PM to USA on what aircraft?

[craney]

The two BBJs are still with No. 34 Squadron (RAAF Fairbairn, Canberra). The aircraft are leased, not owned by the RAAF.

 

[DC3]

So what has happened to the B737-700 BBJ that we (the Australian public) used to fund?

No change, it seems.

 

[DC3]

I keep thinking that there needs to be some sort of competition to name the new plane ........................

It’s called Shark One, reportedly by Scott Morrison. Does sound a bit weird.

 

[vetrade]

It’s called Shark One, reportedly by Scott Morrison. Does sound a bit weird.

Morrison barracks for the Cronulla Sharks - a rugby team

 

[Fergo747]

Morrison barracks for the Cronulla Sharks - a rugby team

A rugby 'league' team - please don't tarnish the game played in heaven with a team from the NRL!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Very stylish. I hope it's fitted with troop seating.

Isn't that Jetstar configuration anyway?

 

[DC3]

A rugby 'league' team - please don't tarnish the game played in heaven with a team from the NRL!

Oh. Football?

 

[p--and--t]

I saw a report somewhere it is fitted with 100 lie flat seat/beds.

Would be interesting to see the configuration......

 

[dajop]

Morrison barracks for the Cronulla Sharks - a rugby team

Probably just as well he’s not an Essendon (AFL) fan then.

 

[craven morehead]

Spotted in Adelaide a couple of years back.

https://flic.kr/p/21NaSEA

Must be a grey nurse then

 

[AWSH]

Or the stars of the Southern Cross on the tail (thinking of the former Ansett livery).

Given that it's a tanker, could it do CBR-DCA non-stop or is the fuel in the tank not available to the plane?

It can refuel itself from its extra fuel tanks, and also be refuelled mid-air by another tanker. However I don't think the runway at CBR supports it taking off with a full load of fuel so it probably got a top up shortly after takeoff before going to Andrews AFB.

Gee, they could have at least tricked up the paintwork a bit - that looks very drab. A bold Aussie flag on the front at the very least, I would have thought

It is the same as the other refuellers so that in theory it can actually be used for that purpose - ie on operations. Helps justify the cost!

 

[froggerADL]

I would have thought Australia One would be a much better and more patriotic name. Will the next PM have to rename the plane after their favourite sports team?

 

[coriander]

It can refuel itself from its extra fuel tanks, and also be refuelled mid-air by another tanker

Just checked the RAAF website: range is 14,800km. SYD-DCA is 15732km The other MRTTs can carry 270 pax, as opposed to the 100 on Scomo One. Makes sense for our pollies to fly internationally in something bigger than a 737.

 

[Canberradaddy]

Not ex-QANTAS. A new A-330 air to air refuelling aircraft with a VIP package installed.

Interesting that PM did not take the 737 - a Boeing aircraft. Trump might have been irritated that Morrisson met him flying a Fence (outfitted in Spain) aircraft.

 

[DC3]

Not ex-QANTAS. A new A-330 air to air refuelling aircraft with a VIP package installed ...

Not new as it was used by Jetstar at one point.

 

[lastrow]

I cant get my head around this new VIP acquisition. Given it was an ex Jetstar A330 fitted out for cattle transport and has now been converted into what? How can it be a tanker one end and a 100 seat Prime Minister's inter continental airliner at the other end. Does it do tanker duties en route to New York. Do they pull the lie flat seats out and put fuel tanks in their place? Is their residual smell of jet fuel when the VIPs fly. Perhaps it could be pressed into service for bush fire fighting in the summer.

 

[coriander]

I cant get my head around this new VIP acquisition.

Six out of seven MRTTs have the ability to seat 270 pax. One, 007, has been refitted for duties as a VIP aircraft with 100 seats in lie flat configuration.
The plane's fuselage is not full to the brim with fuel tanks.
From RAAF's website:
"The KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a heavily modified Airbus A330 airliner, and enables Air Force to conduct air-to-air refuelling and provide strategic air lift."
.... meaning it could move a lot more troops a lot faster to anywhere they'd be required.

 

[Isochronous]

Oh. Football?

The real kind of football! Good to see that Morrison is a fan.

 

[moa999]

Six out of seven MRTTs have the ability to seat 270 pax. One, 007, has been refitted for duties as a VIP aircraft with 100 seats in lie flat configuration.
The plane's fuselage is not full to the brim with fuel tank

Fuel is pretty heavy.. if the plane was full to the brim it would have no chance of getting off the ground - essentially most of the cargo deck and passenger deck remains the same including windows.

UK air force has a similar fleet, including one VIP aircraft, some inside shots have been published.

Voyager

See more from the Royal Air Force

www.raf.mod.uk

Inside RAF's new 'Cam Force One' VIP jet for ministers and Royals

The RAF has unveiled a new jet that will provide VIP transport for government ministers and the Royal Family.

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[justinbrett]

Or the stars of the Southern Cross on the tail (thinking of the former Ansett livery).

Given that it's a tanker, could it do CBR-DCA non-stop or is the fuel in the tank not available to the plane?

Yes, the aircraft can use all of the fuel. But when you fill it up with fuel it adds a lot of extra weight which then burns more fuel. I think it would be close but DCA might be a tad too far - it could probably get to DFW/ORD.

More likely, the KC-30As can tank of each other, so if there was a requirement for such a long voyage, it could be refuelled midway by another aircraft.

You may be interested to know that the RAF also use their KC-30A for VIP aircraft (used yesterday to return Boris Johnson to London from New York). Although the KC-30A is an Australian designation, the RAF calls their aircraft Voyager KC.Mk 2 (and Mk3). It's essentially the same aircraft.