The UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has bought from BAE Systems BAe 146-301ARA G-LUXE (msn E3001), which is operated for the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurement (FAAM). Since the beginning of FAAM operations in 2004, G-LUXE has been owned by BAE Systems, which also arranged for operations and maintenance. Although the arrangement was to have continued until January 2015, BAE Systems indicated that it no longer wished to own the aircraft. NERC was able to acquire G-LUXE thanks to a special capital allocation of UKP9.5 million from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS). The change of ownership took place on 31 March. Although BAE Systems no longer owns the 146ARA, it continues to support it through a 5-year contract with NERC. Operations and maintenance continue to be sub-contracted to Directflight and Avalon, as before.
Recent news items on FAAM:
- FAAM BAe 146ARA test-flies optical ice detection probe (2017-07-04)
- FAAM BAe 146ARA flies in formation … with a ship (2016-09-15)
- FAAM BAe 146ARA operator Directflight changes name (2016-05-29)
- FAAM BAe 146 to operate in the arctic (2013-03-19)
- FAAM BAe 146ARA studies emissions from forest fires (2011-07-29)