Country of origin:

United Kingdom

Description:

Commercial regional airliner

Power Plant:

Two 1,119 kw (1,500 shp) Garret AiResearch TPE 331-14GR/HR turboprops

Specifications:

History:

The development program for a lengthened British Aerospace Jetstream 31 began in May 1989, a full-scale mock-up being displayed at the 1989 Paris Air Show. The prototype (G-GCJL) was rolled out at the manufacturer’s facility at Prestwick, Scotland, on 27 March 1991 and flew for the first time on 25 September 1991. This was followed by the second aircraft (G-PJRT) in February 1992, the third (G-OXLI) on 27 March 1992, and the fourth (G-JMAC) on 8 July 1992.

Designed as a turboprop-powered regional airliner with a flight crew of two, an attendant and seating for 29 passengers, the Jetstream 41 was basically a lengthened Jetstream 31, with Garrett TPE 331-14 GR/HR handed turboprops driving McCauley five-blade constant-speed feathering metal propellers. Whilst the 1.98 m (6 ft 5 in) diameter fuselage was the same, manufacture was simpler, it being formed from rolled and stretch-formed aluminium alloy skin panels supported by fabricated and machined frames and stringers.

A number of other companies were risk-sharing partners and involved in production of components. These included Pilatus (tail assembly and ailerons), Gulfstream (wing), Westland Aerostructures (engine nacelles), Honeywell (avionics), and the Slingsby Group (large composite components).

Variants of the design were the standard passenger version, and the QC/Combi for passengers and containers. In 1994 payload range performance was increased in new aircraft, the max take-off and landing weights being increased by 454 kg (1,000 lb) and range being increased to 1,352 kg (840 miles).

First deliveries were to Loganair and Manx Airlines. Production was set at 33 aircraft per year by the end of 1993, increasing to 45 per year if required from 1994. Later it was announced that production aircraft would be fitted with 1,231 kw (1,650 shp) TPE 331-14 engines. Initially the type was known as the BAe Jetstream 41 but a separate division was set up to produce the aircraft and it became, from 1996, part of the Aero International (Regional) Line. However, the type was not popular and in 1997 production was stopped after 100 aircraft had been built.

First of the type seen in this region was the fourth prototype (G-JMAC – c/n 4) on a sales tour of Australia and New Zealand in December 1993.

In mid 1994 the Impulse Group, which took over the services previously operated by Oxley Airlines on Australias east coast, became the launch customer in this region, ordering and receiving five: VH-SMH (c/n 41034 – ex G-4-034) operating from July 1994 to October 1995; VH-AFR (c/n 41036 – ex G-4-036) from September 1994 to October 1995; VH-IMQ (c/n 41035 – ex N11187) from September 1994 to October 1995 when it became VH-JSX; VH-IMR (c/n 41038 – ex N23143) from September 1994 to October 1995 when it was exported as G-BWJF; and VH-IMS (c/n 41044 – ex N42285) from September 1994 to August 1995 when it was exported to South Africa as ZS-NUO. However, Impulse only used this fleet for a short period, cancelling an order for a further five to be delivered in 1996. The five aircraft were sold to other operators, a few going to South Africa. These Australian examples were withdrawn from use in July 1995 and ferried to Adelaide, SA for storage.

Amongst other services on the Australian east coast, theJetstream 41 was also used on a direct Newcastle, NSW to Melbourne, VIC service. Two examples were operated in South Australia later with Jetcraft: VH-CCW (c/n 41037 – ex G-BWUI, HL5226, G-4-037) from February 1998 to December 1999 when it was exported to South Africa as ZS-OMZ; and VH-CCJ (c/n 41036 – ex N4361X, G-BWIC, VH-AFR, G4-036) from October 1997 to December 1999 when it was also exported to South Africa as ZS-OMY. These aircraft were operated on the Santos Contract, operating between Adelaide and Moomba, SA.

Pearljet in north Queensland operated one for a period providing contract air services to Osborne Gold and National Jet Systems of Adelaide operated VH-JSX (c/n 41035 – ex VH-IMQ).

In New Zealand the type was operated with some success by Origin Pacific Airways of Nelson, with five in service by early 2006. This airline was established in 1997 and operated scheduled services and freight operations. It operated a fleet of BA Jetstream 31s and Jetstream 41s from Nelson to Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Queenstown, etc and all the larger New Zealand cities. The fleet included: Jetstream 41s ZK-JSE (c/n 41046), ZK-JSK (c/n 41049), ZK-JSM (c/n 41052), ZK-JSN (c/n 41053) and ZK-JSO (c/n 41056). However, during 2005 the company commenced to retire and sell the aircraft, offering them for sale as it was taking delivery of SAAB 340s as replacements. On 10 August 2006 Origin Pacific ceased operations, the last scheduled service for the airline being performed by ZK-JSE. Later ZK-JSM was placed on lease with Peau Vava’u in Tonga, the remainder of the fleet being exported.

In July 2007 Brindabella Airlines, based in Canberra, ACT, announced it was obtaining two Jetstream 41s for operations on its Newcastle to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, and Brisbane QLD routes, the first entering service in October 2007 and the second in February 2008. Brindabella imported another example in 2013, this becoming VH-XNE (c/n 41065) in July that year. However, following the company’s demise, the aircraft, which were owned by the Commonwealth Bank, were re-possessed in late 2013 following being grounded by CASA for breaches of maintenance regulations and the aircraft were exported overseas. The registrations of the fleet at that time were cancelled, the aircraft having been VH-TAH (c/n 41084) a Model 4101; VH-TAI (c/n 41082), also a Model 4101; VH-XNE (c/n 41065), a Model 4100; and VH-XNF (c/n 41068), a Model 4100.