AirForce One..
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Air Force One is the air traffic control call sign of any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two specifically configured, highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft—tail numbers 28000 and 29000—with Air Force designation VC-25A. While these planes are only referred to as "Air Force One" while the president is on board, the term is commonly used to describe either of two aircraft normally used and maintained by the U.S. Air Force solely for the president.
The VC-25A is capable of flying 12,600 km (7,800 miles)—roughly one-third of the distance around the world—without refueling and can accommodate more than 70 passengers. Before these planes entered service, two Boeing 707-320B-type aircraft—tail numbers 26000 and 27000—had operated as Air Force One starting in 1962. The Air Force designation for these aircraft was VC-137. Since its inception, Air Force One has become a symbol of presidential power and prestige.
Contents
1 Operation
2 Capability and features
3 History
3.1 First of "Flying Presidents"
3.2 Boeing 707s as Air Force One
3.3 Transition to Boeing 747s
3.4 Location of past planes that served as Air Force One
4 Pop culture
5 Other government official aircraft
6 Sources and further reading
6.1 Text
6.2 Photographs and other multimedia
7 See also
8 Notes
Operation
These aircraft are maintained and operated as military operations by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, based at Andrews Air Force Base in Suitland and Clinton, Maryland. The President is often flown in a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter, call sign Marine One, between the Andrews AFB and the White House.
Capability and features
The planes that serve as Air Force One differ from the standard Boeing 747 in size, features, and security precautions. While Air Force One has three floors, like a regular Boeing 747, its interior has been reconfigured for presidential duties. The planes' 4,000 square feet (370 m²) of interior floor space includes multiple modifications. The planes' lowest level is mostly cargo space, carrying luggage and the plane's food supply. The food can supply up to 2,000 meals when fully loaded, some of which is stored in freezers. Meals are prepared in two galleys, which together are equipped to feed about 100 people at a time.
The main passenger area is on the second floor, and communications equipment and the cockpit are on the third floor. There are three entrances onboard. Writer Tom Harris notes:
Passengers can enter through three doors. Two doors, one at the front of the plane and one at the rear, open onto the lower deck, and one door at the front of the plane opens onto the middle deck. Normally, when you see the president in the news getting on and off Air Force One with a wave, he is using the door onto the middle deck and a rolling staircase has been pulled up to the plane. Journalists normally enter through the rear door, where they immediately climb a staircase to the middle deck. Most of the press area looks something like the first class section of an ordinary jetliner, with comfortable, spaced-out seats.
On board Air Force One are medical facilities, including a fold-out operating table, emergency medical supplies, and a well-stocked pharmacy. On every flight there is a staff doctor. In addition, there are separate sleeping quarters for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel, and the news media; the president's executive suite includes a private dressing room, workout room, lavatory, shower, and private office. These offices, including the president's suite, are mostly located on the right side of the aircraft (while facing forward), and a long corridor runs along the left side. Whenever Air Force One finishes taxiing on the tarmac, it always comes to a stop with the left side of the aircraft, the port side, facing gathered onlookers as a security measure to keep the President's side of the aircraft out of view.
Air Force One on the ground.In the office areas, Air Force One features access to photocopying, printing, and word processing, as well as telecommunication systems (including 85 telephones and 19 televisions). There are also secure and non-secure voice, fax, and data communications. Most of the furniture on board was hand-crafted by master carpenters.
The planes can also be operated as a military command center in the event of an incident such as a nuclear attack. Operational modifications include aerial refueling capability and anti-aircraft missile countermeasures. The electronics on board include around 238 miles (383 km) of wiring, twice the amount in a regular 747. These are covered with heavy shielding to protect wires and electronics from the electromagnetic pulse generated by a nuclear attack. The planes also have electronic countermeasures (ECMs) which jam enemy radar, and flares to avoid heat-seeking missiles. Much of Air Force One's other capabilities are classified for security reasons.
The boring Bits:
Name: Air Force One
Primary function: Presidential air transport
Contractor: Boeing
Power plant: Four General Electric CF6-80C2B1 jet engines
Thrust: 56,700 lbf (250 kN) per engine
Length: 231 ft, 10 in (70.7 m)
Height: 63 ft, 5 in (19.3 m)
Wingspan: 195 ft, 8 in (59.6 m)
Speed: 630 mph (Mach 0.92)
Ceiling: 45,100 ft (13,700 m)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 833,000 lb (375,000 kg)
Range: 7,800 statute miles (6,800 nautical miles or 12,550 km) Note: it can be fueled in-flight so it has an essentially limitless range.
Crew: 26
Total capacity: 102
Introduction: December 8, 1990 (No. 28000)
December 23, 1990 (No. 29000)
Deployment: September 6, 1990 (No. 28000)
March 26, 1991 (No. 29000)
Inventory: 2
Air Force One is the air traffic control call sign of any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two specifically configured, highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft—tail numbers 28000 and 29000—with Air Force designation VC-25A. While these planes are only referred to as "Air Force One" while the president is on board, the term is commonly used to describe either of two aircraft normally used and maintained by the U.S. Air Force solely for the president.
The VC-25A is capable of flying 12,600 km (7,800 miles)—roughly one-third of the distance around the world—without refueling and can accommodate more than 70 passengers. Before these planes entered service, two Boeing 707-320B-type aircraft—tail numbers 26000 and 27000—had operated as Air Force One starting in 1962. The Air Force designation for these aircraft was VC-137. Since its inception, Air Force One has become a symbol of presidential power and prestige.
Contents
1 Operation
2 Capability and features
3 History
3.1 First of "Flying Presidents"
3.2 Boeing 707s as Air Force One
3.3 Transition to Boeing 747s
3.4 Location of past planes that served as Air Force One
4 Pop culture
5 Other government official aircraft
6 Sources and further reading
6.1 Text
6.2 Photographs and other multimedia
7 See also
8 Notes
Operation
These aircraft are maintained and operated as military operations by the Presidential Airlift Group, part of Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, based at Andrews Air Force Base in Suitland and Clinton, Maryland. The President is often flown in a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter, call sign Marine One, between the Andrews AFB and the White House.
Capability and features
The planes that serve as Air Force One differ from the standard Boeing 747 in size, features, and security precautions. While Air Force One has three floors, like a regular Boeing 747, its interior has been reconfigured for presidential duties. The planes' 4,000 square feet (370 m²) of interior floor space includes multiple modifications. The planes' lowest level is mostly cargo space, carrying luggage and the plane's food supply. The food can supply up to 2,000 meals when fully loaded, some of which is stored in freezers. Meals are prepared in two galleys, which together are equipped to feed about 100 people at a time.
The main passenger area is on the second floor, and communications equipment and the cockpit are on the third floor. There are three entrances onboard. Writer Tom Harris notes:
Passengers can enter through three doors. Two doors, one at the front of the plane and one at the rear, open onto the lower deck, and one door at the front of the plane opens onto the middle deck. Normally, when you see the president in the news getting on and off Air Force One with a wave, he is using the door onto the middle deck and a rolling staircase has been pulled up to the plane. Journalists normally enter through the rear door, where they immediately climb a staircase to the middle deck. Most of the press area looks something like the first class section of an ordinary jetliner, with comfortable, spaced-out seats.
On board Air Force One are medical facilities, including a fold-out operating table, emergency medical supplies, and a well-stocked pharmacy. On every flight there is a staff doctor. In addition, there are separate sleeping quarters for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel, and the news media; the president's executive suite includes a private dressing room, workout room, lavatory, shower, and private office. These offices, including the president's suite, are mostly located on the right side of the aircraft (while facing forward), and a long corridor runs along the left side. Whenever Air Force One finishes taxiing on the tarmac, it always comes to a stop with the left side of the aircraft, the port side, facing gathered onlookers as a security measure to keep the President's side of the aircraft out of view.
Air Force One on the ground.In the office areas, Air Force One features access to photocopying, printing, and word processing, as well as telecommunication systems (including 85 telephones and 19 televisions). There are also secure and non-secure voice, fax, and data communications. Most of the furniture on board was hand-crafted by master carpenters.
The planes can also be operated as a military command center in the event of an incident such as a nuclear attack. Operational modifications include aerial refueling capability and anti-aircraft missile countermeasures. The electronics on board include around 238 miles (383 km) of wiring, twice the amount in a regular 747. These are covered with heavy shielding to protect wires and electronics from the electromagnetic pulse generated by a nuclear attack. The planes also have electronic countermeasures (ECMs) which jam enemy radar, and flares to avoid heat-seeking missiles. Much of Air Force One's other capabilities are classified for security reasons.
The boring Bits:
Name: Air Force One
Primary function: Presidential air transport
Contractor: Boeing
Power plant: Four General Electric CF6-80C2B1 jet engines
Thrust: 56,700 lbf (250 kN) per engine
Length: 231 ft, 10 in (70.7 m)
Height: 63 ft, 5 in (19.3 m)
Wingspan: 195 ft, 8 in (59.6 m)
Speed: 630 mph (Mach 0.92)
Ceiling: 45,100 ft (13,700 m)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 833,000 lb (375,000 kg)
Range: 7,800 statute miles (6,800 nautical miles or 12,550 km) Note: it can be fueled in-flight so it has an essentially limitless range.
Crew: 26
Total capacity: 102
Introduction: December 8, 1990 (No. 28000)
December 23, 1990 (No. 29000)
Deployment: September 6, 1990 (No. 28000)
March 26, 1991 (No. 29000)
Inventory: 2
Receive post updates by Email
Add my feed to your Rss
