British Aerospace Jetstream 31

Summary

Description

The British Aerospace Jetstream is a small twin turboprop airliner initially developed as the Jetstream 31 from the earlier Handley Page Jetstream. Scottish Aviation took over production of the original Jetstream design from Handley Page, and when it was nationalized along with other British companies into British Aerospace (later BAE Systems) in 1978, British Aerospace decided the design was worth further development and started work on a "Mark 3" Jetstream. As with the earlier 3M version for the USAF, the new version was re-engined with newer Garrett turboprops (now Honeywell TPE331) which offered more power and longer overhaul intervals over the original Turbomeca Astazou engines. This allowed the aircraft to be offered in an 18-seat option with an offset aisle, and with a water-methanol option for the engine to allow operation at maximum load from a greater range of airfields. The result was the Jetstream 31, which first flew on 28 March 1980, being certificated in the UK on 29 June 1982. In 1985, a further engine upgrade was planned, which flew in 1988 as the Jetstream Super 31, also known as the Jetstream 32. Production continued until 1993, by which time 386 31/32s had been produced.

The British Aerospace Jetstream 31 is a twin turboprop airliner featuring a pressurized fuselage, developed from the earlier Handley Page Jetstream. British Aerospace re-engined it with newer Garrett turboprops (now Honeywell TPE331), flat rated to 1,020 shp (760 kW), offering more power and longer overhaul intervals. This allowed for an 18-seat configuration and an optional water methanol system to operate at maximum load from a greater range of airfields.

The Jetstream 31 has seen operational use across several continents, serving primarily as a regional airliner and corporate transport. Notably, the Royal Navy employed four Jetstream 31s as Jetstream T.3 radar observer trainers, though they were later repurposed for VIP transport duties. As of July 2019, a significant number of Jetstream 31s remained in active airline service, with a concentration in the Americas, followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific, and a smaller presence in Africa. Operators included Northwestern Air, Pascan Aviation, SARPA, AIS Airlines, Transmandu, and FlyPelican, each operating five or more aircraft. Despite its utility, the Jetstream 31 has been involved in a number of accidents and incidents, some of which have resulted in fatalities, often attributed to factors such as pilot error, icing conditions, or mechanical failures.

Main Variants:

• Jetstream 31 Airliner: A commuter airliner variant configured to carry 18 or 19 passengers.

• Jetstream 31 Corporate: A specialized version of the aircraft designed for executive transport, accommodating up to 12 passengers in a more luxurious setting.

• Jetstream 31EP: An enhanced performance variant, featuring improvements that provide superior operational capabilities.

• Jetstream 31EZ: A dedicated maritime patrol version.

• Jetstream 41: This is a stretched version of the Jetstream 31, offering increased capacity and range.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	Bolivia	2
	Saudi Arabia	1

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

Bolivia • United Kingdom • Saudi Arabia