Avro RJ-100 Avroliner (C-FRJY)

Four engines for such a small plane. What were they thinking.

@Phil it was designed for steep take off and approach at London City and other inner city airports. The engines are Avco Lycoming ALF 502 geared turbofans, adapted from the Lycoming T55 turboshaft powerplant that powers the Chinook helicopter and are extremely quiet. As they don't have a reverse thrust capability, the plane has large airbrakes at the rear.

Thank you Colin, for your description and explanation

Thanks for the info Colin. Much appreciated.

The Pacific Southwest Airlines Company based in San DiegoCalifornia was the US launch customer for this type back in the mid 80s they operated them out of several short field airports now served by JSX Airlines. PSA was also the first to lose one not by any mechanical or crew error but by a disgruntled ex employee who shot and killed his ex boss then the pilots,the crash was PSA 1371 which crashed December 7, 1987 in Cayucos California. Four months later, PSA's merger with USair was complete and the type was phased ot in short order. The early airframes were plagued with many engine problems, almost none couild operate for more than a couple thousand hours without major shop visits.

A competitor to the BAe 146.

The great thing about having 4 engines on this plane is that the engines fail so often, you can ferry it home on 3 !