The Jetstream 41 turboprop regional airliner, manufactured by BAE Systems, is a major development of the Jetstream 31/32 regional airliner family, which entered service in 1982. The Jetstream 31 and the Jetstream 32EP (enhanced performance) are 19-seat turboprop airliners. The stretched Jetstream 41 development was announced in 1989, the first flight took place in 1991 and the aircraft entered service in 1992.
Over 90 Jetstream 41 aircraft are operational worldwide in both 29/30 seat commuter and 14-seat corporate shuttle configurations. The Johannesburg-based airline South African Airlink operates 14 J41s serving destinations in South Africa. British Regional Airlines (BRAL) operate 13 J41 aircraft as a franchisee of British Airways and as Manx Airlines. United Express’ Atlantic Coast Airlines of the USA have a fleet of 32 J41.
The Government Services of Hong Kong have two specially modified Jetstream 41 aircraft for operations in the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore as well as serving various missions in Hong Kong.
BAE Systems offer the MACRO (Material and Component Repair and Overhaul) programme for Jetstream and ATP (Advanced Turboprop) operators, which provides customers with a fixed maintenance cost that includes comprehensive spares support for a single fixed rate per aircraft flight hour.
FLIGHT DECK
The flight deck accommodates the pilot and co-pilot. The pilots have the Honeywell Primus II digital radio communications system with dual transponders. The flight deck instrumentation includes a Honeywell SPZ-4500 fully digital automatic flight control system with a AH-600 attitude and heading reference system (AHRS), an AZ-810 air data computer . The flight data is displayed on a Honeywell EDZ-805 electronic flight information system four or five-tube display.
CABIN
The fuselage is of semi-monocoque fail-safe design constructed of aluminium alloy. The cabin can be configured in a 10 seat VIP layout, as a 16 seat executive airliner or as a 29 or 30 seat commuter aircraft.
The passenger door on the port side at the front of the cabin is fitted with integral airstairs. The cabin is air conditioned with a Normalair Garret air conditioning system. The aircraft is very quiet and internal noise is minimised because the propeller to fuselage distance has been increased from that of the J31 design. Noise reduction can be improved further by the installation of an optional BAe (formerly GEC Marconi ) active noise suppression system.
The main baggage compartment has a large plug type door and a volume of 4.81m³ (170ft³), allowing 0.24m³ (8.5ft³) of baggage capacity per passenger.
ENGINES
The two Honeywell (formerly Allied Signal) TPE331-14GR/HR turboprop engines, with a takeoff rating per engine of 1,650shp, drive the McCauley five-bladed constant speed feathering metal propellers. The engine intakes have an air-bleed anti-icing system and a two-bottle fire extinguishing system is installed in the engine nacelles. The propellers are fitted with an electrical de-icing system. The typical fuel burn, 420kg fuel /hour is between 20 and 40% lower than that of previous generation engines giving the aircraft a fully passenger loaded range of 1,430km. The J41 aircraft is fitted with a Smiths engine management system.
LANDING GEAR
The aircraft is fitted with tricycle type forward retracting landing gear with twin Dunlop wheels and tyres. The wheels are equipped with anti-skid three rotor steel brakes.