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This page contains recent news items related to the BAe 146, Avro RJ, and Avro RJX regional jetliners built by BAE Systems (formerly British Aerospace), in reverse chronological order. Items older than a month are moved to the archives.
Last updated: 13 January 2012
UK Ministry of Defence shops for BAe 146QCs
The UK Ministry of Defence has published a contract notification for two BAe 146-200QCs. Citing an "urgent operational requirement", the tender sets a deadline of midnight on January 13 for offers. The deal could be worth as much a UKP6 million (US$9.3 million) for the pair -- a good price in the current market. The 146QCs would be used to support UK troops deployed in Afghanistan, complementing the Royal Air Force's C-130 Hercules fleet. Only five BAe 146QCs were built, limiting the potential suppliers: three are operated by Titan Airways (G-ZAPK msn E2148, G-ZAPN msn E2119, and G-ZAPO msn E2176) and two by TNT Airways (OO-TAY msn E2211, and OO-TAZ msn E2188). TNT had previously expressed an interest in disposing of their QCs.
[2012-01-10]
A second BAe 146 air tanker is soon to take to the skies. Minden Air is expected to roll out its BAe 146 air tanker during January, and then begin testing it, first by running water through the system while on the ground, and then in flight. Minden acquired former Jazz BAe 146-200 N446MA (msn E2111 ex C-FBAO) for conversion from BAE Systems in January 2009. The company had earlier intended to convert former Air Wisconsin BAe 146-200 N606AW (msn E2033) in cooperation with lessor Tronos but that project was eventually abandoned and the aircraft scrapped, and Minden decided to continue on its own. Minden's air tanker will have a 3,000 gallon internal retardant tank and a computer controlled constant flow door system. Minden has also acquired a second former Jazz series 200, N556MA (msn E2106 ex C-GRNZ), which it will also convert to an air tanker. [2012-01-05] |
Neptune BAe 146 air tanker wins USFS contract
Just before the new year, the US Forest Service's (USFS) announced that it had awarded a one year contract to Neptune Aviation's BAe 146-200 air tanker N146FF 'Tanker 40' (msn E2049). This fall, she operated under an interim contract, helping fight fires in Texas and California. N146FF is currently at Tronos' base at Summerside for a C-Check, having ferried there just before Christmas.
[2012-01-03]
BAe 146-200 C-GRNT (msn E2140) has been painted in the colors of new operator North Cariboo Air. After post-storage maintentance, she was ferried to Great Falls on December 9, and returned to Calgary on December 27. She will fly primarily in support of the oil sands industry, from North Cariboo's base at Calgary. [2011-12-31] |
South African BAe 146s find work
Two South Africa-based BAe 146s have recently found work in other countries. Freedom Airs' BAe 146-200 ZS-SOV (msn E2077) was leased to Air Libya on an ACMI basis. She departed Wonderboom on December 10. Meanwhile, Fair Aviation's BAe 146-200 ZS-AAY (msn E2044) left Lanseria for a contract in Benin. [Additional details on BAe 146 operations in South Africa would be extremely welcome. Please contact the editor.]
[2011-12-21]
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QinetiQ to add Avro RJs Defence contractor QinetiQ is set to acquire two Avro RJs to replace the BAC 111 and HS-748 Andover used at the Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) at Boscombe Down. The first will be former BA CityFlyer RJ100 G-BZAY (msn E3368), while an RJ70 will be added later. G-BZAY, who had been in storage at Kemble since Jun 2010, was ferried to Cranfield on December 16 to be prepared for QinetiQ. [2011-12-20] |
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Snowjet resumes operations Titan Airways subsidiary Snowjet resumed operations for the 2011-12 ski season with a flight to Sion on December 17, operated by BAe 146-200QC G-ZAPK (msn E2148). As in previous years, a BAe 146 is being used for flights to Sion, while Boeing 737s serve Chambéry and other destinations. Space on the flights is sold partly through tour operators and partly through seat-only saleas to the general public. [2010-12-19] |
With Texas' wildfires having finally under control, Neptune Aviation's BAe 146-200 air tanker N146FF 'Tanker 40' (msn E2049), moved on to California on December 8, to help with some remaining fires there. She was based at the US Forest Service's (USFS) base at Porterville, and made her first drop on a fire southeast of Hollister on December 17. Tanker 40 is operating under an interim contract, on a Call-When-Needed (CWN) basis. [2011-12-19] |
Kaltim Airlines fails to take off
Over three months after a ceremonial "first flight" Indonesia's Kaltim Airlines still hasn't launched regular services, having so far failed to obtain an AOC from the Ministry of Transport. The airline was planning to use a BAe 146-100 leased from Penas Airlines on a route from Jakarta to Balikpapan and on to Berau and Tarakan, while two Cessna 208B Grand Caravans leased from Prime Air were to operate local flights.
[2011-12-10]
Cobham extends BAe 146QT and Avro RJ100 leases
Australia's Cobham Aviation Services has extended leases on Avro RJ100 VH-NJY (msn E3331) and BAe 146-300QT VH-NJZ (msn E3126). The original leases were with BAE Systems, but the renewals are now with Falko. Cobham operates 17 BAe 146s and Avro RJs.
[2011-12-06]
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