Swiss Avro Regional Jet RJ100The BAe 146 is a medium-sized commercial aircraft which was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). Production ran from 1983 until 2002, switching to an improved version known as the Avro RJ in 1992. A further-improved version, the Avro RJX – with new engines – was announced in 1997, but only three prototypes were built before production ceased in late 2001.
The BAe 146/Avro RJ 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; it has been marketed under the name Whisperjet. It sees wide usage at small city-based airports. In its primary role it serves as a regional jet, short-haul airliner or feederliner. The freight-carrying version has the designation "QT" (Quiet Trader), while a convertible version is designated "QC".
The BAe 146 comes in -100, -200 and -300 models. The equivalent Avro RJ versions are designated RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100. The BAe 146/Avro RJ is in wide use among European airlines, such as Lufthansa and SN Brussels Airlines.
The only commercial jet with 4 turbofan jet engines on a wing that is mounted on top of the fuselage, the BAe 146 also has a T-tail. Having extremely large flaps and spoilers, and a large split air brake mounted in the tail, the plane does not need reverse thrust at landing. Consequently, the four engines (supplied by the U.S. manufacturer Lycoming) do not have this facility. The plane can take off and land on extremely short runways, such as those at Mönchengladbach Airport, at Vágar Airport and at London City Airport, a converted dock
Picture added on 21 December 2006
