747 at BKL
Oct 27, 2012 | 7:31 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ft Worth, TX
Programs: AA, HH
Posts: 451
That's a C-32 (Boeing 757) in the photo. The president uses it often on shorter trips. SAM (Special Air Mission) can place a bunch of different aircraft at the disposal of the Executive Branch and Cabinet -- not only the 747 and 757 but 737s (C-40s) and Gulfstreams (C-37s). The VP, Secretaries of State and Defense, the First Lady, etc. all use these aircraft. As many have pointed out, you may think "747" when you hear Air Force One, but any SAM aircraft carrying the president is Air Force One.
The interesting question for SAM is how to replace its two VC-25s (747-200s) when they reach the end of their service lives in a few years. They date from the early days of the first Bush administration which means they're going on 25 years old. The Air Force has always specified four-engine aircraft for longhaul over-water presidential transport, but the Boeing 748 and Airbus A380 are the only two candidates, and the 748 is an apparent market dud that may not be on offer much longer.
The interesting question for SAM is how to replace its two VC-25s (747-200s) when they reach the end of their service lives in a few years. They date from the early days of the first Bush administration which means they're going on 25 years old. The Air Force has always specified four-engine aircraft for longhaul over-water presidential transport, but the Boeing 748 and Airbus A380 are the only two candidates, and the 748 is an apparent market dud that may not be on offer much longer.
Oct 27, 2012 | 8:43 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,574
That's a C-32 (Boeing 757) in the photo. The president uses it often on shorter trips. SAM (Special Air Mission) can place a bunch of different aircraft at the disposal of the Executive Branch and Cabinet -- not only the 747 and 757 but 737s (C-40s) and Gulfstreams (C-37s). The VP, Secretaries of State and Defense, the First Lady, etc. all use these aircraft. As many have pointed out, you may think "747" when you hear Air Force One, but any SAM aircraft carrying the president is Air Force One.
The interesting question for SAM is how to replace its two VC-25s (747-200s) when they reach the end of their service lives in a few years. They date from the early days of the first Bush administration which means they're going on 25 years old. The Air Force has always specified four-engine aircraft for longhaul over-water presidential transport, but the Boeing 748 and Airbus A380 are the only two candidates, and the 748 is an apparent market dud that may not be on offer much longer.
The interesting question for SAM is how to replace its two VC-25s (747-200s) when they reach the end of their service lives in a few years. They date from the early days of the first Bush administration which means they're going on 25 years old. The Air Force has always specified four-engine aircraft for longhaul over-water presidential transport, but the Boeing 748 and Airbus A380 are the only two candidates, and the 748 is an apparent market dud that may not be on offer much longer.
Oct 27, 2012 | 10:05 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,811
The VLA passenger-config market is pretty limited, and the A380 has cornered 85 percent of it to date.
Oct 27, 2012 | 10:17 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
Airbus had put out statements saying they aren't willing/interested in being an option for AF1. The requirements by the Secret Service make it too unappealing. Boeing 748 seems to be the best/only option.
Orders for the 748i are lower than expected but the performance experience by LH has been great. Lower than expected operating costs for more people and the ability to go where A388 can't go is a possible big draw for airlines uninterested in the A380.
The 748i is in the works to be cleared at some airports a 744 can go but an A380 can't. EWR and DEL/BOM are just a few to be mentioned.
Orders for the 748i are lower than expected but the performance experience by LH has been great. Lower than expected operating costs for more people and the ability to go where A388 can't go is a possible big draw for airlines uninterested in the A380.
The 748i is in the works to be cleared at some airports a 744 can go but an A380 can't. EWR and DEL/BOM are just a few to be mentioned.