The third BAE Systems Avro RJX will join the flight test programme next month, performing functional flying. The four Honeywell AS977 engines have recently been installed. The aircraft - an RJX-100 - will be the first aircraft for launch customer British European, which will put 12 RJX-100s on firm order next year after certification in April, says Nick Godwin, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft vice president marketing.
Since its first flight in April, the RJX-85 involved in the flight test programme has performed 21 flights over 48h in testing in the USA. The aircraft was grounded following the terrorist attacks on 11 September, since when it has been undergoing tests, performing 21 ground runs.
The aircraft is delivering "at least what we expected" in hot and high conditions, says Godwin. The RJX-100, which joined the flight test programme on 23 September, had performed 12 flights in 22h of testing by 11 October.
Source: Flight International
