MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / DUBLIN
UK company is aiming its BAe 146s at a broad range of markets, including corporate, cargo and passenger
Tronos, a UK leasing company that has built up a large portfolio of BAe 146s, is targeting a broad cross-section of markets, including corporate, cargo and waterbombing fleets.
Headed by UK aviation entrepreneur Adrian Noskwith, Tronos owns 12 146s and manages another nine aircraft on behalf of a bank - representing 10% of the entire 146 fleet. The airline recently purchased three ex-China Northwest Airlines 146-100s and is finalising a deal to acquire three similar, ex-Air China aircraft. Its portfolio also includes the larger 146-200 and -300.
Says Noskwith: "We funded Cranfield's 146 cargo conversion design, and will install a Europallet-compatible freight door on one -200 initially." He adds that the programme, which uses a smaller door on the -200 than on the -300, mounted on the forward right side of the fuselage, is ready to go and a launch customer is being sought.
Noskwith says the -100's short fuselage means it cannot accommodate a forward cargo door, and is only suited for the bulk freighter role. Tronos and BAE Systems have studied the retrofitting of a stretch to the -100's fuselage to create a -300 sized freighter, but Noskwith thinks it is unlikely to go ahead.
"The -100 makes an ideal cheap corporate aircraft, costing around $5 million with an interior," he says. "We have also spoken to two US operators about using the aircraft as a waterbomber - they would undertake the conversions and certifications." He adds that the passenger airline market is also being targeted.
Source: Flight International
