British Aerospace

ATP & Jetstream 61

British Aerospace (BAe) regional turboprop products were the Jetstream and the Advanced Turbo-Prop (ATP), a stretched and re-engined development of the Avro / HS748.

 

The BAe ATP, which was announced in March 1984, featured an Avro ( Hawker Siddeley) 748 fuselage stretched to provide a seating capacity of sixty-four passengers. Low levels of internal and external noise were key features of the design.

 

Power was provided by two 2,653 shp Pratt & Whitney PW126A turboprops, driving six-blade composite propellers. The prototype BAe ATP (G-MATP) made its first flight on 6th August 1986 and the type entered service with British Midland in 1988.

 

 

The BAe ATP was initially manufactured at Chadderton, and at  Woodford until October 1992, when production was transferred to BAe Regional Aircraft at the former Scottish Aviation Factory at Prestwick, and the aircraft re-launched under the designation BAe Jetstream 61.

 

The BAe Jetstream 61 offered increased power provided by two 2750 shp PW127D engines, replacing the PW126As of the BAe ATP. Passenger capacity was increased from 64 to 70 seats.

 

The original BAe ATP prototype was re-registered (G-PLXI) and modified to become the prototype BAe Jetstream 61. G-PLXI first flew in this guise on 10th May 1994.

 

 

Production of the BAe ATP / Jetstream 61 was phased out after sixty-seven aircraft had been manufactured and only four were built as BAe Jetstream 61. These were subsequently scrapped rather than entering service.

 

However as this is written, the BAe ATP continues in limited service with the main user being Swedish-based West Air Europe (also trading as West Atlantic), who operate a fleet of 15 ATP aircraft on all-cargo operations.

 

 

The development of the cargo version was undertaken by West Air, with an initial six conversions being made from 2001. These aircraft use a modified HS748 freight door. The cargo ATP can carry 30% more cargo than its predecessor with only marginally increased operating costs.

 

The first cargo conversion made its first flight on 10 July 2002.