Civil AircraftEnvironment & Mapping

BAe 146 Atmospheric Research Aircraft

British Aerospace 146 G-LUXE (c/n E3001) has had quite an eventful 40-year existence. The 1981-built four-engine regional jet’s first incarnation was as G-SSSH (c/n E1001), which was the prototype of the maiden 146-100 variant.

After being withdrawn from use in August 1986, the airframe was extended by around 5m (16ft) and to be used as the prototype for the stretched 146-300 variant in April the following year. This is when it received its latest registration and serial number.

The quadjet was configured as a demonstrator for British Aerospace until 2004. Instead of being retired, the then 23-year-old example was awarded a new lease of life as a flying laboratory for use by the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM).

Neil White

Former team leader on the Nimrod MR2. Flew fisheries protection for the MMO and Marine Scotland. Failed attempt with an aviation start-up. Flight dispatcher at Exeter Airport.

Neil White

One thought on “BAe 146 Atmospheric Research Aircraft

  • Reference: KeyAero 5th December 2021

    KeyAero visits the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements at Cranfield Airport to learn more about the organisation’s unique BAe 146

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