The 737 BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) special purpose aircraft joined the Air Force VIP fleet in July 2002. The new BBJs and several smaller Bombardier Challenger 604 (CL- 604) aircraft replaced the current Special Purpose (SP) fleet comprising five Falcon 900A and two Boeing 707 jets.
The BBJ combines the fuselage of the 737- 700 aircraft with a strengthened aft section, and the centre-section, wing and landing gear of the 737-800 aircraft. Winglets are standard, affording 5 to 7 per cent reduction in cruise drag, resulting in 4 to 5 per cent increase in range. The BBJs are capable of being converted to a standard configuration of 36 passengers, or a VIP configuration of 30 passengers. The difference between the two configurations is the replacement of eight passenger seats in the standard configuration with two conference tables and accompanying seating.
Standard crew for either configuration is two pilots and up to four crew attendants. Air Force’s No.34 Squadron, based at RAAF Fairbairn in Canberra, will continue to operate and crew the SP fleet, with the service and maintenance now contracted to Qantas.