BBJ VIP Fleet Review

[Jaryd stock]

003 is back in Europe

[Bob C]

Thanks Jaryd - do you know how long its been there and where exactly ?

Cheers

Bob

[Brian Noldt]

Originally Posted by Stuart Trevena

Hi All,

A little disappointed they didn't decide to buy a B777-200LR or 300ER BBJ, but it does make sense to keep the RAAF fleet the same, as it does cut down on operational costs.

Just came across this from the Nikkei Asian Review.

August 12, 2014 5:14 pm JST
Boeing 777 picked as new "Japanese Air Force One"
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan picked the Boeing 777 aircraft on Tuesday as its new government aircraft for overseas trips by the prime minister and members of the imperial family.

A pair of Boeing 777-300ERs -- which will start operational use in the fiscal year from April 2019, replacing the two B-747 aircraft currently in use -- will be maintained by All Nippon Airways Co., the government said.

ANA outbid rival Japan Airlines Co. for the right to maintain the aircraft, which are known as "Japanese Air Force One."

The selection of the B-777 aircraft, which will be operated by the Air Self-Defense Force, was finalized at a meeting of a government panel on Tuesday.

The B-777s were chosen from aircraft that met a number of conditions set by the government, including the ability to fly nonstop to the East Coast of the United States, and being large enough for VIPs and their entourage as well as communications equipment to handle sensitive information.

Brian

[Jaryd stock]

Interesting they have gone twin engine replacement, with USAF VC-25 replacement that's due to enter service around 2020/21 timeframe the DoD have said that the replacement has to have four engines so the only new build aircraft would be the 747-8 or A380 and since hell would freeze over before POTUS would travel in a European Manufactories aircraft the 747-8 will be the next POTUS transport with three airframes due to be ordered soon if not already. Wether it will have the stretched upper deck like the Intercontinental or shorter deck like freighter remains to be seen.
The VC-25's landing gear is wearing out quickly due to the way they are operated whilst landing and due to the state of the worlds runways especially in the Middle East, that's why you have a C-32 backing up AF1 instead of the two VC-25's traveling together now as USAF are saving on wear and tear on both airframes, so we might see 747-8 sooner rather than later.

[Joseph Saragozza.]

Cheers for clearing that up John, I have misread the first statement.

I still believe it is going to be a logistical nightmare. What happens when the government needs the aircraft and the defence need it for refuelling duties at the same time?
And when it comes time for maintenance or the aircraft goes U/S they only have one aircraft fitted with a VIP configuration.

Personally I just think they should just have 2 dedicated VIP aircraft and dedicated tankers.

On a side note, not that it's a big deal, but it’s going to be one ugly grey prime ministerial jet.

[Bob C]

Hi Joseph

I hope, and expect, that any new "heavies" for the VIP fleet will be painted in the VIP colour scheme.

Cheers

Bob

[Joseph Saragozza.]

Sorry to bring this thread back up.
I was wondering if there has been any word on the replacement of the two BBJ's?
As far as I'm aware I thought the lease was to expire sometime this year.

[Jaryd stock]

It's been extended to 2017.