iscover
A British Midland Jetstream 41 is shown prior to delivery (note the test registration G-4-032). Notable in this shot are the five-bladed McCauley propellers and the new reprofiled cockpit windows.
Update – Jetstream J41
0 comment
Jetstream J41
In deciding to launch the J41 project several years ago the British Aerospace Jetstream division called upon the tried and true plan of upgrading and building upon the success of an existing type, in this case the successful J31 18 seat commuter. The stretched and more powerful Jetstream 41 now is on offer to every existing J31 operator with a bonus being the established rapport existing between the client and the manufacturer in addition to additional savings via commonality with the smaller aircraft. In Australia, eight J31s are in airline service and hopefully the first official order for the J41 is just weeks away. To date 22 J41s have been delivered to carriers in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States. This most recent member of the Jetstream fold to enter airline service benefits from international cooperation through risk sharing partners Hunting Aircraft, based at East Midlands Airport, and Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. A number of major vendors and suppliers also have significant commitments to the J41 programme, including Gulfstream who manufacture the wings in Oklahoma, Garrett (engines), Honeywell (avionics), Ozone (APPH), Westland, ABG Semca, Normalair Garrett, Lucas Aerospace, Smiths Industries and Slingsby. The modular production of the J41 allows major sub assemblies to be completed before join up, providing easy access for installing the electrical and hydraulic systems within a shorter build time.
J41 Development
The J41, though similar in appearance to the popular J31 and Super 31, of which some 380 have been sold globally, has emerged as a distinctly new airliner to suit the emerging trends in regional airline operations of shorter block times, practicality in operation and improved passenger appeal. The airframe of the J41 has been based upon the proven and robust characteristics of the J31, with an airframe life of 30,000 cycles and economical repair life of 60,000 flights. The primary structures are predominantly aluminium alloy with limited use of composite materials in secondary areas such as floor panels, fairings and landing gear doors. Jetstream has avoided the use of bonding methods in the fuselage structures, preferring the proven consistency of riveting, while the wing panels are bonded to stringers to provide a smooth laminar flow. One major alteration to the basic design has been in the aircraft wing section, which has been greatly modified with the wing now attached under the fuselage, removing the spar which previously dissected the aisle in the J31 series. The J41 has a revised landing gear assembly, providing twin wheel main units which retract forward into covered bays within the engine nacelles. The twin wheel nose gear retracts forward ahead of the pressure bulkhead. The four main wheels are fitted with dual Hydroaire electronic anti-skid systems, and the Dunlop brake sets are designed to achieve in excess of 2000 stops in typical operational service. The successful corrosion protection systems proven in service in the J31 series has been employed on the J41, and is supported by a comprehensive MSG-3 based inspection programme. Each component is anodised with chromic acid covered by a two coat layer of epoxy primer before joints are wet assembled with thiokol and bond compound. Fastener lines are filleted with sealant. Having benefited from extensive testing and certification procedures, the J41’s ice protection systems are markedly improved, with a revised vertical stabiliser profile on the leading edge significantly reducing the likelihood of tailplane stalling in extreme ice conditions.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
