Royal Australian Air Force VIP aircraft

Royal Australian Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...

has operated a number of specialised aircraft to transport members of the Royal Family, the Governor General of Australia, senior members of the Australian government

Government of Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...

, and other dignitaries.

The RAAF's current VIP aircraft are two leased Boeing Business Jet

Boeing Business Jet

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s and three Bombardier Challenger

Bombardier Challenger

The Challenger is a family of mid-sized business jets produced by Canadair, and later by Bombardier Aerospace.Aircraft include:* Bombardier Challenger 600 the original series; includes the CL-600, CL-601, CL-604, and CL-605...

s which are operated by No. 34 Squadron RAAF

No. 34 Squadron RAAF

No. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It is currently based at Canberra International Airport in the Australian capital Canberra, where it operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s.-History:...

and are based at Canberra International Airport

Canberra International Airport

Canberra International Airport , now trading as Canberra Airport, is the airport serving Australia's capital city, Canberra, and the city of Queanbeyan, NSW. Located at the eastern edge of North Canberra, it is the 8th busiest airport in Australia. The airport is the main hub for Brindabella Airlines...

. The Boeing Business Jets are custom configured Boeing 737s 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

Prime Minister of Australia

The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...

regularly uses the aircraft for both domestic and international travel.

Prior to the acquisition of the 737s, the prime minister flew in custom-configured Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707s. These aircraft were larger than the 737s currently in use.

List of RAAF VIP transport aircraft

Douglas DC-3 Dakota
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...

(? VIP aircraft, 1943?-?)
Consolidated Liberator (? VIP aircraft, 1944?-1948?)
Avro York
Avro York
The Avro York was a British transport aircraft that was derived from the Second World War Lancaster heavy bomber, and used in both military and airliner roles between 1943 and 1964.-Design and development:...

(1 aircraft, 1945-1947)
Convair Metropolitan (2 aircraft, 1957-1968)
Vickers Viscount
Vickers Viscount
The Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...

(2 aircraft?, 1964-1969)
Dassault Mystere 20C (3 aircraft, 1967-1989)
Hawker Siddeley HS748
Avro 748
The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed by the British firm Avro in the late 1950s as a replacement for the now-aged DC-3s then in widespread service as feederliners. Avro concentrated on performance, notably for STOL operations, and found a dedicated...

(2 VIP aircraft, 1967-?)
BAC One-Eleven
BAC One-Eleven
The British Aircraft Corporation One-Eleven, also known as the BAC-111, BAC-1-11 or BAC 1-11, was a British short-range jet airliner of the 1960s and 1970s...

(2 aircraft, 1968-1989)
Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...

(4 aircraft, 1979-2008) - reconverted to tanker transport
Dassault Falcon 900 (5 aircraft, 1989-2002)
737 Boeing Business Jet
Boeing Business Jet
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(2 aircraft, 2002-current)
Bombardier Challenger 604
Bombardier Challenger 600
The Bombardier Challenger 600 series is a family of business jets designed by Bill Lear and produced first by Canadair until that company was bought by Bombardier Aerospace in 1986.-Development:...

(3 aircraft, 2002-current)

External links

RAAF Air Lift Group
34 SQN Its Special Purpose - RAAF News
RAAF Serial Numbers 1961-present - ADF Serials
PM's delay highlights RAAF needs - AM, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Special Purpose Aircraft Business Unit (SPA BU) - QANTAS Defence Services

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List of RAAF VIP transport aircraft

See also

External links