682ft AMSL
6th Aug 2003, 19:03
A nice machine!!
http://www.multiflight.co.uk/charter/charterbbj.html
Multiflight took delivery of the first BBJ2 available for charter in the world. The aircraft arrived in Leeds on 1st July from completion at Lufthansa Technik, Hamburg. Since then their long range, luxury, 19 seats, Boeing BBJ2 has flown half way around the world as part of its UK, CAA Public Transport certification program. The wingleted aircraft, which is based on the long-body Boeing 737-800 airliner, is the first to be registered in the UK and will be the world’s first BBJ2 available for charter. The BBJ will be operated in conjunction with Multiflight’s existing Falcon 900.
The Aircraft has a range of around 5,400 miles and just two days after its arrival at its home base (Leeds/Bradford airport), it flew non-stop from Leeds to San Francisco (Oakland airport), California and then on to Tahiti. The only fuel stop on the return flight was made at Calgary in Canada and total flight time for the round trip was around 37 hours. “The flights were so comfortable, we didn’t want to get off”, joked David Hood O.B.E., Chairman of Multiflight who added, “The cabin is very quiet and adds to the clarity of the aircraft’s cutting edge in-flight entertainment systems.” Multiflight’s chief pilot, Captain Rick Bardsley and Captain Ralph Tapsfield (based at Leeds) who closely monitored aircraft engine vibration from the flight-deck agreed that the manufacturers had beaten their own specifications, which will give VVIP clients the ultimate stress-free ride.
The aircraft is fitted with two external cameras, one in the tail fin and one under the belly of the aircraft, which can be operated through 360 degrees and vertically, as well having full zoom capability. “This facility is great fun and clients will enjoy operating them as much as the multi-station computer delivered on-board entertainment systems,” said Hood. This entertainment system is unique in that the pictures are delivered round the cabin using Video over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This ensures that the signal is immune to 440Hz interference, which is usually the curse of large AC powered aircraft. The Audio is delivered by an MP3 system directly to the seats. At the rear of the Aircraft is the bedroom with a large ensuite bathroom complete with shower.
The current certification flights are part of Multiflight’s plan to operate the aircraft under Executive Jet Charter’s Air Operators Certificate (AOC) and subject to CAA approval this should be achieved by mid September. The company is hoping for 180 minute ETOPS approval by the authorities and intends to achieve 700 flight hours annually both on charter and intra-company business.
According to Steve Borrowdale, Multiflight’s Managing Director, “Industry response to the BBJ2 has been very positive so far and Multiflight Handling staff are looking forward to operating the aircraft in conjunction with Executive Jet Charter.”
http://www.multiflight.co.uk/charter/charterbbj.html
Multiflight took delivery of the first BBJ2 available for charter in the world. The aircraft arrived in Leeds on 1st July from completion at Lufthansa Technik, Hamburg. Since then their long range, luxury, 19 seats, Boeing BBJ2 has flown half way around the world as part of its UK, CAA Public Transport certification program. The wingleted aircraft, which is based on the long-body Boeing 737-800 airliner, is the first to be registered in the UK and will be the world’s first BBJ2 available for charter. The BBJ will be operated in conjunction with Multiflight’s existing Falcon 900.
The Aircraft has a range of around 5,400 miles and just two days after its arrival at its home base (Leeds/Bradford airport), it flew non-stop from Leeds to San Francisco (Oakland airport), California and then on to Tahiti. The only fuel stop on the return flight was made at Calgary in Canada and total flight time for the round trip was around 37 hours. “The flights were so comfortable, we didn’t want to get off”, joked David Hood O.B.E., Chairman of Multiflight who added, “The cabin is very quiet and adds to the clarity of the aircraft’s cutting edge in-flight entertainment systems.” Multiflight’s chief pilot, Captain Rick Bardsley and Captain Ralph Tapsfield (based at Leeds) who closely monitored aircraft engine vibration from the flight-deck agreed that the manufacturers had beaten their own specifications, which will give VVIP clients the ultimate stress-free ride.
The aircraft is fitted with two external cameras, one in the tail fin and one under the belly of the aircraft, which can be operated through 360 degrees and vertically, as well having full zoom capability. “This facility is great fun and clients will enjoy operating them as much as the multi-station computer delivered on-board entertainment systems,” said Hood. This entertainment system is unique in that the pictures are delivered round the cabin using Video over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This ensures that the signal is immune to 440Hz interference, which is usually the curse of large AC powered aircraft. The Audio is delivered by an MP3 system directly to the seats. At the rear of the Aircraft is the bedroom with a large ensuite bathroom complete with shower.
The current certification flights are part of Multiflight’s plan to operate the aircraft under Executive Jet Charter’s Air Operators Certificate (AOC) and subject to CAA approval this should be achieved by mid September. The company is hoping for 180 minute ETOPS approval by the authorities and intends to achieve 700 flight hours annually both on charter and intra-company business.
According to Steve Borrowdale, Multiflight’s Managing Director, “Industry response to the BBJ2 has been very positive so far and Multiflight Handling staff are looking forward to operating the aircraft in conjunction with Executive Jet Charter.”