The BBJ Is a Surprise Sales Winner,
Can New BBJ3 Be Very Far Behind?

While the Boeing Business Jet has tallied a substantial number of orders, it is BBJ 2 that is maybe providing the most surprise to the company.

Boeing Business Jet president Borge Boeskov predicted sales of five BBJ 2s in 2001, and planned to build four. Instead the company has sold six, and will build eight in 2001. Four of the six sold will go to clients in the Middle East, said Boeskov.

The BBJ 2, announced at the 1999 NBAA Convention, is based on the 737-800. At 129 feet 6 inches long, the BBJ 2 has 25% more interior space and double the luggage space of the BBJ.

"Middle East customers like more space in the cabin," said Boeskov. "You can put in the (auxiliary) fuel tanks and 4,000 to 5,000 pounds of luggage and still fly from the Middle East to Europe and Europe to the West Coast of the U.S."

The first BBJ 2 is expected to have its structural modification and belly tanks completed by February, with first flight at that time.

On the BBJ side, the biggest news for the program came in September when the FAA granted a Supplemental Type Certificate for the BBJ's blended winglets, designed by the Aviation Partners/Boeing joint venture.

Boeing will now be able to offer the winglets as standard equipment on the BBJ. About eight feet high, the winglets create more efficient flight characteristics in cruise, as well as during takeoff and climbout. That translates into about 300 nmi of additional range with the same fuel and payload, and-under certain circumstances-improved takeoff performance, permitting up to 4,000 pounds more payload.

The winglet-equipped BBJ was premiered earlier this year at the Farnborough International Air Show. The same aircraft is displayed statically here in New Orleans.

This is the first time that Aviation Partners' winglet technology has been certified for a large jetliner. Aviation Partners/Boeing is also developing winglet technology for application in the commercial airline retrofit market for the 737-700 and -800.

As of last year's NBAA show, Boeing acknowledged orders for 56 of the ultra-long-range business jets. Boeskov said additional orders will be announced this week in New Orleans-most likely between 18 and 24, which is the number of BBJs the company is manufacturing annually.

BBJs are delivered 'green' to DeCrane Aircraft Systems Integration (PATS) in Delaware for installation of up to nine auxiliary fuel tanks. From there the aircraft goes to one of five completion centers in the U.S. and two in Europe (Lufthansa Technik and Jet Aviation Basel) for final outfitting.

Cumulative 'green' deliveries as of mid-August stood at 46. Of those, 16 are fully completed and in service. Those 16 BBJs have generated about 4,000 flight hours to date. Sales mix is divided between high-net-worth individuals (35%), corporations (35%) and governments (30%).

The BBJ is a derivative of the Next-Generation 737-700 that combines the -700 fuselage with the strengthened wings and landing gear from the larger and heavier 737-800. Its airliner size and 807 square-foot passenger cabin differentiates the BBJ from other ultra-long-range business jets like the Gulfstream V and Bombardier Global Express.

With the addition of auxiliary fuel tanks in the belly, maximum range is 6,200 nmi. Cruising at Mach 0.82 (a ground speed of 550 mph) on its twin CFM56-7 turbofans, the BBJ can fly non-stop on routes such as Los Angeles to London or Paris, New York to Buenos Aires, or London to Johannesburg.

By Barry Rosenberg