British Aerospace plans to devote two or three of its Avro RJ yearly production total to the business jet market in a quality-over-quantity approach, company executives said at the NBAA Convention last week.

The four-engine jet fills a specific niche in business aviation due to its ability to access runways and airports currently off limits to other business aircraft. The Avro RJ can land at runways of 3,200-3,300 feet while meeting Stage 3 noise requirements.

In full seating configuration up to 60 passengers can be accommodated. With additional fuel tanks, the Avro Business Jet will have a range of 3,100 nm.

About 20 customers have already expressed interest in a business version of the Avro RJ, says British Aerospace Regional Aircraft EVP Alan Stiley. Base price for the model is $26 million, or $30 million for a "nicely equipped" version, Stiley said.

British Aerospace at the Farnborough Air Show in September announced plans to upgrade the Avro RJ with more powerful engines. Stiley says a business jet with this feature will be marketed as well, and with the new engine the Avro Business Jet will have 15% better range than existing versions.

The new engine announcement for the Avro RJX is expected next month. The company is choosing between the AlliedSignal AS907 and the Pratt & Whitney PW308.