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Avro's ABJ
The latest version of the Avro Business Jet (ABJ) is being actively
marketed for the first time. The aircraft, with an airliner-sized
cabin for the price of a midsize corporate jet, is being promoted
as a VIP transport, corporate shuttle, or business aircraft.
The ABJ is based on BAE Systems' new Avro RJX regional jet, which
is due to enter airline service next year. David West of BAE Systems
Regional Aircraft says that he would be very pleased to book an
ABJ delivery position on the Woodford, UK production line for any
prospective corporate client. The earliest "green" aircraft
would be available in the latter half of 2002. Interior completion
is offered by BAE in-house or by the client's preferred outfitter.
West told Show News that, while the ABJ is being offered
in any of the three RJX variants (-70, -85 and -100), he expects
the midsize -85, with its 58-foot 5-inch-long cabin, to be the most
popular among corporate users.
ABJ corporate cabins can be retrofitted to any existing model of
the BAe 146/RJ family. Most of the VIP, corporate and shuttle versions
of these airplanes operate in the Asia/Pacific region, the U.S.
and UK. Current operators that can be identified are Moncrief in
the U.S., Pelita Air Services in Indonesia, and the UK-based Formula
1 motor racing organization. In addition, the British Royal Air
Force operates three VIP-equipped BAe 146 CC.2s on Royal and governmental
flights.
-Mike Vines
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AS977s Boost Performance
BAE Systems reports that the Avro RJX's
new Honeywell AS977 turbofans have transformed the airplane's
performance, providing a 17% increase in maximum range over
earlier RJs.
Fuel burn has been reduced by 15%,
and operating costs bettered by as much as 20% for high utilization
operators. The RJX, and its ABJ corporate counterpart, will
be quieter than their predecessors, and will retain their
ability to operate from small airfields and rough strips.
Hot-and-high performance testing of
the prototype RJX-85 with Block 2 engines is currently underway
in Phoenix, AZ (home of Honeywell), Colorado Springs, CO,
and Toluca, Mexico City. The aircraft left the UK on August
23, and is expected to be in the Americas for eight weeks.
The first RJX made its maiden flight in April, with first
deliveries in early 2002.
-Mike Vines
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