Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) Convertible, USA

Boeing has launched its Boeing business jet (BBJ) convertible. The company announced that the aircraft can be configured from all-passenger to all-cargo configuration in less than eight hours. The BBJ convertible offers needful flexibility to customers including governments, corporations and private individuals.

The aircraft can transport VIPs, staff or troops from one place to another, can deliver disaster-relief supplies, and can be configured for medical evacuation. According to the company's sources the BBJ convertible can transport tools, parts and machinery; race cars or race horses; or equipment for touring bands and musicians.

Boeing finalised an agreement with Greenpoint Technologies to provide 747-8 VIP owners and their chosen completion centres with a kit that adds 75m² of space to the aircraft's crown. Above the main cabin ceilings is installed the overhead Space Utilization or OSU kit. Three artistically engineered OSU designs will be offered by Greenpoint.

Boeing Business Jet family

Boeing's business jets family includes BBJ, BBJ2, BBJ3 and BBJ convertible. The BBJ is a Next-Generation 737-700 derivative. The Next-Generation 737-800 and 737-900ER (Extended Range) are the basis for the BBJ2 and BBJ3 respectively.

BBJs combine features of the 737-700 (fuselage which is 110ft4in, 33.6m) and 737-800 (wings and landing gear). They are designed for corporate and VIP applications.

Boeing's business jets have maximum range capability of 6,210 nautical miles (11,501km) while requiring less than 6,000ft (1,829m) of runway.

Performance improvements and configuration

The BBJ convertible presents the addition of a 140in-wide (3.56m) and 96.5inch-high (2.45m) cargo door located on the left side of the aircraft next to the forward entry door. The aircraft has the ability to carry more than 16.6t of revenue cargo. It has passenger seating for 126 people in a two-class or 149 in a single-class configuration.

All BBJs, including the BBJ convertible, are equipped with Aviation Partners' blended winglets. The winglets create more efficient flight characteristics for the airplane, translating into approximately 270 nautical miles (500km) of additional range with the same fuel and payload.

The lighter weight carbon brakes, available on new BBJs, save up to 700lb (320kg). The reduced weight of the BBJ convertible contributes to a reduction in associated fuel burn and CO2 emissions.

BBJ performance improvements are planned for 2011. Boeing targets a 2% reduction in fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements. Structural improvements will reduce drag on the aircraft, reducing fuel use by about 1%.

Boeing's engine partner, CFM, is contributing a further 1% in fuel savings through its CFM56-7B Evolution engine. The hardware changes will improve airflow to make the engine run at cooler temperatures. Depending on an engine's thrust rating, the Evolution engine will provide up to 4% lower maintenance costs. The improvements are for all Next-Generation 737 and BBJ models.

Joint venture

In July 1996 the Boeing Company and the General Electric Company (GE) formed the Boeing Business Jets joint venture. This was to meet the market demand for a larger, more capable business aircraft that can fly more than 6,000 nautical miles (11,110km).

In this joint venture Boeing is concerned with day-to-day operations, manufactures the aircraft and is responsible for sales and marketing activities. GE provides the aircraft's engines. Customer support and decisions affecting pricing and market applications is taken care by coordinated efforts.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes provides aircraft to Boeing Business Jets, which delivers them to customers in "green" configuration (no paint or interior) and arranges for the installation of a long-range, auxiliary fuel system at the Decrane Aircraft Systems Integration Group (PATS) Delaware facility. Aircraft owners work directly with designers and completion centres to install a custom interior.