Air Force One, a part of the US Air Force, operates with two other aircraft, a C-17 cargo plane and a specially equipped Boeing 747, known as the “Doomsday” plane. These aircraft are housed and maintained at Andrews, just 10 miles southeast of the White House. The wing employs 80 pilots and can accommodate 70 passengers, including White House staff and the press corps, and 26 crew members. Air Force One planes have 4,000 square feet of space for up to 76 passengers.
The call sign for Air Force One is the radio call sign adopted by any Air Force plane while the president is aboard. The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200Bs, with tail numbers 28000 and 29000, with the Air Force designation VC-25. Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A) aircraft. The USAF has ordered two Boeing 747-8s to serve as the presidential air transport fleet.
The fleet carries out more than 6,500 missions and logs nearly 12,000 flight hours each year. All aircraft, including the two that serve as Air Force One, are highly customized and carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000. The US Air Force plans to continue the Boeing tradition with the 747-8, which will replace the two 747-200s that serve as the presidential air transport fleet.
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Why is there two Air Force One planes?
The term “Air Force One” is used to refer to any United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft that is carrying the President of the United States. Two VC-25A planes are the primary ones used for Presidential transport, and the USAF is acquiring two VC-25B aircraft as a replacement.
Do any planes fly with Air Force One?
The President of the United States, along with his staff and White House reporters, travels with Air Force One (VC-25) and a designated aircraft, the United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster, which transports the President’s limousine and Secret Service vehicles. The President’s trip is meticulously planned and coordinated, with an E-4 Doomsday plane supporting Air Force One as a mobile command center and nuclear bunker.
The President typically uses two customized Boeing 747-200Bs for his flights, requiring hours of planning and coordination to ensure smooth travel. The VC-25 carries the President, while the C-17 Globemaster is used to transport the President’s limousine and Secret Service vehicles.
Is Air Force 1 escorted by fighters?
The U. S. Air Force has occasionally used fighter aircraft to accompany presidential aircraft over the United States, with the first instance occurring during John F. Kennedy’s state funeral. President Nixon used the SAM 26000 to travel domestically and visit South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The plane served President Nixon on several groundbreaking overseas voyages, including his visit to China in 1972 and his trip to the Soviet Union in 1972.
Nixon dubbed the plane the “Spirit of ’76” in honor of the bicentennial of the United States. SAM 26000 was replaced by the Special Air Mission 27000 in December 1972, serving as a backup until its retirement in 1998.
Is Air Force One escorted by fighter jets?
The U. S. Air Force has occasionally used fighter aircraft to accompany presidential aircraft over the United States, with the first instance occurring during John F. Kennedy’s state funeral. President Nixon used the SAM 26000 to travel domestically and visit South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The plane served President Nixon on several groundbreaking overseas voyages, including his visit to China in 1972 and his trip to the Soviet Union in 1972.
Nixon dubbed the plane the “Spirit of ’76” in honor of the bicentennial of the United States. SAM 26000 was replaced by the Special Air Mission 27000 in December 1972, serving as a backup until its retirement in 1998.
How many planes does Air Force One have?
Air Force One, a highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, is a recognizable symbol of the presidency, carrying the words “United States of America”, the American flag, and the Seal of the President of the United States. The aircraft is equipped with advanced secure communications equipment, allowing it to function as a mobile command center in case of an attack on the United States. Its unique design, including the ability to refuel midair, unlimited range, and hardened electronics, makes it an undeniable presence wherever it flies.
How much does it cost to run Air Force One per hour?
Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman of the Education and the Workforce Committee, has criticized President Biden for his controversial photo op with United Auto Workers (UAW) members in Michigan. Foxx argues that Biden’s attempt to gain political favor at the strike is inappropriate and has serious costs for the American taxpayer. She believes that Biden’s decision to engage in a self-aggrandizing photo op may have resulted in taxpayers paying $19, 760 per minute, which is the cost of operating Air Force One.
The Air Force’s cost to operate Air Force One is $177, 843 per flight hour, or just over $2, 964 per minute. Foxx is concerned about the frivolous use of taxpayer funds to engage in a photo opportunity that resembled a campaign stop, only to jet off to engage in an actual fundraiser. The letter highlights the need for the government to demonstrate impartiality in situations where the government is a regulator.
Why does Air Force One go dark before landing?
Dimming cabin lights during takeoff and landing is crucial for safety reasons. Low lights make illuminated emergency exit signs easier to see and help passengers remain aware of their surroundings. A dim cabin allows eyes to adjust, allowing them to see both inside and outside the plane. Bright lights can blind passengers and make it easier for flight attendants to assess any exterior hazards, like fire or debris. Window shades should be open during takeoff and landing to prevent blindness and ensure safety.
Ideally, the aircraft’s interior lighting should match the exterior conditions, as it takes time for the human eye to adjust to its surroundings. By adjusting the lighting, passengers can avoid sudden blindness while dashing for doors in darkness or smoke.
How long can Air Force 1 stay in the air?
The Air Force One aircraft was designed to be refuelled for a period of approximately 14 hours without interruption.
How long can Air Force 1 Stay in flight?
The introduction of new, smaller aircraft, anticipated for 2026, is intended to replace existing models. However, these aircraft will not be equipped with refuelling capabilities and will have a comparable operational range.
Can Air Force One be tracked?
Flightradar24, a flight tracking platform, may have restrictions on certain flights due to requests from owners or operators. High-profile aircraft, like Air Force One, are not displayed, while others are anonymized by aircraft type. Major airports are marked with blue markers in areas with Flightradar24 coverage. The platform relies on volunteers worldwide for most of its coverage, and individuals can contribute and host receivers.
How much does the pilot of Air Force One make?
As of August 28, 2024, the mean annual remuneration for an Air Force One pilot in the United States is $130, 916, or approximately $62. 94 per hour, according to a basic salary calculator.
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It should be noted that the host for this visit was the PAG Commander and Presidential Pilot USAF Col. David Banholzer. He tragically passed away in late 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Met him just a few times but I knew some of the pilots and navs in PAG that knew him best. Great guy, dedicated officer and tremendous pilot. He left behind a beautiful family. Clear skies and tail winds Colonel!
I always enjoy stories about AF1. I remember a special TV show once, where they interviewed the chief steward, and he commented on a surprise trip to Iraq during the Bush years. To avoide possible surface to air attacks they took off at such a steep angle the chief steward said he didn’t know the plane could climb that hard and fast.
There are a lot of things on that plane they will never tell us about. I was at Cades cove when Bush was president and they were getting ready for his visit the next day. One of the Secret Service agents took me a tour of how they secured the location and their command truck. He was very nice. I asked him how much I was looking right at and not seeing and he said, “there is a lot, but I can’t show it for security reasons.”
What is so strange about this is that it has no glass cockpit and still has the old analog instruments. This was first used by GHW Bush (1988-1992). The 747-400 came out in 1988 so what model is this, a 300? Glass cockpits came out on US airlines in the early 80’s, first with the MD-80 and then with the 757/767 series which had roughly the same cockpits. Does anyone know why Air Force One was not a 400 series when they were already 2 years old? Was it because they started building this plane prior to its introduction? Thanks,
I read that the White House is up for a new Air Force One. I’m impressed. Air Force One is such an expensive piece of equipment. With a new luxury liner, I wish the White House would start a tradition of inviting an ordinary citizen (and a patriot) from among the American people to be a guest of the president as he/she travels to a foreign country — ONCE! And as I said, the lotto winner would naturally be screened for patriotism to the country.
Some trivia: On 9/11, when President Bush was leaving the school in Florida as the attack was happening, AF1 took off at a full throttle, near 90 degree liftoff for the one and only time in it’s history, for obvious reasons. They had the engines at go before he even got out of the limo and Secret Service carried him up those stairs, one man under each arm, in full sprint. AF1 might be as big as a boat when it comes to jet airliners, but it has the power of a fighter jet. Every horsepower of those engines was used to get him off the ground and in the air that day.
Whenever I think of air travel I remember the scene of Melissa McCarthy from Spy. When she is captured and taken in the private jet and the the lady villain explains to her about the private jet Melissa said I once travelled premium economy. That is the truth of air fliers. Since then I never expect much from air travel. Just get on the plane and get to your destination.
The first aircraft designed for Presidential duty was the C-54 used by FDR that became known as the Sacred Cow (because of all the security around it during wartime; officially it was supposed to be called the Flying White House). Truman called is VC-118 the Independence, and Ike’s two VC-121 Constellations were Columbine II and Columbine III. JFK didn’t bother to name 26000, and Nixon named the new 27000 The Spirit of ’76, but this was quietly dropped by Ford.
If this piece had been done in 2020 with Covid-19, everyone in the article would (should) be wearing masks. The cooks would be wearing complete medical PPE from head to toe. There would be protective plexiglass panes all over the place and there would pallets visible with hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes with handwritten signs saying “Limit 2 per person & No Returns”.