BAe 146 Avro RJX85

Third-generation prototype with Honeywell AS977 engines. It flew on 28 April 2001 and the programme was cancelled seven months later.

Updated: August 5, 2026

Image pending

April 28, 2001

First flight

Units built

3,295 km

Range

100

Passengers

History

The RJX85 was the first — and only — of its series to fly. It kept the RJ85 airframe and changed the entire propulsion package: four dual-FADEC Honeywell AS977s promising 15% lower fuel burn, 20% lower direct engine operating costs and up to 17% more range than the LF 507. Assembly began before the programme's formal launch in March 2000 and the prototype G-ORJX lifted off from Woodford on 28 April 2001. Bhutanese carrier Drukair had signed for two aircraft. The cancellation of the programme on 27 November 2001 grounded it for good; the aircraft was parted out at Woodford and its fuselage moved to Prestwick in 2011.

Key data

Aircraft type	Regional jet airliner
Length	28.6 m
Wingspan	26.3 m
Height	8.6 m
Wing area	77.3 m²
Empty weight	24,500 kg
Range	3,295 km
Powerplant	4 × Honeywell AS977-1A
Thrust per engine	31.1 kN
Max weapons load	0 kg
Crew	2
Passengers	100

Powerplant

4 × Honeywell AS977-1A turbofans of 31.1 kN each (7,000 lbf), a two-spool design with dual FADEC. Against the Avro RJ's LF 507 it promised 5% more climb thrust, 15% lower fuel burn and 20% lower direct engine costs.

Armament

None

Cargo capacity

Typical layout of 85 seats five abreast or 100 six abreast. The airframe is identical to the RJ85 apart from nacelles and pylons.

Range conditions

3,295 km, up to 17% more than the RJ85 thanks to the AS977. It flew on 28 April 2001 and the programme was cancelled on 27 November of the same year: this was the only one completed.