BAe 146 / Avro RJ
British Aerospace / Avro International · United Kingdom · first flew 1981 · airliner
The BAe 146 and its successor the Avro RJ are British high-wing four-engine regional jets notable for being exceptionally quiet, making them ideal for noise-sensitive airports. The combination of a high wing with four small turbofans is unique among jet airliners.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 26.16 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four underwing turbofans on a high-wing regional jet — unique configuration
- T-tail with prominent fin
- Very quiet Avco Lycoming ALF 502 / LF 507 engines
Unmistakable among regional jets for its four small underwing engines on a high wing with anhedral, T-tail, and compact tubby fuselage. No other airliner in service combines a high wing with four engines.
Specifications
- The BAe 146 / Avro RJ has a length of 26.16 m (86 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 26.34 m (86 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 767 km/h (477 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1981 after a prolonged development dating back to the Hawker Siddeley HS.146 project of the 1970s, the BAe 146 entered service with Dan-Air in 1983. Avro International revived and refined the type as the Avro RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100 in the early 1990s.
Variants
The BAe 146 came in -100 (short), -200 (standard), and -300 (stretched) variants; the Avro RJ family (RJ70/85/100) offered updated avionics and engines. A military transport version, the C-Mk.1, served the RAF as the BAe 146 CC Mk 2.
Where you'll see it
Widely operated by UK and European regional airlines; the RAF operated the CC Mk 2 as a VIP transport for the Royal Family and government, and the E-Mk.3 for electronic warfare training. Still in commercial service with operators including Air Nostrum.
Related aircraft
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