scan radar, observation windows, sensors, cameras, long-range tanks, etc.

The RAF ordered 26 Jetstreams in February 1972 from Scottish Aviation, eight being operated as T.1 multi-engine trainers, the first being delivered in June 1973. However, policy changed and they were placed in storage in 1974. They were restored to service in 1977, twelve going to the RAF and 14 being transferred to the Royal Navy, being operated as T.2s for observer training. Later the RN obtained four T Mk 3s in 1986, and two were supplied to Saudi Arabia as the Mk 31 navigation trainer with Panavia Tornado avionics.

The Jetstream series was a major success for the manufacturer with more than 380 examples delivered around the world. Development led to the Super 31, certificated in 1988. This later became known as the J32 and had up-rated engines, higher weights, and a better performance. Subsequently, from 1997, British Aerospace offered the J32EP (Enhanced Performance) model with minor aerodynamic and drag improvements, and better payload range and performance.

First example of the type seen in this region was a Jetsteam 31 (G-TALL), which made a sales tour in 1983. In 1999 a Jetstream 32EP was noted at Avalon, VIC as VH-BAE4 (c/n 878 – ex N878AE, N878JX, N878AE, G-31-878) beginning operations in 1999 with Jet Charter, later being exported to New Zealand as ZK-ECP. Another was imported by Pacific Aviation as VH-PAJ³ (c/n 651 – ex N651JX, N406AE, G-31-651), this company becoming the dealer for sales and service of the corporate and business shuttle configured variants of the Jetstream J31 and J41 for the US Division, Jetstream Aircraft Inc. This aircraft later became ZK-JSX in March 1997.

Examples of both the Model 31 and Model 32 have been registered in Australia. Trans Australian Airlines, which later became Australian Airlines, and later again became part of Qantas, became Eastern Australia Airlines operating from Sydney, NSW and operated a fleet of Model 3107s including VH-TQJ (c/n 703), VH-TQK (c/n 705), and VH-TQL (c/n 707), and a Model 3207 VH-TQM (c/n 868).

TAA first chose the Jetstream 31 in 1985 for low-density routes from Brisbane to outback Queensland, being configured to seat 15 and obtained to replace Fokker F-27 Friendships. They were operated to Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Charters Towers, Longreach, Winton, Roma, etc from Brisbane; and another was based at Townsville operating to Mackay. When the aircraft were operated by Eastern Airlines, they linked Grafton, Kempsey, Taree, Glen Innes and Inverell with Sydney. At one time they were operating 47 return services from Sydney to Newcastle per week and operated to 12 major centres.

Aircruising Australia operated Model 3107 VH-OSW (c/n 629) on tourist flights around Australia, this aircraft having previously been operated by Sky West in Western Australia, which also operated VH-JSW (c/n 620) and VH-ESW (c/n 665), the aircraft being operated from Perth to Albany, Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Meekatharra and Telfer.

Australian Jet Charter leased a Model 32EP (c/n 878) from British Aerospace in 1998. O’Connor Airlines of South Australia operated three Model 32EPs VH-OAE (c/n 851), VH-OAB( c/n 853) and VH-OAM (c/n 859) in 1997. Sakhalin Energy Aviation operated one; and Maroomba Airlines of Perth operated VH-XMQ (c/n 665).

Flight West commenced operating Model 3201EPs in 1990, including VH-XFB (c/n 948 – ‘Captain Jack Treacy’); VH-XFC (c/n 949 – ‘Lores Bonney Pioneer Aviatrix – Brisbane’); VH-XFD (c/n 951 – ‘Sir Robert Norman Founder Bush Pilots Airways Cairns’); and VH-XFE (c/n 953 – ex N953LM – ‘Arthur Affleck First Flying Doctor Pilot – Cloncurry’). Flight West operated its examples in rural Queensland.

On 1 November 2006 AeroPelican in New South Wales took delivery of a Jetstream 32 VH-OTE (c/n 980), followed by VH-OTF (c/n 982) and VH-TQM (c/n 868) for its Sydney to Newcastle services.

Examples of both models have been registered in New Zealand and operators include Origin Pacific Airways and Ansett, examples including: Series 3100 Model 3102s ZK-JSA (c/n 839), ZK-JSH (c/n 838) and ZK-JSI (c/n 761) owned and operated by Origin Pacific Airways Ltd of Nelson. Two after some time were placed in storage at Nelson until 2012 when they were retired and obtained by Air New Zealand for use as instructional airframes. Rex Aviation (NZ) Ltd registered examples that were used by Ansett New Zealand, including ZK-RES (c/n 969 – ex N969AE), ZK-REW (c/n 968 – ex N968AE) and ZK-REY (c/n 946 – ex N946AE).

A number of Jetstreams were registered by Air National Corporation Ltd of Auckland and were operated on behalf of Ansett New Zealand Regional, operating between Wellington and Rotorua, and on operations linking Wellington with key provincial centres. Series 3200 Model 3201s were obtained to replace EMB Bandeirantes, and included ZK-ECN (c/n 967) and ZK-ECP (c/n 878).

After the demise of Ansett New Zealand a few of these aircraft were obtained by Origin Pacific Airways Ltd of Nelson, the registrations being changed, becoming ZK-JSQ (c/n 968), ZK-JSR (c/n 969) and ZK-JSU (c/n 946). This company initially operated the aircraft to cater for the corporate and group travel market and for increasing tourist access to regional New Zealand, four being operated in 18-seat commuter layout and one being configured for ten-seat executive travel.

On 10 August 2006 the New Zealand airline, Origin Pacific, ceased operations and three of its Jetstream 32EPs were obtained by Air National, the registrations being changed to ZK-ECR (c/n 968), ZK-ECJ (c/n 969) and ZK-ECI (c/n 946).

In 2001, after BAe had delivered 386 Jetstreams, the possibility was explored  re-engining the Jetstream 31 with the William International 1,900-lbst to 2,400 lbst FJ-44 turbofan in lieu of the Garrett turboprop, it being stated the aircraft would have a 648 km/h (403 mph) cruising speed at 10,668 m (35,000 ft) but nothing further came of this.

In February 2013 VH-OTA (c/n 868) was withdrawn from services and converted to components; and at that time ownership of VH-OTD (c/n 978 – ‘City of Newcastle’), VH-OTE (c/n 980) and VH-OTF (c/n 982) became part of the fleet of Brindabella Airlines. However, in due course Brindabella closed down.

In early 2016 a Jetstream 3200 became VH-NTL (c/n 982) owned by Montrose Asia Pacific Leasing Pty Ltd of Melbourne, VIC and operated by Pelican Airlines Pty Ltd of New Lambton, NSW.

Life Flight is a non-profit organisation operating from the Air Rescue Centre at Wellington, NZ, operating two Jetstreams on its services, these being ZK-LFT (c/n 977) and ZK-LFW (c/n 976).