View source for Royal Australian Air Force VIP aircraft

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
[[File:Royal Australian Air Force (A36-002) Boeing 737-7DT (BBJ) taxiing at Wagga Wagga Airport (2).jpg|alt=|thumb|RAAF [[Boeing Business Jet]] in 2018]]
[[File:Royal Australian Air Force (A56-002) Dassault Falcon 7X at Wagga Wagga Airport (2).jpg|alt=|thumb|RAAF [[Dassault Falcon 7X]]]]
The [[Royal Australian Air Force]] operates a number of specialised aircraft to transport the [[King of Australia|Monarch of Australia]] and other members of the [[Monarchy of Australia|Royal family]], the [[Governor General of Australia]], the [[Prime Minister of Australia]], senior members of the [[Government of Australia|Australian government]] and other dignitaries.
The RAAF's current Special Purpose Aircraft are two leased [[Boeing Business Jet]]s and three [[Dassault Falcon 7X|Dassault Falcon 7x]] which are operated by [[No. 34 Squadron RAAF]] and are based at [[Canberra Airport]]. The Boeing Business Jets are custom configured [[Boeing 737 Next Generation#737-700|Boeing 737-700s]] fitted with facilities such as conference tables, offices suites, secure satellite and communication capabilities. The two planes have a longer range than is standard for Boeing Business Jets. The [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] regularly makes use of the aircraft for domestic and international travel.
Prior to the acquisition of the 737s, passenger-configured RAAF [[Boeing 707]]s tanker-transports were used. These aircraft were larger than the 737s currently in use.
In August 2014, the then [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Defence Minister]] [[David Johnston (Australian politician)|David Johnston]] announced the intention to convert a [[Airbus A330 MRTT|KC-30A]] multi-role tanker to VIP configuration whilst maintaining its ability to serve as a military tanker and transport aircraft.<ref name="news140814">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/prime-minister-tony-abbott-to-fly-worldwide-nonstop-on-airbus-kc30a/story-fncynjr2-1227023370734|title=Prime Minister Tony Abbott to fly worldwide non-stop on Airbus KC-30A|date=14 August 2014|publisher=news.com.au}}</ref> The new plane has tail number A39-007. The new plane is painted in "air force grey" rather than the current colour scheme. The aircraft can now carry more than 100 passengers, including lower ministers and press on lie flat seats. The Prime Minister also has his own private section. [[File:RAAF BBJ 1.jpg|thumb|RAAF [[Boeing Business Jet#Out-of-production models|BBJ1]] with stairs deployed]]
== Current Fleet ==
* [[Dassault Falcon 7X]] (3 aircraft, 2019-present) – replacement for Challenger 604s<ref>{{Cite web|last=Defence|first=Department of|date=2019-04-16|title=New Dassault Falcon 7x Special Purpose Aircraft Arrive|url=https://news.defence.gov.au/media/media-releases/new-dassault-falcon-7x-special-purpose-aircraft-arrive|access-date=2019-04-21|website=news.defence.gov.au|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Boeing Business Jet|737 Boeing Business Jet]] (2 aircraft, 2002-present) – to be replaced by 2 737 MAX 8 BBJs in 2024<ref>{{cite news |last1=Felton |first1=Ben |title=RAAF’s 737MAX to be delivered next year - Australian Defence Magazine |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/raaf-s-737max-to-be-delivered-next-year |access-date=24 June 2023 |work=Australian Defence Magazine |date=22 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Boeing Business Jet| 737 MAX 8 Boeing Business Jet]] (3 aircraft, 2024-present) <ref>{{cite news |last1=Felton |first1=Ben |title=First RAAF 737 MAX 8 lands in Australia |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/first-raaf-737-max-8-lands-in-australia |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=Australian Defence Magazine |date=12 July 2024 |language=en}} </ref>
*[[Airbus KC-30A]] (1 aircraft, 2019-present) – MRTT fitted with long-range VIP capability<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nutbrown|first1=Robert|title=RAAF KC-30 tanker to be modified for VIP transport|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/10/raaf-kc-30-tanker-to-be-modified-for-vip-transport/|work=Australian Aviation|date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805144700/http://australianaviation.com.au/2016/10/raaf-kc-30-tanker-to-be-modified-for-vip-transport/|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
==History==
Prior to 1940, there were no dedicated aircraft available for use by federal government ministers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hazlehurst|first=Cameron|title=Ten Journeys to Cameron's Farm : An Australian Tragedy|year=2013|publisher=ANU E Press|location=Canberra|isbn=9781925021011|url=https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p263591/pdf/book.pdf|access-date=26 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229100436/http://epress.anu.edu.au/titles/ten-journeys-to-camerons-farm/pdf-download|archive-date=29 December 2013|page=135}}</ref> [[Canberra]] had become Australia's national capital in 1927, following the relocation of [[Parliament of Australia|federal parliament]] from the temporary capital [[Melbourne]], but many government agencies had not yet relocated. This necessitated frequent travel between the two cities for government ministers and their staff. In 1936, [[Australian National Airways]] began operating regular commercial air services using [[de Havilland Express|D.H.86]]s.{{sfn|Hazlehurst|2013|p=131}} Many members of parliament continued to prefer railway travel, but Prime Minister [[Joseph Lyons]] was a regular aircraft passenger and regarded the introduction of dedicated aircraft for cabinet ministers as inevitable.{{sfn|Hazlehurst|2013|p=134}} In August 1939, by which time Lyons had died in office and been succeeded by [[Robert Menzies]], a cabinet submission by defence minister [[Geoffrey Street]] identified that "special flying arrangements might be necessary for urgent movements which do not fit in with the timetable of the air services".{{sfn|Hazlehurst|2013|p=135}} World War II broke out the following month and a [[Australian War Cabinet|War Cabinet]] was formed, meeting several times a week.{{sfn|Hazlehurst|2013|p=24}} As a result, in early 1940 air minister [[James Fairbairn]] approved the conversion of four newly ordered [[Lockheed Hudson]] bombers into passenger aircraft suitable for ministerial use, to be operated by the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF).{{sfn|Hazlehurst|2013|p=135}}
The "[[VIP affair]]" of 1967 arose from the decision by the government and public service to maintain a veil of secrecy over the VIP flights program, attempting to conceal costs, destinations and passengers in order to prevent negative media coverage. This culminated in Prime Minister [[Harold Holt]] and Air Minister [[Peter Howson (politician)|Peter Howson]] being found to have [[misleading parliament|misled parliament]] over the existence of passenger [[Manifest (transportation)|manifests]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.aspg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/VIP-final.pdf|title=The V.I.P. Affair, 1966–67: The causes, course and consequences of a ministerial and public service cover-up|first=Ian|last=Hancock|journal=Australasian Parliamentary Review|volume=18|publisher=Australasian Study of Parliament Group|year=2003|issue=2}}</ref>
== Airbus KC-30A (A39-007) VIP Transport ==
[[File:RAAF (A39-007) Airbus KC-30A (A330-203MRTT) landing at Canberra Airport (4).jpg|alt=|thumb|RAAF [[Airbus KC-30A]] (A39-007) landing at [[Canberra Airport]] in 2020]]
For long haul flights, the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft registered A39-007 will fly with up to:
*Three Pilots
*Two Air Refuelling Operators
*Eight Crew Attendants
*One Network Technician (Formerly Communications and Information Systems Controller)
*One Catering Representative
*Five Maintenance consisting of Avionics Technicians and Aircraft Technicians, which can be reduced to four if technicians are cross-trained across both trades.
The KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker aircraft incorporates modifications to enable long-range Government transport, including enhanced in-air communications capability to support secure telecommunications. The modifications will enable the business of Government to continue while in the air, with access to unclassified and classified information technology environments and telecommunications.
The VIP cabin interior is configured as follows:
*VIP accommodation area including two first class seats and seat enclosures
*A large meeting room which includes ten taxi, take-off and landing rated seats and a large conference room table
*A working area with club style tables, video-telecommunications equipment and twelve taxi, take-off and landing rated seats
*Bathroom facilities
The cabin configuration includes a total of 102 seats, comprising:
*Seating area with 54 standard economy class seats
*Seating area with 24 business class seats (lie-down seats)
*A First Class lie-flat seating area for two people
*Secure conference room with ten reclining seats at a table (and five periphery seats which are not certified for take-off or landing)
*Working area with 12 lie-flat seats and tables
==List of Former RAAF VIP transport aircraft==
[[File:RAAF Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 CBR Gilbert-1.jpg|thumb|RAAF [[Bombardier Challenger 600 series#CL-604|Challenger 604]] in 2004]][[File:RAAF Boeing 707 in 1979 - Steve Fitzgerald.jpg|thumb|RAAF [[Boeing 707]] at [[Heathrow Airport]], 1979]]
*[[Lockheed Hudson]] (4 aircraft, 1940–?){{sfn|Hazlehurst|2013|p=135}}
*[[C-47 Skytrain|Douglas DC-3 Dakota]] (? VIP aircraft, 1943?-?)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A65.htm A65 Douglas Dakota]</ref>
*[[Consolidated Liberator]] (? VIP aircraft, 1944?–1948?)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A72.htm A72 B-24 Liberator]</ref>
*[[Avro York]] (1 aircraft, 1945–1947)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A74.htm A74 Avro York]</ref>
*[[Convair 240#Variants|Convair Metropolitan]] (2 aircraft, 1957–1968)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A96.htm A96 Convair 440 Metropolitan]</ref>
*[[Vickers Viscount]] (2 aircraft, 1964–1969)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A6.htm A6 Vickers Viscount]</ref>
*[[Dassault Mystere 20|Dassault Mystere 20C]] (3 aircraft, 1967–1989)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A11.htm A11 Dassault Mystere (Falcon 20)]</ref>
*[[Avro 748|Hawker Siddeley HS748]] (2 VIP aircraft, 1967–?)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A10.htm A10 Hawker Siddeley HS748]</ref>
*[[BAC One-Eleven]] (2 aircraft, 1968–1989)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A12.htm A12 B111]</ref>
*[[Boeing 707]] (4 aircraft, 1979–2008)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A20.htm A20 Boeing 707]</ref> – reconverted to tanker transport
*[[Dassault Falcon 900]] (5 aircraft, 1989–2002)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A26.htm A26 Dassault Falcon 900]</ref>
*[[Bombardier Challenger 600 series#CL-604|Challenger 604]] (3 aircraft, 2002–2019)<ref>RAAF Museum [http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series3/A37.htm A37 Challenger CL 604]</ref>
[[File:RAAF Vickers Viscount (AWM 128878).jpg|thumb|RAAF [[Vickers Viscount]]]]
==See also==
{{Portal|Military of Australia|Royal Australian Air Force|Aviation}}
* [[Air transports of heads of state and government]]
* [[1940 Canberra air disaster]]
* [[Garuda Indonesia Flight 200]]
* [[VIP aircraft affair]]
* [[Transportation of the Prime Minister of Australia]]
* [[Royal visits to Australia]]
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
==Further reading==
*{{cite web |last1=Church |first1=Nathan |title=The evolution of the Royal Australian Air Force's 'VIP fleet' |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp2021/SpecialPurposeAircraft |website=Parliamentary Library |publisher=Parliament of Australia |date=12 November 2020}}
== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070524170713/http://www.defence.gov.au/RAAF/organisation/groups/alg.htm RAAF Air Lift Group]
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4521/features/feature03.htm 34 SQN Its Special Purpose] – RAAF News
* [http://www.adf-serials.com/raaf3.shtml RAAF Serial Numbers 1961–present] – ADF Serials
* [http://www.abc.net.au/am/stories/s212466.htm PM's delay highlights RAAF needs] – AM, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
* [http://www.qds.qantas.com.au/special_purpose_aircraft.htm Special Purpose Aircraft Business Unit (SPA BU)] – QANTAS Defence Services
* [https://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/Disclosures/141_1920_Documents.pdf] - Regarding the RAAF airbus registration A39-007
{{RAAF}}
{{ADF Aircraft}}
[[Category:Aircraft in Royal Australian Air Force service]]
[[Category:Air transport of heads of state|Australia]]
[[Category:Prime Minister of Australia]]
[[Category:Governors-general of Australia]]
[[Category:Monarchy of Australia]]
[[Category:Royal vehicles]]
[[Category:Transport in Australia]]