Ok., I can see now why they did it. What strikes me, though, is that you have to MANUALLY bridge DC, i.e. get out, open compartment, plug in, store back, etc.
I am just wondering, taking into account scarce equipment at many small sub-Saharan airfields, i.e. no external ground power avbl. etc. ...
BTW, here is some more information regarding the aircraft in question:
"Botswana's national airline, Air Botswana, acquired its first BAe 146, series 100 A2-ABD msn E1101, in 1989, for use on services to South Africa and other regional destinations. Plan called for the 146 to be used on joint services with other airlines in the region. A second series 100, A2-ABF msn E1160, was acquired in 1991. Cooperation efforts with other regional airlines fell short of expectations, however, and the high debt load the airline had taken on to pay for the 146 caused it significant financial problem. ... One 146 was returned to BAe in 1994, taking advantage of a buy-back clause in the contract. The other, A2-ABD, was leased out. In 2000, A2-ABD was flown to Europe for overhaul and potential sale. After a planned long-term lease to Italian start-up Goldwing Airlines fell through, however, she returned to Gaborone in August 2001 and was placed in storage. Rather than keeping the aircraft idle, however, the airline decided to return her to service. She entered service on April 1, 2002, on the route from Johannesburg to Maun..." (Source:
http://www.smiliner.com/operators/a2.shtml ).
Hopper