Air Force One

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.

Other government official aircraft

No other mode of transportation for government executives is as well-known as Air Force One; most nations, even industrialized ones, do not maintain a separate aircraft for heads of state and government, although most have a military "VIP fleet" that provides aircraft when senior government officials must travel (for example, the Royal Air Force used to have a Queen's Flight, but it has since merged with the No. 32 Squadron).

Related Topics:
Royal Air Force - Queen's Flight - No. 32 Squadron

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Japan maintains two 747-47C (2-1101 and 2-1102) aircraft for the Prime Minister, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and other Goverment Officials via the JASDF. The planes share an almost similar scheme like Air Force One: Japan spelled out in Katakana and English on the fuselage, a Red Stripe painted across the windows from nose to tail, and the "Rising Sun" Red Dot Flag on the tail and both wings.

Related Topics:
Japan - JASDF

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A Boeing 707-328C XT-BBF, operated by Naganagani, is used to transport the President of Burkina Faso.

Related Topics:
Naganagani - President of Burkina Faso

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2002, the Royal Australian Air Force acquired two new Boeing Business Jets fitted with facilities such as conference tables, offices suites, secure satellite and communication capabilities for use by Australian officials, especially the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Governor-General. The two planes also had a range capability more than that of other Boeing Business Jets. Prime ministers regularly use the jets for both domestic and international travel.

Related Topics:
2002 - Royal Australian Air Force - Boeing Business Jet - Australian officials - Prime Minister - Minister for Foreign Affairs - Governor-General

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The aircraft are also made available to the British royal family when in Australia (such as Charles, Prince of Wales in 2005). The planes are operated by the No. 34 Squadron RAAF (which also operates a number of smaller VIP aircraft), based at Fairbairn Airbase, Canberra. The prime minister previously flew in custom-configured Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707s that were larger than the 737s currently in use.

Related Topics:
British royal family - Australia - Charles - Prince of Wales - 2005 - No. 34 Squadron RAAF - Fairbairn Airbase - Canberra - Boeing 707

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A used Boeing 767 was purchased by the People's Republic of China government for use by President Jiang Zemin in 2000. An international incident occurred in 2001 when the government claimed it had discovered 27 bugs embedded in the aircraft's interior; the plane had been refitted in San Antonio, Texas.

Related Topics:
Boeing 767 - People's Republic of China - President - Jiang Zemin - 2000 - 2001 - Bugs - San Antonio - Texas

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brazil has had presidential aircraft since 1941, when Getulio Vargas purchased a Lockheed Lodestar. In 1959, president Juscelino Kubitschek replaced it with two Vickers Viscounts. In 1967, Artur da Costa e Silva acquired a BAC-111, which was used until 1976, when president Ernesto Geisel replaced it with two Boeing 737-200. In 1986, president Jose Sarney purchased a Boeing 707, which was known as Sucatão (Big Junk). The 707 was used until May of 2003, when president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva replaced it for a brand new Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliner, which despite being officially named Santos Dumont, is called Aerolula, in reference to the president's nickname.

Related Topics:
Brazil - Getulio Vargas - Lockheed Lodestar - Juscelino Kubitschek - Vickers Viscount - Artur da Costa e Silva - BAC-111 - Ernesto Geisel - Boeing 737-200 - Jose Sarney - Boeing 707 - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliner

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Argentina operates a small fleet of aircraft and helicopters for the use of the President, his family and senior government officials. This group is known as Agrupación Aérea Presidencial (Presidential Air Group), and belongs to the Argentine Air Force, but comes under the administration of the Casa Militar ("Military House"), the department responsible for Presidential security and transportation. The current Presidential fleet includes a Boeing 757 popularly known as Tango 01 after its military registry, "T-01" (the "T" stands for "Transport", and is pronounced "Tango" in the NATO Alphabet), a Rockwell Sabreliner, a Fokker F28 and two helicopters, one Sikorsky S-70 and one Sikorsky S-76. Tango 01 has been at times an object of political contention (even a campaign issue during the 1999 Presidential elections), since many politicians and media commentators decry the aircraft as an unnecesary luxury; while others point at the discretion with which the plane is used by several Presidents, their families and their friends and allies for non-official purposes.

Related Topics:
Argentina - President - Argentine Air Force - Boeing 757 - NATO Alphabet - Fokker F28 - Sikorsky S-70 - Sikorsky S-76

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~