Boeing Business Jet

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Boeing BBJ

A Boeing 737 BBJ of the RAAF

Type Business jet
Manufacturer Boeing
Maiden flight September 4, 1998
Introduced 1996
Produced 1998 - Present
Number built 100+
Unit cost US$42-47 million as of 2004
Boeing 737-700 BBJ at Meadows Field, Bakersfield, California
Boeing 737-700 BBJ at Meadows Field, Bakersfield, California

The Boeing Business Jet series are factory conversions of Boeing airliners for the corporate jet market, initially the 737 series airliners. This aircraft usually seats between 25 and 50 passengers within a luxurious configuration. This may include a master bedroom, a washroom with shower(s), a conference/dining area, and a living area. The Boeing Business Jet is a 50/50 partnership between Boeing Commercial Airplanes and General Electric.

The latest versions of the BBJs include configurations based on the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental. Some limited details of these models and various configurations are available on the BBJ website.

Contents

[edit] General

The Boeing BBJ is primarily a 737 commercial airframe with various modifications to provide for private jet service. The BBJ1 is based on a 737-700 airframe, with elements from the 737-800 included. The BBJ2 and BBJ3 are based on the 737-800 and 737-900ER series, respectively. All models include certain non-specific changes to the airframe regardless of the BBJ series.

Changes from the normal 737 include:

  • Blended winglets for additional fuel economy (5-7% improvement)
  • Self-contained airstairs for landing at airports with limited ground support
  • Additional fuel tanks, for intercontinental range
  • ETOPS-180 certification

After the launch of the BBJ, Airbus followed suit with the launch of their Airbus ACJ derived from their A319 commercial airframe. More recently, they have also launched the larger A320 Prestige and the smaller A318 Elite. Even with these competitors, the Boeing BBJ is the largest production business jet on the market. Other competitors on the smaller end of the market include the Embraer Lineage, the Bombardier Global Express and the Gulfstream G550.

[edit] Models

[edit] Narrow-body models

A C-40B Clipper (a military BBJ1) taking off.
A C-40B Clipper (a military BBJ1) taking off.
  • BBJ or less frequently, BBJ1 is based on the 737-700, and formed the basis for the 737-700ER. This was the initial variant. In U.S. Air Force service, this is known as the C-40B Clipper.
  • BBJ2 is based on the 737-800.
  • BBJ3 is based on the 737-900ER.
  • BBJ C is a variant of the BBJ featuring the "quick change" capabilities of the 737-700C. This allows the aircraft to be used for executive duty during one flight, and to be quickly reconfigured for cargo duty for the next flight.

[edit] Wide-body models

  • 747 VIP : version of the 747-8 ordered by the Boeing Business Jet division. Currently there are 6[citation needed] orders for this aircraft. The VIP 747 is delivered by BBJ in a "green" condition, meaning there are no interior furnishings so that the owner can design it to personal preference.
  • 777 VIP : version of the 777 ordered by the Boeing Business Jet division.
  • 787 VIP : version of the 787 ordered by the Boeing Business Jet division. There are 4 orders for this aircraft. As with the 747, the VIP 787 is delivered by BBJ in a "green" condition.
Boeing 737-700/BBJ of the Abu Dhabi airline Royal Jet
Boeing 737-700/BBJ of the Abu Dhabi airline Royal Jet

[edit] Users

State VIP users

[edit] Specifications

Measurement BBJ2
Crew 2
Capacity 24-63
Length 39.47 m (126 ft 6 in)
Wingspan 35.79 m (117 ft 5 in)
Height 12.05 m (41 ft 2 in)
Weight Empty 45,730 kg (100,815 lb)
Maximum take-off weight 79,015 kg (174,200 lb)
Maximum landing weight
Maximum speed 890 km/h (481kt, Mach 0.82)
Range 10,620 km (5,735 nm)
Service Ceiling 12,496 m (41,000 ft)
Rate of climb (Unknown)
Wing loading (Unknown)
Thrust-to-weight 0.52:1
Powerplants CFM International CFM56-7 turbofans
Thrust 117.4kN (26,400 lbf)

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists