Top of Lee Monson's priority list to improve the Boeing Business Jet are navigation and cabin enhancements.
The BBJ has already conducted its first flights with a future air navigation system (FANS) and the company has just gained Federal Aviation Administration certification to produce the aircraft with a lower cabin altitude.
The navigation upgrade, which costs $55,000 as a retrofit, will become standard on newbuild BBJs next year, says Monson. It assists communications between pilots and air traffic controllers. Six operators are already using the system and it is selling 1-2 retrofits per month, he says.
Altitude
Lowering the cabin altitude of the BBJ from 8,000ft (2,400m) to 6,500ft in cruise makes a long-distance journey more comfortable for passengers, says Monson. It can also be retrofitted into existing BBJs and will become a standard fit in 2006.
The list price of a BBJ is $43 million for the baseline aircraft, including winglets, extra fuel tanks, full flight deck fit and a heads-up guidance system. There are 75 BBJs in service.
Since the peak at the turn of the century, BBJ sales have slowed in line with economic conditions. After building up an inventory of several BBJs in 2002/3, the company will deliver just two BBJs this year, one to a Russian entity and one to a Middle East customer. It plans to deliver four BBJs in 2005, with two delivery positions open at present, says Monson. Going forward it is "looking at a production rate of 4-6 BBJs per year",he says.
Source: Flight Daily News
