Alaska737 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1056 posts, RR: 6 Posted (7 years 4 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9220 times:
since the current Air Force One is a 747-100, do you think that it will be updated anytime soon? could a 747-8 or A380 be in the hunt? i want your feedback on this. i think it is time to upgrade and i'm thinking the 747-8 is the right choice. i think the US should support an American company instead of going with Airbus (not that i dont love Airbus)
AirRyan From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 2530 posts, RR: 6 Reply 1, posted (7 years 4 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9222 times:
Current AF1 747's are the last 743's built before they went over to 744 production - and as little relatively speaking as they fly they are in no need off replacing any time soon,
EMBQA From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 9292 posts, RR: 12 Reply 4, posted (7 years 4 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 9214 times:
This question comes up every few months with the same basic answer... not for many years to come. If you try a search you may find one of several great threds on this topic....
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog"
Boeing Nut From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (7 years 4 months 18 hours ago) and read 9020 times:
Another reason is acquisition costs. The VC-25's are very expensive. I may be wrong, but I thought I heard somewhere that it cost more to configure the aircraft into "Air Fore One" than it did to buy the 742 in the first place.
I'm kinda with you on the asthetics stand point though, as much as I love the current VC-25, I's still love to see this...
One thing that I think you will see on the next "Air Force One" is that it will be much more than just a Presidential transport aircraft. The VC-25 already has major upgrades that take some of the load away from the E4-B's. The next aircraft will most likely be the 747-8. I think you will see the unusable overhead space on the current VC-25 will be used on the 747-8 to house electronic components from the E4-B to the point that the E4's could be obsolete. The "war room" would be in the extended hump and all the components would be in the "attic".
CX747 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 4385 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (7 years 4 months 16 hours ago) and read 8968 times:
I agree, the current 747-200s are more of a "shell" around a very sophisticated airframe. They do not have many hours and are superbly maintained. They will continue on for at least 2 more decades.
[Edited 2006-02-20 18:30:05]
"History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." D. Eisenhower
Dw747400 From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 1245 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (7 years 4 months 8 hours ago) and read 8835 times:
Quoting Boeing Nut (Reply 8): I think you will see the unusable overhead space on the current VC-25 will be used on the 747-8 to house electronic components from the E4-B to the point that the E4's could be obsolete.
The VC-25As are closer to the E-4s than you might think. I'll admit my sources may be a bit bias (the VC-25 crew) but it sounds like both are fully functioning command posts these days and the difference in C+C abilities in small to none. The E-4 looks like it may serve as an alternate command post for general officers or leaders other than the president.
Lehpron From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 7028 posts, RR: 22 Reply 12, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 8638 times:
Quoting Alaska737 (Thread starter): since the current Air Force One is a 747-100, do you think that it will be updated anytime soon?
These are not stock 741's from Boeing, they have been prepped bigtime. They will have clocked less hours than most airliners that flew the model, hence it's lifetime may not be reached for a while. If it was necessary to replace, it will be a Boeing or whatever other American company can put out when the time comes.
In a way I think a modified, lighter version of 772LR would be perfect as it will not need refueling and flight nonstop to anywhere in the world, President will not worry about the equivalent CASM.
If Boeing teamed up with Lockheed and Northrop, maybe the next AF1 will be a modified sonic troop carrier for quick hops.
The meaning of life is curiosity; we were put on this planet to explore opportunities.
DeltaGator From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 6341 posts, RR: 16 Reply 13, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 8613 times:
Quoting AsstChiefMark (Reply 10): Calling the VC-25A a 747-200 is like calling a Ford Police Interceptor a Crown Victoria.
IIRC they stripped off the -200 engines and hung the -400 engines off of them for extra power. They also have the glass cockpit instead of the analog gauges in the -200.
"If you can't delight in the misery of others then you don't deserve to be a college football fan."
Alaska737 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1056 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 8601 times:
Quoting DeltaGator (Reply 13): IIRC they stripped off the -200 engines and hung the -400 engines off of them for extra power. They also have the glass cockpit instead of the analog gauges in the -200.
Alaska737 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1056 posts, RR: 6 Reply 15, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 8601 times:
how easy would it be to add winglets to AF1????? out of the question or possibility???
GulfStreamGirl From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 203 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 8581 times:
Ummm i highly doubt there would ever be a such thing as a "Airforce 1 A380" no offence to the plane, but could you honestly see the President of the United States flying in a foreign built aircraft , LOLz , i think the new Airforce 1 will be a 747-8 ,when ever that happens
GulfStreamGirl
If it wasn't for women ...there would be no such thing as Man :o)
Confuscius From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 3652 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 8565 times:
"They also have the glass cockpit instead of the analog gauges in the -200"
SAM28000 & SAM29000 have EFIS, but not PFD/ND & EICAS instrumentation. Also, a fourth crew member--a navigator.
Civ4b2fan From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 40 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 8496 times:
Pope From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (7 years 3 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 8475 times:
Quoting Dw747400 (Reply 11): The VC-25As are closer to the E-4s than you might think. I'll admit my sources may be a bit bias (the VC-25 crew) but it sounds like both are fully functioning command posts these days and the difference in C+C abilities in small to none. The E-4 looks like it may serve as an alternate command post for general officers or leaders other than the president.
I read somewhere that as a result of deficincies discovered on 9/11 AF1's communications package was dramatically updated. From what I understand on 9/11 they couldn't get live CNN feed and other information that was readily available to everyone else in the country.
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