Cabot Aviation has expanded its marketing efforts for a Boeing 787-8 it has been appointed to re-market. This follows the display of another BBJ 787-8 at EBACE 2016, which was completed by Greenpoint Technologies at its facility in Moses Lake, Washington, USA. A BBJ 787-9 concept by Greenpoint Technologies is pictured.
Cabot says that aircraft generated considerable interest at the event, and as a result there are currently a number of leads being actively pursued by Cabot. While at EBACE, the team also held discussions with many principal completion centers, which stated that capacity is available to begin work on the aircraft in early 2017.
The Boeing 787-8 being re-marketed by Cabot – serial number 35507 – is due for delivery in November 2016. The aircraft is powered by GEnx-1B engines, giving a range approaching 10,000 nautical miles (with 25 passengers) and a service ceiling of 43,000ft. It offers a 6,000ft cabin altitude.
“This is a unique opportunity for a buyer to secure the only Boeing 787-8 on the market without any delay,” said Charley Cleaver, senior vice president of Cabot Aviation. “We can get the aircraft into work with a number of completion centers early in 2017, and the new owner will be able to tailor the interior to their own requirements. While this could take up to two years if the interior fit-out is demanding, it does mean that the new owner will not have to compromise.”
Cabot Aviation reports there are only two other BBJ 787-8 aircraft in VVIP configuration currently in active service, with a small number undergoing completion.
“Our first VVIP BBJ 787-8 conversion was a great success and we were delighted to be able to showcase the aircraft at EBACE,” said Bret Neely, executive vice president of Greenpoint Technologies. “We learnt a great deal from the process, which is proving to be very beneficial as we work on our second BBJ 787 project. We would gladly welcome the opportunity to put our experience to work for Cabot Aviation and their buyer in the future.”
“Associated Air Center was the first completion center to achieve an industry-first FAA STC on a VVIP conversion on a BBJ 787-8 and delivered the head-of-state aircraft in February 2016,” said James Colleary, president at Associated Air Center. “The aircraft features three cabin zones as well as a separate office, bathroom, lavatory and bedroom within the presidential suite. We overcame significant new engineering challenges during this project and ultimately delivered an aircraft that was 20% lighter than originally envisaged, allowing the customer to carry additional fuel to fly longer, non-stop missions. Clearly subsequent customers will benefit from what has already been learned.”
Image: Greenpoint Technologies
June 8, 2016
