Enter the BAe 146/Avro RJ – Airtanker of choice
A new and innovative use for the BAe 146/Avro RJ is as an aerial firefighter or Airtanker. In North America, airtankers are well-established for wildfire suppression, but many aircraft used for these missions are of Korean War vintage, such as Neptunes or early turboprops like Lockheed Electras. Age is catching up with them.
The US Forest Service (USFS) was determined to introduce the ‘next-gen’ airtanker. ‘Next-gen’ airtankers had to be better than the previous early generation vintage aircraft. They had to fly faster, be turbine- or jet-powered, and as Type 1 airtankers, have a capacity of at least 3,000 gallons of fire retardant.
Several airtanker operators contacted BAE Systems Regional Aircraft to study the practicality of the BAe 146/Avro RJ as a waterbomber, and discussions were held with the USFS. The USFS was particularly encouraged that BAE Systems was prepared to stand behind its product and that operators could count on engineering and product support as they required.
Successful flight trials were held in America using a BAe 146-100 aircraft in September 2004 and were flown by the Chief Pilot of airtanker company Minden Air Corp. with a BAE Systems test pilot. The results exceeded their expectations and were better than experienced from flying the simulator.
Flying drop-type manoeuvres the aircraft had a better angle of attack than was anticipated and approach angles were better. The aircraft was responsive and easy to fly, low speed handling was good, and there were less structural loads than had been anticipated.
Conair RJ85 Stills6-0109 first flight
Conair RJ85 Airtanker showing the bulbous wrap around external tank
Minden Air became the first US operator to select the BAe146 for this new role and acquired two Series 200 aircraft for conversion. Two other operators followed. Neptune Aviation Services of Missoula, Montana is the biggest operator with seven Series 200s in operation after conversion by Tronos PLC’s engineering facility in Canada. Air Spray of Chico, California is converting three Series 200s, with first flight due in October, and has just acquired a further three aircraft.
All of these operators/converters have different internal tank and delivery systems designs and they are certificated under Supplemental Type Certificates (STC). Operators engage with BAE Systems in varying ways. For example, Air Spray utilises BAE Systems for loads, stress and fatigue analysis and damage tolerance for the aircraft.
The Avro RJ85 is also well suited to this demanding role and has been chosen by Conair of Abbotsford, Canada for its future large airtanker needs. Conair is the world’s largest airtanker operator and converter with a fleet of over 60 fixed wing aircraft of varying sizes.
Conair RJ85 GridDrop1Day1-0013 photo by Jeff Bough Photography
They have converted five RJ85s and operate them in their own right or through their US subsidiary, Aero Flite. A further RJ85 is under conversion. They are looking to the long-term and have stated they expect the aircraft to remain in service for the next 20-25 years.
Conair RJ85 Airtanker dropping retardant
Their design features an external pannier tank wrapped around the fuselage underbelly. BAE Systems analysed the structure and aerodynamic shape of the tank and supplied a pilot to help them assess what turned out to be a remarkably benign aerodynamic effect on the aircraft.
All airtankers of whatever design have to get Interagency Airtanker Board approval to demonstrate the accuracy of their retardant delivery systems onto a narrow piece of land and with equal spread over a grid of thousands of cups which measures the volume and consistency of the pattern when it hits the ground. Only with this approval can they be eligible for airtanker contracts.
Currently 16 out of 22 large airtankers in the USA that are earmarked for six-year ‘Call When Needed’ contracts by the USFS are BAe 146/Avro RJs. In addition, two Conair RJ85s and a Neptune BAe 146 are on Exclusive Use contracts with the USFS. So the aircraft has really made its mark.
In total over 20 BAe 146/Avro RJs are now operational or under conversion for this demanding firefighting role, making it the ‘next-gen’ airtanker of choice.
The’ second life’ for the BAe 146/Avro RJ is well underwa