Compare BAe 146 and Avro RJ engines, cockpits, variants and handling, with clear RJ70, RJ85 and RJ100 mappings plus identification tips.
The Avro RJ is a modernised development of the BAe 146, not a separate clean-sheet aircraft. It retains the same basic high-wing, T-tail, four-engine airframe, but adds newer LF 507 engines with FADEC, a more digital flight deck, revised systems and cabin improvements. RJ70, RJ85 and RJ100 broadly match the 146-100, -200 and -300.
BAe 146 vs Avro RJ at a glance
For Aviation & Real-World Flying reference, the main differences are the engine and cockpit generations rather than the aircraft's basic shape or purpose.
| Area | BAe 146 | Avro RJ |
|---|---|---|
| Development | Original production family introduced during the 1980s | Improved follow-on series introduced during the 1990s |
| Engines | Four Lycoming ALF 502 turbofans | Four improved LF 507 turbofans with FADEC |
| Flight deck | Predominantly conventional analogue instrumentation, depending on aircraft and retrofit history | Updated avionics with EFIS displays and FADEC-related controls |
| Airframe | High wing, T-tail and four underwing engines | Retains the same fundamental configuration with detail refinements |
| Passenger variants | 146-100, 146-200 and 146-300 | RJ70, RJ85 and RJ100 |
| Cabin | Original interior generation, although many were refurbished | Updated production interior and systems |
Both families use the distinctive split tail airbrake and lack conventional thrust reversers. They were designed for regional operations, including airports where runway length, noise and approach constraints matter. Steep-approach operation still depends on the particular aircraft configuration, certification and operator approval; it is not an automatic entitlement attached to every BAe 146 or Avro RJ.
The Avro name can make the RJ sound unrelated, but it remained part of the British Aerospace design lineage. Nor does “Regional Jet” mean the BAe 146 was not a jet: the RJ title was branding for the upgraded generation.
Which BAe 146 and Avro RJ variants correspond?
The three principal passenger variants correspond by fuselage size, although their weights, engines, avionics and approved performance are not identical.
| BAe 146 variant | Avro RJ counterpart | Relative size |
|---|---|---|
| BAe 146-100 | Avro RJ70 | Shortest |
| BAe 146-200 | Avro RJ85 | Middle |
| BAe 146-300 | Avro RJ100 | Longest |
A common mistake is to match the numbers literally. The RJ100 corresponds to the longer 146-300, not the 146-100; the RJ85 corresponds to the 146-200. A combined short-fuselage example for FSX demonstrates why simulator files sometimes place both family names in one listing.
These are counterpart variants, not interchangeable specifications. Seating depends heavily on cabin layout, while range and runway performance depend on weight option, engine, conditions and operating rules. An RJ70 is not automatically larger or more capable than every BAe 146 simply because it belongs to the later generation.
The Avro RJX was a separate, short-lived further-development programme with another engine generation. It should not be treated as an alternative name for the standard RJ70, RJ85 or RJ100.
Do the BAe 146 and Avro RJ fly differently?
Their fundamental handling is similar, but the Avro RJ's engine controls, displays and procedures create a noticeably different flight-deck workload.
FADEC on the LF 507 controls more of the engine operation and changes how thrust setting, starting and abnormal indications are handled. The BAe 146's earlier engine installation demands a more traditional scan and different crew actions. Avro RJ EFIS displays also alter instrument scanning compared with a largely analogue 146 cockpit.
The shared wing, control arrangement and four-engine configuration produce strong family resemblance in normal handling. That does not make performance data transferable. Crews and simmers must use the correct speeds, limitations, flap schedules and checklists for the exact model rather than borrowing numbers from another member of the family.
Neither type normally relies on reverse thrust after landing. Deceleration uses aerodynamic drag, lift-dump devices and wheel braking according to the applicable procedure. Confusing the opening tail airbrake with a thrust-reverser system is a frequent identification error.
How can you tell a BAe 146 from an Avro RJ?
The cockpit and recorded model designation are more reliable than the external silhouette.
- Check the flight deck: a more electronic instrument presentation and FADEC-related engine controls point towards an Avro RJ, while an older analogue layout suggests a BAe 146.
- Do not rely on fuselage length: length distinguishes the -100/RJ70, -200/RJ85 and -300/RJ100 size groups, but not the generation within each pair.
- Treat paintwork cautiously: airline titles, Avro badges and BAe markings can disappear during repainting or preservation.
- Use nacelle details only as supporting evidence: engine and exhaust differences can help, but viewing angle, modifications and simulator modelling often obscure them.
Retrofits complicate cockpit identification because individual BAe 146 aircraft may receive newer navigation equipment or displays. Registration records, the aircraft data plate or reliable operator documentation settle the question when appearance does not.
Which version should you choose in a flight simulator?
Choose the BAe 146 for its earlier analogue workflow and the Avro RJ for later EFIS and FADEC operation.
- Match the operating era: the BAe 146 suits original 1980s and early-1990s fleets, while the RJ represents the upgraded generation introduced during the 1990s. Both remained in service beyond their introduction periods, so check the individual operator.
- Match the route to the variant: select the short RJ70 or 146-100, middle RJ85 or 146-200, or long RJ100 or 146-300 rather than choosing by family name alone. A flyable FS2004 RJ85 example shows the middle-length Avro configuration.
- Check systems depth: an Avro livery applied to a BAe 146 model does not add FADEC, EFIS logic or RJ performance. The underlying cockpit and flight model matter more than the name painted on the fuselage.
- Use the supplied documentation: add-ons vary in what they simulate, particularly engine management, electrical systems, lift dump and the tail airbrake. Our coverage of a detailed BAe 146 project for X-Plane 12 illustrates why the represented generation and systems are more significant than exterior resemblance.
The practical rule is simple: the BAe 146 and Avro RJ share an airframe family, while the name and variant identify different generations of engines, avionics and cockpit operation.