Why Do Avro RJs Still Fly in Canada?

The BAe 146/Avro RJ "Whisperjet" is easily one of the most unique looking airliners out there. However, they're slowly being retired from airlines around the world.

So, why do a dozen of these airplanes still fly in Canada?

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[1] BAe 146 History

[2] Avro RJX Program

[3] Canadian Civil Aircraft Register

[4] Tronosjet Maintenance

[5] North Cariboo Air RJ100

[6] Conair Aerial Firefighting RJ85

[7] Air Spray BAe 146:

[8] BAE Systems RJ85 Air Tanker Brochure

[9] Operating in the Canadian Arctic

[10] Summit Air Launches RJ85 program

[11] BAE Systems 146/RJ Remote Runway Operations

[12] Summit Air Adds RJ100s

[13] Summit Air RJ85 brochure

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© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2021

This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.

[hewhohasnoidentity]

I've never flown on the 146 but something about a 4 engine regional jet is just fascinating to me.

[Sacto]

The need to operate on gravel strips in often appalling winter weather is why the BAe 146/Avro RJ has found a major niche in Canada. In fact, a number of retired planes may end up in Canadian service with airlines servicing First Nation communities in northern Canada.

[danieleregoli]

I've always loved the 146/RJ. Cute but also comfortable, safe and stable. Beautiful little thing.

[diggr]

I have twenty years experience as an AME on this type in Canada. These days it's all Q4's and 737's for me but the 146/RJ is still my favorite.

[robk]

I've flown on the BAe 146 a few times. Always a comfortable flight, and with the high mounted wings a great view from every seat.

[forrestmiller]

I'm fortunate to have flown both the 737-200 for Firstair and the Avro RJ for Summit into the gravel strips in northern Canada. I can say that the little RJ is very capable as a short field aircraft into these gravel strips and would frequently be landing at max weight. Take off was the real delight with the RJ though, with those four engines singing their tune you'd be airborne in just around 3000' at max weight, or very close to it using flap 33. It's a real pilots airplane... a true delight to hand fly and maneuver on the approach or departure.
If both the 737 and RJ were sitting on the ramp and I could fly either one....I'd walk over to the RJ.

[bimble]

I've flown on these a couple of times. The touchdown is so gentle I didn't even know we were on the ground. Just a lovely plane to fly on.

[gcorriveau]

In the 1980s I was working at Canadair/Bombardier "Regional Jet" developing pilot training programs for their new aircraft. The Bombardier RJ was in a race to establish the concept of a small jet to compete against turbo-prop aircraft for short haul flights. The BAE146/AvroRJ was another contender. Avro 'tweaked' Bombardier by sponsoring a large billboard in Montreal, right outside the Bombardier RJ HQ building. It read "The Regional Jet - AvroRJ" with a huge photo of their aircraft. It always made me smile as I wondered about the Bombardier executives who somehow overlooked officially registering / protecting that iconic name: Regional Jet. At any rate, the Bombardier line soon established itself as "The" defacto Regional Jet, and went on to a very successful run with several variants developed later on. Thanks for this update on "where the AvroRJ' is now. Cheers and thanks!

[piskac]

I flew on the 146 from Denver CO to Aspen C0. Totally amazing plane incredibly powerful. At altitude over Denver the pilot announced departure opening up the throttles and the plane launched again into the air. We dived into Aspen again really incredible.

[Roastbeef]

In the early 80's I was attending an airshow at Barton Areodrome near Manchester. UK.
This is a grass field strip only suitable for light aircraft.
The late cancellation of one of the display exhibits had created a lull in proceedings, when unexpectedly the loudspeakers announced that they had managed to get permissions for a visit by a prototype of this aircraft that was flying "on test" nearby.
A few minutes later, the aircraft arrived overhead and performed a number of passes.
Whisper quite and a beautiful sight... then as now.
Was this the aircraft's first "public debut"..I don't know, maybe not, but the event has stayed in my mind ever since.

[brianbarnes]

I noticed there were quite a few 146/RJ's parked in storage at Kemble / Cotswold Airport/UK. Slowly these have been vanishing - and I don't think it's for scrapping in the boneyard! Here's hoping they are finding new homes and in service in the world somewhere - luv'em!! For history lovers, the 146 started off as a design study at Hatfield, UK by De Havilland Aircraft, who were then merged with Hawker Siddeley, later absorbed by BAC before name change to must have been a good design to survive all that upheaval. Also, while under HS, some of the design work was passed to another company within the HS group - Gloster Aircraft based in Hucclecote, Gloucestershire. One of my old workmates temporarily transferred to Hatfield to do design work on the transport doors, many, many years ago now - happy days!!

[GeorgeCMcRae]

Air Cal operated BAE 146's in the 1980's and they were a joy to fly. I regularly shuttled between Oakland and Burbank on weekends on them . Very sad the merger with American ended them.

[allansbullet]

Absolute magic little aircraft!! Flew on one several times here in New Zealand - loved it!! Incredibly quiet inside and outside! Only thing that killed it here in NZ was that it had 4 engines, which required far more maintenance than 2. But as for shortfield - well, it was incredible!! Only thing against it was the fuel consumption - a little heavy. A beautiful airplane!!

[neilpickup]

I flew on them a few times between Manchester (UK) and Zurich. Fortunately Swiss chose a 3+2 seating arrangement, so a very comfortable experience. I loved them and was sorry to see them go.

[andychatton]

My all-time favorite design! Was sad to see them depart from Burbank, CA for the final time.

[CorkeryCoop]

I flew on a lot of 146/RJs in the nineties on business travel to smaller Canadian cities. Also had a few flights with Swiss in Europe. It was by far my favourite aircraft.

[dcs]

I used the 146/RJ countless times: Dan-Air, Air UK, Crossair, Sabena (all now defunct) and BA cityflier. The last left a bad taste: having had to change my reservation following a bereavement, I was made to show a death certificate at check-in. The good news was that the consequent delay meant I got bumped up to Business Class: just as well, since the six-abreast layout was far too cramped with all seats occupied. In 3+2, an excellent aeroplane: I used to try for a seat just behind the wing so I could watch - and listen to - the complex flaps deploying and retracting.

[dk]

Worked for years as an engineer on 146/RJ85/100. Ultra comfortable to fly, easy to maintain, very straightforward aircraft. 4:44 that's former Bee-line OO-DJY

[johnwillatt]

The 146 was called the plane the Unions saved ! At one stage during its development Hawker Sidderly were going to end the project but the Unions at the plant were convinced that it was a winner and secured Government support for the project and as the video shows it was a success and its low noise levels helped the London City Airport get building approval.

[stephenlight]

Been flying domestic US and internationally for 40 years. This was always my favorite. Wish there were more like it. I understand the expense of a 4 engine configuration, but this sure is a sweet plane.