AIRCRAFT
The British Aerospace (renamed BAE Systems) Avro RJs are a family of regional jets based on the successful BAe146. There are three variants: RJ70, RJ85 and RJ100 that have different fuselage lengths, but complete engineering and operational commonality. This is a benefit to airlines, as matching the correct size of aircraft to traffic demand produces significant cost savings. There is also a fourth variant, the RJ115. This has the same fuselage length as the RJ100, but has six-abreast seating instead of the usual four- or five-abreast. The RJs were the only regional jet family extending from 70 to over 120 seats.The range has been popular with airlines needing to provide "seamless" connections to mainline, long-haul flights. This is because the wide "Spaceliner" cabin matches the seat width, aisle width and full headroom of much larger mainline jets. (Seating is 6 abreast in Jersey European Airways‚ aircraft.) The cabin layout, too, is unique amongst regional jets. Toilets, galleys and doors are located at each end of the cabin, speeding cabin service (particularly important on short sectors) and allowing a two-class cabin if required. With good performance and low noise characteristics, the Avro RJ is ideal for small city-center airports. An optional kit extends these performance capabilities to the unpaved runways sometimes found in more remote locations.
The RJ Avroliners are improved versions of the BAe146 series, with significantly updated interiors. They are powered by Textron Lycoming (now Allied Signal Engines) LF507 turbofans, with FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine/Electronic Control, which is part of the electronic instrumentation in modern aircraft cockpits). These engines have Category 3 auto-land capability.
The high-volume, easy-access freight holds allow for additional mail and cargo.
The series enables both niche and prime routes to be served. Longer routes, up to 3,000 km, requiring less than 100 seats are regularly operated with full multi-class service. In addition, excellent airfield performance permits comfortable jet travel to downtown, mountainous, or other restrictive airfields. RJs of several airlines are used extensively to serve London's City Airport.
British Aerospace put all its regional aircraft into a new company called BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, based at Woodford, Cheshire, UK.
Swiss airline Crossair was the launch customer for the RJ85, taking delivery of its first aircraft in April 1993. A major order for the RJ85 was also placed by Northwest operator Mesaba Airlines based at Minneapolis, MN, the last of its 50 aircraft being delivered in May 2000.
Based on the success of the Avro RJ and BAe146 series, BAE Systems launched the new Avro RJX, with advanced Honeywell AS977 turbofans, for entry into service in September 2001. The plan was to manufacture a three-model series, the RJX-70, RJX-85 and RJX-100.
The AS977 engines had greater efficiency (15% less fuel-burn, 17% increased range), quieter performance and 20% less maintenance costs than the previous engines. The family offered 500 lb (227 kg) empty weight reduction, lower emission levels, and lower landing and navigation charges from a typical 2 tonne reduction in mission weight.
Druk Air of Bhutan placed an order for two RJX-85s, and British European ordered 12 RJX-100s. However, BAE Systems terminated the project in December 2001, having completed and flown only three aircraft: a prototype each of the RJX-85 and RJX-100, and a production RJX-100 for British European. The termination of the RJX program, and of the whole RJ series later in November 2003, marked the end of commercial airliner production in the United Kingdom.
Together, the Avro RJ and BAe 146 are serving with over 50 operators worldwide and fly in the colors of major airlines and their regional partners including: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Alitalia, Ansett Australia, Ansett New Zealand, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest, Qantas, Sabena, THY and United.
168 Avro RJ aircraft were delivered, and 219 BAe 146s, predecessor to the Avro RJ, were delivered.
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