Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7713 posts, RR: 55 Posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 14225 times:
Cos I read that even the old 707 AF1 had an escape pod. It makes a lot of sense, and wouldn't necessarily be difficult from an engineering standpoint, when you consider some of the other gadgets they have on board.
(Remember in the Simpsons when Mr Burns gets in his escape pod, and there's two seats, but he won't let Smithers in - "I need the legroom". Ka-boom.)
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
Sinlock From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 1532 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 14143 times:
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7713 posts, RR: 55 Reply 2, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 14120 times:
I know the movie Air Force One was complete crap, massive galleys the length of the plane's belly, a retractable ramp in the tail, god knows what else.
So definitely no little egg-shaped padded cell for Dubya, with parachute attached? In other words (and at risk of being investigated for asking such a sensitive question), if AF1 is going down, the Commander In Grief is going down too?
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
Dash8tech From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 732 posts, RR: 7 Reply 3, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 14058 times:
A friend of mine that used to work here at Horizon previously worked at Boeing and did some work on AF1...no, no Pod.
Usairways85 From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 3099 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 13965 times:
As much as it sounds like a rediculas thing to have, it very well may be there. It may be a classified thing where the people who have seen it or worked on it are not allowed to talk about it, i dont think the Gov't would want the entire world to know there's an escape pod. Although they had one in the movie so if the gov't let them produce that maybe it's not there.
Hmmmm... From Canada, joined May 1999, 2088 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 13914 times:
No one here can say for a fact that it does, or does not, because nobody could possibly know, for a fact, the answer to that question.
All you can do is postulate. I postulate in the affirmative.
Air Force One has two missions, 1) transport the president, and 2) protect the life of the president at all costs.
Considering the length the secret service goes to protect the president and the myriad of unseen measures taken, an escape pod would be a logical final line of defence. Keep in mind that there is a large cavity in the belly of a 747 that is not accounted for in public information known about the plane. I think it's safe to say that it is not filled up with the baggage of 400 tourists. Something is in that space.
An optimist robs himself of the joy of being pleasantly surprised
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7713 posts, RR: 55 Reply 7, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 13842 times:
Hmmm... has nailed the reason why I think there is a pod: "Considering the length the secret service goes to protect the president and the myriad of unseen measures taken..." Bingo. I mean, planes occasionally crash. I mean, if it can happen on JAL123, it can happen on AF1. So you'd think there would be something. Hmmm...'s observations about the layout of the plane and this mysterious unaccounted-for space are also interesting. Thanks for the replies all, btw.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
QWERTY From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 377 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 13815 times:
Pod or not, who cares.
But I'd venture to say there are always onboard at least a couple of Secret Service/Military types who are rated as tandem skydivers.
Iahcsr From United States of America, joined Jun 1999, 3308 posts, RR: 46 Reply 9, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 13814 times:
Keep in mind that such a pod would require some means of departing the aircraft. Unless said departure includes blowing out a section of fuselage
Then again.. That aft cargo door....... hmmmm...
Arsenal@LHR From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 7791 posts, RR: 23 Reply 10, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 13800 times:
Even if there was an escape pod, the public wouldn't know about it. The fact that the escape pod was shown in Air Force One (the film) leads me to believe that there could be one in real life.
CitationJet From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 2235 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 13793 times:
I worked on AF-1 as a Structural Engineer at Boeing Wichita, KS. I was never inside the aircraft, but I was in the hanger next to the airplane when it was being modified.
Both AF-1 aircraft were flown to Wichita after production in Seattle. In Wichita a new hanger was built to house the aircraft as it was modified. I was involved in meetings that discussed the modifications to the production 747-200 aircraft. These discussions included the dual APUs in the tailcone, the in-flight refueling system, the ground stairs that allow boarding from ground level, the infra-red counter measures (IRCM) pods mounted on each engine pylon, the medical equipment in the surgical suite, the qualification of the office equipment in the aircraft, and the ability to load a casket into the aft lower baggage compartment.
At no time did I ever hear of an escape pod. Watching the movie was the first time I ever heard of this.
The forward lower baggage compartment is utilized for ground entry to the aircraft using the ground airstairs. The aft baggage compartment is used for storage of the various equipment, including the necessary food and water supplies, baggage for the 86 passengers, etc.
Sunilgupta From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 770 posts, RR: 15 Reply 12, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 13770 times:
Of what use would such a pod be?
In the event of an emergency, the plane will try to land. Blowing out a pod with the prez inside puts the plane and the prez at more risk.
In the event of a catastrophic emergency, how is the prez to get into the pod in time? What is the guarantee that the pod can be safely ejected or ejected at all?
The pod is fiction. I've not been in AF1 but I've been close enough to it to know that there are no unusual doors on it other than the mods that Citationjet mentioned. Don't believe me? Look in Dorr's new book on AF1.
NWA From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 1200 posts, RR: 4 Reply 13, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 13766 times:
I dont know about a pod, but I am willing to bet that there are several parachutes on board. I find it hard to belive that there is no escape for the prez if the plane is going down.
23 victor, turn right heading 210, maintain 3000 till established, cleared ILS runwy 24.
Flybulldog From United States of America, joined Aug 2000, 365 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 13723 times:
How could you parachute out of a 747? I'd imagine that the rear entry door shown in the movie is equally impossible. Wouldn't the wind speed be too fast to even attempt an exit?
CitationJet From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 2235 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 13709 times:
As a reminder, AF-1 is not a particular aircraft, it is the call sign of any Air Force plane carrying the president. Just as Marine 1 is the call sign of any Marine aircraft carrying the president. So when the president is flying an Air Force Gulfstream, it is Air Force One.
I don't believe the Gulfstream would have an escape pod. Also the Gulfstream has only one entry/exit door on the front, left side of the aircraft. Exiting this door with a parachute would put you into the left engine.
AC320 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 13676 times:
Yes we're well aware that the callsign is AF-1 and not the plane, that's only been covered what 500 times here? However it is popular useage to refer to the presidential 747's as "Air Force 1" because that's how everyone recognizes them, and that's how it is being used in this case. Don't worry you'll have plenty of other opportunities to display your aviation wits.
CitationJet From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 2235 posts, RR: 3 Reply 18, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 13631 times:
Slightly off topic...
One of the two AF-1 747s flew into McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS on Tuesday of this week. Most likely for maintenance at Boeing Wichita facilities.
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8772 posts, RR: 13 Reply 19, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 13582 times:
I have seen the Air Force One/VC-25A (the 747 version) safety card, and there was no mention of an escape pod. I'm sure it would have had it on their if there was one.
Ben88 From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 1093 posts, RR: 3 Reply 20, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 13590 times:
hehe I don't think it would be on an emergency card then all the journalists would know about it and they can't keep their mouths shut.
Voodoo From Niue, joined Mar 2001, 1962 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 13512 times:
This thread gets me all nostalgic.....
Been on a tour at Andrews 10 years ago of the old VC-137 (707) AF1 and people were just joking about the fictional pod. (I also took a leak in one of the lavs in one of the Gulfstreams...sshhhhh!)
Apart from the AF1 film, there was also a pod in `Escape from New York', tho I prefered the shot/idea of landing a sailplane on the WTC roof...which is what I used to do on Flight Simulator when I wasn't crashing into it like most people, pre-911.
Clipper471 From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 726 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 13412 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW DATABASE EDITOR
An escape "pod" is not necessary. The Office of the Presidency is more important than any person that holds it. That's why there is a line of succession.
FrequentFlyKid From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 1201 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (10 years 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 13317 times:
Clipper makes a good point. The president isn't important. The Office of the President is what is importance. Continuity of government is what's key.
25 IMissPiedmont: "No one here can say for a fact that it does, or does not, because nobody could possibly know, for a fact, the answer to that question." Would you con
26 Hmmmm...: The president isn't important. The Office of the President is what is importance. Continuity of government is what's key. I disagree. If that were tru
27 Jwenting: As already stated an escape pod of some kind if extremely unlikely. The only US aircraft to feature one was the F-111 and in that one the entire cabin
28 Dash8tech: Very well said "Imisspeidmont". I have no doubt that my former co-worker that was previously at Boeing would lie about it. AF-1 has no escape Pod. Nuf
29 Hmmmm...: I disagree. An escape system would exist for the President, any family members, and a secret service officer or two. Nobody else. And if the design of
30 Kramri: No escape pod, but the seat cushion can be used as a flotation devise.
31 Aroundtheworld: All this talk of the plane being destroyed if you had any sort of "blow away" section or anything else that would permit an escape pod made me think
32 Elwood64151: First of all, "Air Force 1" refers to *any* fixed-wing aircraft carrying the President of the United States, not just an Air Force aircraft. "Marine 1
33 Ndege: *snips bunch of stuff about UA and AQ* Looks like that AQ ship had some other issues as well and this was an improvement. It would seem the slide didn
34 Jwenting: First of all, "Air Force 1" refers to *any* fixed-wing aircraft carrying the President of the United States, not just an Air Force aircraft. "Marine 1
35 IMissPiedmont: "Anyone who really had classified knowledge of any pod system, would not be at liberty to reveal such information under penalty of law." Somewhat true
36 RareBear: The B-58 Hustler supersonic bomber had individual escape pods for each of its three crewmembers. The pods were such that the crewmembers had to be "si
37 Garnetpalmetto: The B-1A also had the same type of ejection pod system that the F-111 had. The -B, however, reverted to standard ejection seats. Elwood - the S-3B Vik
38 HaveBlue: Also, the XB-70 Valkyrie, one of my favorites, had individual escape pods that ejected. On the fatal inflight collision between the XB and an F-104(Jo
39 PPGMD: is like knowing what is inside the deepest tunnels of Area 51. I would wonder what's down there too since, according to most credible accounts there a
40 MNeo: its really not logical to have a pod unless the president is in in the whole time. otherwise it a FATAL emergency happened there is no way in hell he
41 Jwenting: Valkyrie had no escape pods but rather special protective clamshell like devices mounted on the ejection seat which would have closed in the event of
42 AFHokie: Wow...talk about beating a dead horse....lol Seems to me that those that want to believe that there's a pod on the VC-25 will never be convinced other
43 Philsquares: Several years ago, just after Clinton was in office, I had the opportunity to tour AF-1. One of the pilots had gone through pilot training with me and
44 Duce50boom: Gentlemen, This horse may not be dead, but it's definitely asking for the pistol. Either AF1 (VC-25) has an escape pod or it doesn't. Ask any public a
45 L-188: I heard the retrofittled the shuttle attachment mounts from the orbiter ferry aircraft to the VC-25, so that if needed the president can go up in the
46 Duce50boom: So that's what those mounting brackets were for...... On a lighter note, I wonder how long it'll be before some member suggests that President Bush sh
47 L-188: I don't know about bush, but it is too bad we didn't do that with Clinton.
48 Jwenting: Clinton was so out there he wouldn't have noticed
49 SlamClick: Of course AF1 has an escape pod. And the hose on a refueling boom is big enough to climb down on a ladder. And isn't it amazing how much Harrison Ford
50 Itsjustme: I think someone should pose this question to that idiot over at 911letsroll.org. He's convinced there were missile pods on the two jets that crashed i
51 OPNLguy: >>>The military has enough trouble keeping totally cool things like alien ships, the formula for converting water to oil, and the Olson twins nude cen
52 EMBQA: Hey Boomer..... Just remember, the AF bought toilet seats for $600.00... Have you priced any aviation parts lately..? $600 bucks is about market..!! S
53 Duce50boom: OPNLguy, Yeah I heard. I'm giving them a year and 3 months until they're centerfolds show up in playboy. Although I'm praying that they'll actually ma
54 EMBQA: Duce- ....And how many Enlisted in the military get taken to work by 2 Officers...!! Lol..
55 Duce50boom: EMBQA, True that. But the downside is you get to suffer through all the "drivers in training". Both from the front end and the back end (so to speak).
56 JMChladek: Yes, success rates for pod ejection are pretty low. The one example of a B-1A ejecting a pod resulted in only a 50% success rate I believe as only one
57 Vzlet: By conventional logic, an escape pod in use would become "Air Force 1"!
58 Duce50boom: JMChladek, The SR-71 crewmembers wore "spurs" attached to the ejection seat not because of the slipstream at mach 3+, but the position of their legs a
59 David T: Considering what the general public (i.e. aviation people) do know about Air Force One such as the following: Missile defense systems; Communications
60 Advstol: My interest in AF-1 is from a scale modeling point of view, so anyone interested or would like to contribute feel free. I already have the two latest
61 Spacepope: Entertain this possibility: An escape pod does not really need an external opening. Since the VC-25 would probably be going down at that time, a shape
62 GDB: Haven't crap films really rotted some brains? Use your common sense and any real world (not Hollywood) knowledge you may have. Not that I have a visua
63 LMP737: GDB: Don't be to surprised. There are people out there who think the movie JFK is how it really happened. Same with that Kevin Costner movie about the
64 MarkATL: Okay people I think this needs to be said....The M-O-V-I-E "Air Force One" was F-I-C-T-I-O-N. This means that the contents of said movie were pure fan
65 SlamClick: Okay Spacepope I entertained the possibility. I entertained it for a minute or two then it began to entertain me. So something somehow gets past the c
66 Duce50boom: See how simple that is? Now I'm certain the VC-25 has an escape pod! If it's that easy, then why wouldn't they?! By the way, would they get to wear th
67 EMBQA: Ok, I have the final answer on this question......there is 'No' Escape Pod on the VC-25. Now, you would think after 68 Postings someone would get the
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