THE FLYING WHITE HOUSE

by Pam North

The world's attention recently was focused briefly on Air Force One, as
President Bush took to the skies in the wake of the terrorist attacks on
the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  This "Flying White House" is
hardly an ordinary aircraft.

The term Air Force One actually does not describe an airplane, but
rather is a call sign used by any flight on which the president is
aboard.   Likewise, Air Force Two designates any aircraft in which the
vice-president is flying.  As presidents began to travel more
extensively, a custom-made plane for the president's exclusive use
became a necessity.  Two Boeing 707-320Bs (designated C-1137Cs by the
Air Force) were first introduced in 1962 during the Kennedy
administration.   The original paint scheme was designed at the request
of President Kennedy, who wanted the airplane to reflect the spirit of
the national character.  He also directed that the words "United States
of America' appear prominently on the fuselage, and that the American
flag be painted on the vertical stabilizer.  One of these original
aircraft bore President Kennedy's body back to Washington following his
assassination.

Two modified and specially configured 747-200B aircraft, bearing the
tail numbers 29000 and 29000, have since been placed into service by the
Air Force in 1990 and 1991, replacing the original aircraft.  The
modifications have created a 4,000-square-foot interior space which
features private quarters for the  President and First Lady, a
conference/dining room, and an office area for senior staff members.
Another office can be converted into a medical facility if needed, and
there are also work and rest areas for presidential staff, media
representatives and Air Force crews.  The airplane can carry up to 70
passengers and 23 crew numbers, including ground crew assigned to
maintain and service the aircraft while it is away from its
140,000-square-foot home base at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington,
D.C.

The airplane is equipped to be self-sufficient, with its own onboard
auxiliary power units to generate electricity and provide air
conditioning on the ground.  Specially-built air stairs are built into
the lower fuselage.  Two galleys can feed 100 people at a time, and
there's a smaller galley for the crew's use.  Substantial amounts of
food (up to 2,000 meals) can be stored.  Other amenities include  six
lavatories, more than 80 phones, and medical equipment in the event of a
health emergency.  A state-of-the-art communications system, with 85
telephones and multi-frequency radios, provides secure, world-wide
transmission and reception of air-to-air, air-to-ground and satellite
communication.

Its maximum takeoff weight is 833,000 pounds, and its maximum fuel
53,611 gallons.  Its range is 9,600 statute miles(or virtually unlimited
with in-flight fueling).  Its maximum cruise speed is 700 mph, and its
maximum altitude is 45,000 feet.

Air Force One is remodeled to suit the tastes of the president in
office.  President Truman's plane was painted to resemble a giant eagle,
with stylized blue feathers, cockpit windows that looked like eyes, and
a large, brown beak on the plane's nose (the beak was later repainted
yellow to keep the White House Press Corps from being tempted to
nickname the plane "Brown Nose").  President Lyndon Johnson had all the
passenger seats unbolted and turned to face the rear of the plane
(toward his compartment).  He also replaced the opaque wood divider,
separating his compartment, with plexiglass so that he could keep his
eye on everyone, and so they could see him.  The secret taping system he
installed ironically was removed later by President Nixon when he
assumed office.

Objects bearing the presidential seal abound on Air Force One, and are
routinely appropriated as souvenirs by those lucky enough
to be invited aboard.  President Carter's disdain for this practice
motivated him to replace the expensive engraved ashtrays, candy dishes
and wine glasses with plastic containers and paper cups.  Lyndon
Johnson's viewpoint was totally opposite; he provided plenty of
expensive trinkets for his guests to steal, finding it useful for people
to brag about having flown with him, and to have a souvenir to prove
it.  Johnson, on his last official trip aboard Air Force One returning
to Texas, reportedly stole nearly everything bearing the presidential
seal, including presidential china, silverware, cigarettes, cocktail
napkins, blankets, bedding, and even unbolted and removed his executive
chair.




Guerin and Laura.......

See the following for accompanying photos:

This one is for fun:
http://political humor.about.com/library/images/blbushairforceone.htm

These are photos of Air Force One:
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/af1/
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/af1photos.htm