Hatfield, Hertfordshire….BAE Systems Regional Aircraft announced today that it signed a contract confirming Aerostar of Bacau in Romania as the prime contractor for the re-launched BAe 146QT (Quiet Trader) freighter conversion programme.

In addition, Aerostar will be sub-contracting major work packages to other partners in the Romanian aerospace industry, notably Avione Craiova S.A.

BAE Systems first announced the go-ahead for the re-launched BAe 146QT on January 30 after assessing up to eight engineering centres/conversion houses for both kit manufacture and aircraft conversions.

Paul Stirling, Senior Vice President Asset Management for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft said today: “ We are delighted to confirm Aerostar as the chosen prime contractor on this exciting venture. One of the keys to a successful programme is a competitive conversion price allied to good engineering quality and Aerostar and its Romanian sub-contractors scored decisively on both counts. Our favourable experience of working with a Romanian company on the ATP Freighter programme was also a factor.”

Responding, Mr Grigore Filip, President and Director General of Aerostar said: “ We are delighted to sign this agreement and to have been nominated by BAE Systems Regional Aircraft as prime contractor for the BAe 146QT conversion programme. We are confident that the specialist skills that we possess, together with those of our Romanian subcontractors, will ensure the success of the re-launched BAe 146QT programme jointly with BAE Systems.”

Two of Regional Aircraft’s leasing portfolio BAe 146-200s (msn E2099 and E2103) will be assigned to the programme initially for conversion, and ferry of the first aircraft to Bacau in northern Romania took place in early March.

Aerostar will be responsible for maintenance, large freight door assembly and E-Class cargo interior kit manufacture and installation.

Avione Craiova will be responsible for manufacture of the large upward –opening freight door and delivery under sub-contract to Aerostar.

The first conversion is expected to be available in early to mid-2008 and will be marketed by the Asset Management team of Regional Aircraft who can offer a complete solution to freight operators covering both a competitive acquisition cost and comprehensive support packages.

The BAe 146 is fully capable of meeting Stage 4 noise limits so a long life as a freighter is assured. The programme is going to be suitable for older BAe 146 aircraft where residual values have reached a level to support the economics of conversion.

Regional Aircraft believes there will be a good demand for a cost-effective 10-12 tonne freighter over the coming years. There is a large gap in the freighter market between the 8 tonnes of the larger turboprop freighters and the 15- tonnes of the Boeing 737 Classic conversions.

Some 30 BAe 146QT and QC (Quick Change) variants were converted as new-build aircraft off the production line in the mid-late 1980s under a programme with Pemco World Air Services of Dothan Alabama. Pemco built and installed the Regional Aircraft-designed large freight door, together with the roller floor and associated cargo-handling equipment.

All of these aircraft remain in service, the biggest operators being TNT Express, which uses a large fleet on an intensive overnight network across Europe, and Australian air Express, which uses three aircraft on overnight operations linking key centres in eastern and southern Australia. Other operators include Titan Airways of the UK and West Air Sweden.

Paul Stirling continued: “ Our confidence in the market potential of the BAe 146QT is borne out by the fact that all of the original BAe 146QTs continue in service today and there has been a steady increase in enquiries from freight operators. We believe that we can attract new customers to the aircraft and also offer a follow-on option to our ATP Freighter customer base.”

The BAe 146QT conversion can be available across both the Series 200 and Series 300 variants. The aircraft has an E-class interior and a large upward opening freight door in the rear section of the fuselage capable of carrying pallets and containers. The door measures 3.32 m (131 inches) wide by 1.93 metres (76 inches) high and is operated by two hydraulic jacks and capable of functioning in wind speeds up to 40 knots.

The design also consists of a freight handling system, 9G forward restraint and load master seat.

The production build BAe 146-200QT has a maximum bulk payload of 11,670kg (25,730lbs) or a maximum containerised payload of 10,630kg (23,435lbs) based on carrying 6.5 108 x 88 inch containers. The larger Series 300QT has a maximum bulk payload of 13,265kg (29,245 lbs) or a maximum containerised payload of 12,065kg (26,600 lbs) based on carrying 7.5 108 by 88 inch containers.

Note to Editors

Aerostar is one of the most successful aerospace companies in Romania. It is an EASA Part 145 authorised organisation for maintenance of commercial aircraft and provides line and base MRO services for a range of aircraft types. It is also involved in the production of aerostructures and aircraft sub-assemblies. Aerostar also has responsibility for maintenance, overhaul and upgrades for military jet fighters, notably the MiG-21 Lancer, for the Romanian Air Force and for export customers. The company has also built the Yak-52 family of piston aerobatic trainer aircraft.

Avione Craiova is another well-established Romanian aerospace company and is responsible for the design, development and production of the IAR-99 Soim advanced jet trainer for the Romanian Air Force. It also is a specialist manufacturer of commercial aircraft components and sub-assemblies for a number of companies.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded £12 billion ($22 billion), excluding the group’s former interest in Airbus.

For further information contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0)1582 488336 
Fax: +44 (0)1582 488447  

ddaviddorman@aol.com
www.regional-services.com

Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (1252) 384695 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com