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Boeing BBJ E-mail
Written by Phil Cater - SAAF SIG UK   
Sunday, 11 May 2003
Page 2 of 2

Plush Interior Specifications….!

Some generic photos of Boeing BBJ aircraft - Note due to security reasons, no specific interior detail photos may be published, of the SAAF's BBJ.

 Although the SA Department of Defence will not reveal the specifications for ‘security reasons’, the website of the Swiss based company which fitted the interior provides something of an insight. According to Jet Aviation, the interior was designed with a contemporary theme, "influenced by Africa". Luxury interior fittings, including a state-of-the-art office, are installed. The cockpit and cabin are equipped with the very latest technology, including conference facilities and satellite voice and fax communications. The BBJs interior has four sections, including a lounge with a convertible bed, an adjoining master office, a senior executive office and executive space, in addition to a crew rest area, storage area, full galley and lavatory. A passenger information system providing safety briefings, en-route visual information and other information is also installed. The interior fitting contractors, Jet Aviation, based in Basel, Switzerland, said that this was the second project it had undertaken for the SAAF, following an upgrade of the previous VIP transport, a Dassault Falcon 900. Jet Aviation said the company was contractually bound not to release any information on the aircraft. However, its website features photos of recently completed interiors of other BBJs, which do give an idea of how their interiors for typical run of the mill intercontinental VIP aircraft look. The Boeing BBJ website has similar pictures.  
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Typical BBJ cockpit.
 
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Typical BBJ interior.

Shaky start:

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Stormy weather..... The SAAF BBJ got off to a shaky start with the SAAF.
A three month programme of acceptance flights, crew training and familiarisation followed the delivery, down to the finer points, including air hostesses being trained in preparation and serving meals. Despite all the detailed preparation, the first Presidential flight in late January 2003 did not go well. President Mbeki was to have ‘spread his wings’ on a flight to Paris for the Ivory Coast peace conference, then fly on to London for talks with Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The jet developed technical problems during the flight. A door hinge had inexplicably been bent, and this had prevented the door from sealing properly. As soon as the aircraft started gaining height, the leak made a noise, and the pilot decided to turn back. The plane was carrying 75 tons of fuel for the long flight, but could only land with 60 tons for safety reasons. The excess had to be burnt off by flying around for three hours. President Mbeki decided to go to bed, as he foresaw it would turn into a long night. The problem was soon sorted out on the ground, and the aircraft was refuelled. A ground test of the door's seal then apparently caused fuel to start leaking from wing tanks, due to failure of an auto shut off valve. Calls to Boeing did not resolve the problem, as the extra fuel capacity of this particular jet was an unusual BBJ feature. President Mbeki slept through while the problems were finally rectified, and as a result of the delays, President Chirac was obliged to make apologies for Mbeki’s late arrival at the Paris conference. Such are the risks of fancy new technology!

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Squadrons: 21 Sqdn.

Links:

SA New Coat of Arms.  

Official website of the President of South Africa. 


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