BBJ 3 Derived From 737-900ER
Boeing recently began work on the first Boeing Business Jet 3 --
a new, larger business jet based on the Boeing Next-Generation
737-900ER airliner, which entered commercial service and was
certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in April 2007.
Certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency occurred in
April 2008.
The BBJ 3 was launched in October 2006, and will enter service
in 2009 with an unidentified customer. The jet is 138 feet, 2
inches long and has 1,120 square feet of floor space.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes provides airplanes to Boeing
Business Jets, which in turn delivers them to customers in "green"
configuration (no paint or interior) and arranges for the
installation of a long-range, auxiliary fuel system. The BBJ is
then sent to a completion center of the customer's choosing for
interior completion.
The same CFM56-7 engines used on Next-Generation 737 commercial
airplanes power the BBJ. Owners benefit from the recent addition of
CFM's Tech Insertion program, which lowers fuel burn and reduces
NOx emissions to meet 2008 CAEP 6 regulations.
All BBJs are equipped with Aviation Partners Boeing Blended
Winglets. The winglets reduce community noise by 0.5 to 2.1 EPNdb
on takeoff with a slight improvement on approach; lower emissions
through lower cruise thrust; lower operating costs by reducing
block fuel burn 5.8 percent on a 5,800-nautical-mile trip
(approximately 540 US gallons); reduce engine maintenance costs and
increase the airplane's range up to 270 nautical miles with a
typical eight-passenger payload.
Boeing is currently delivering two new BBJ features to enhance
comfort and safety -- Lower Cabin Altitude, and Future Air
Navigation System. Lower Cabin Altitude allows the cabin
pressurization control system to regulate the cabin environment to
equal a maximum cabin altitude of 6,500 feet so that passengers
travel in greater comfort. Future Air Navigation System streamlines
communication between flight crews and air-traffic controllers.
FANS adds another layer of safety and efficiency to the global air
transportation system, and allows BBJ owners to take more direct
routes, shortening flight times and saving fuel.
Boeing recently announced that weight-saving, emissions-reducing
carbon brakes soon will be available both in production and
retrofit for all BBJ operators. Owners opting for carbon brakes
will realize a 700 lb. weight savings versus the current-technology
steel brakes.
Also in the works is ane Enhanced Vision System, which presents
an infrared image of the external environment on the head-up and
head-down displays.
In addition to the eight BBJ 3 orders, Boeing Business Jets has
secured a total of 177 orders for BBJs and wide-body VIP versions
of the 747, 767, 777 and 787. One hundred four BBJ and VIP
airplanes are currently in service around the world, in addition to
approximately 30 wide-body Boeing jets that are in service to
governments and heads of state, sold through other means.