VC-25A - Air Force One
The mission of the VC-25A aircraft -- Air Force One -- is to provide air
transport for the president of the United States. The presidential air
transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's --
tail numbers 28000 and 29000 -- with the Air Force designation VC-25A. When
the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the
radio call sign is "Air Force One."
Principal differences between the VC-25A and the standard Boeing 747, other
than the number of passengers carried, are the electronic and communications
equipment aboard Air Force One, its interior configuration and furnishings,
self-contained baggage loader, front and aft air-stairs, and the capability
for inflight refueling.
Accommodations for the president include an executive suite consisting of a
stateroom (with dressing room, lavatory and shower) and the president's
office. A conference/dining room is also available for the president, his
family and staff. Other separate accommodations are provided for guests,
senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel, and the news media. Two
galleys provide up to 100 meals at one sitting. Six passenger lavatories,
including disabled access facilities, are provided as well as a rest area
and mini-galley for the aircrew. The VC-25A also has a compartment outfitted
with medical equipment and supplies for minor medical emergencies.
These aircraft are flown by the presidential aircrew, maintained by the
Presidential Maintenance Branch, and are assigned to Air Mobility Command's
89th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
The first VC-25A -- tail number 28000 -- flew as "Air Force One" on Sept. 6,
1990, when it transported President George Bush to Kansas, Florida and back
to Washington, D.C. A second VC-25A, tail number 29000 transported President
Bill Clinton and former Presidents Carter and Bush to Israel for the funeral
of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The VC-25A will usher presidential travel
into the 21st century, upholding the proud tradition and distinction of
being known as "Air Force One."
VC-25 aircraft are extensively modified B-747-200s with the basic airframe
technology of the 1960s. The aircraft incorporates state-of-the-art avionics
and communications equipment with Stage III compliant engines. Boeing is
currently delivering B-747s throughout the world, so the logistics support
base appears secure for the foreseeable future. With the continuing march of
technology and the prestige attached to the U.S. Presidential airlift fleet,
Air Force plans recommend a system review date of 2010. At this point, the
aircraft will have been in service 20 years, and commercial operators will
have retired their B-747-200s counterparts from front-line service.
Specifications
Primary Function Presidential air transport
Contractor Boeing Airplane Co.
Power Plant Four General Electric CF6-80C2B1 jet engines
Thrust 56,700 pounds, each engine
Length 231 feet, 10 inches (70.7 meters)
Height 63 feet, 5 inches (19.3 meters)
Wingspan 195 feet, 8 inches (59.6 meters)
Speed 630 miles per hour (Mach 0.92)
Ceiling 45,100 feet (13,746 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight 833,000 pounds (374,850 kilograms)
Range 7,800 statute miles (6,800 nautical miles) (12,550 kilometers)
Crew 26 (passenger/crew capacity: 102)
Introduction Date Dec. 8, 1990 (tail No. 28000); Dec. 23, 1990 (tail
No. 29000)
Date Deployed Sept. 6, 1990 (tail No. 28000); Mar. 26, 1991 (tail No.
29000)
Inventory Active force, 2; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Wright" <jwright@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 2:32 PM
Subject: Re: VC-25 at Boeing Everett
> It's not a VC-25, it's a VC-25A!!!
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark" <mgreenwood@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 11:10 AM
> Subject: Re: VC-25 at Boeing Everett
>
>
> > On a slightly different note, why is the model a VC-25 when all it is,
is
> > basically a specially outfitted 747-200?
>