Tue, Sep 18, 2012
Sets Record For Speed Over A Recognized Course
A Boeing business jet set a new world record for "Speed Over a Recognized Course" when it flew non-stop from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand for installation of its VIP interiors. The BBJ, a 737-700 modified for VIP use, made the 5,658 nm trip in 13 hours, 7 minutes and 54 seconds.
The record-setting trip was monitored by the National Aeronautic Association based in Washington, D.C. BBJ president captain Steve Taylor said the trip demonstrates the incredible range capability of the BBJ. "When we left Los Angeles with full fuel, we were 21,000 pounds below our Maximum Takeoff Weight. This means that the customer can add a full VIP interior, fill all the seats and still carry full fuel and have remarkable range," said Taylor.
The airplane had 7,800 pounds of fuel remaining when it landed in Auckland Sunday evening.
The BBJ, owned by Samsung Electronics, is equipped with seven auxiliary fuel tanks, giving it the extended range capability. It also features lower cabin altitude, which differentiates it from its competitor. The option provides a 6,500-foot cabin altitude instead of the standard 8,000-foot cabin, allowing passengers to travel in greater comfort.
The airplane was flown to New Zealand for the first interior completion of a new BBJ by Altitude Aerospace Interiors, an Auckland-based company which was launched in 2008. Boeing delivers the BBJ to the customer "green" (no interior or paint) so it can be customized to suit the specific needs and taste of the customer. The completion center of the customer's choosing installs the VIP interiors, which typically takes nine months to a year.
(Pictured from left: J.J. Choi, Samsung Electronics, BBJ Chief Pilot Rene Gonzalez, pilot Capt. Matt Coleman and BBJ president Captain Steve Taylor)
More News
Airbus Racer Demonstrator Makes Inaugural Flight Airbus Helicopters' ambitious Racer demonstrator has achieved its inaugural flight as part of the Clean Sky 2 initiative, a corners>[...]
A little Bit Quieter, Said Testers, But in the End it's Still a DA40 Diamond Aircraft recently completed a little pilot project with Lufthansa Aviation Training, putting a pair of >[...]
Line Up And Wait (LUAW) Used by ATC to inform a pilot to taxi onto the departure runway to line up and wait. It is not authorization for takeoff. It is used when takeoff clearance >[...]
Contributing To The Accident Was The Pilot’s Use Of Methamphetamine... Analysis: The pilot departed on a local flight to perform low-altitude maneuvers in a nearby desert val>[...]
From 2015 (YouTube Version): Overcoming Obstacles To Achieve Their Dreams… At EAA AirVenture 2015, FedEx arrived with one of their Airbus freight-hauling aircraft and placed>[...]