Check out the custom interior and cutting-edge
tech packed into the US premier’s private jetA
ir Force One is the call sign used to
designate aircraft specially fi tted out to
carr y the president of the United States
while on offi cial business. Currently two planes
carr y the A ir Force One name – both customised
versions of the Boeing VC-25A jetliner that have
been in ser v ice since 1990.
Appearing like a standard airliner on the
outside, Air Force One is in fact an incredibly
complex aircraft, decked out with a number of
hi-tech facilities that make it suitable for
carrying arguably the most powerful person on
the planet. Over its 372 square metres (4,000
square feet) of fl oor space, these include a
surger y-class medical bay, a communications
suite that can act as a command centre for
militar y operations, plus a fully equipped offi ce
with satellite phone and wireless internet
connection. There are also a hotel-st yle
presidential suite capable of housing the First
Family with ease, a press cabin for resident
photographers and journalists, a large
conference room, as well as a series of other
cabins for guests, fl ight staff and securit y.
A ir Force One is powered by four General
Electric CF6-80C2B1F turbofan jet engines,
which each deliver a substantial thrust of
around 25,500 kilograms-force (56,200 pounds-
force). Together, these grant A ir Force One a
maximum speed of 1,014 kilometres (630 miles)
per hour, which, when combined with its
cavernous fuel tanks, allow the president and
retinue to travel any where within a
12,550-kilometre (7,800-mile) range fairly
rapidly and without hav ing to refuel.
If for any reason A ir Force One needed to
remain airborne past that distance – for
example, in the event of nuclear war – then a
fuel top-up can be handled during fl ight, as the
VC-25A has a refuelling receptacle built in.
There are over 85 telephones and multi-
frequency radios on board, with a staggering
383 kilometres (238 miles) of electrical wiring
connecting all the various systems. Both the
fl ight deck and communications centre, as well
as ever y other electrical system on the aircraft,
are electromagnetically shielded to prevent
them from being taken out by electromagnetic
pulses generated by a nuclear blast.Transporting the US president is no
small task, requiring specialised aircraft
that can respond to a variety of different
threats and situations
On board Air Force One
A plane fi t for a president
Presidential suite
This has all the
amenities of a high-class
hotel room, allowing the
US premier and his
family to relax or sleep
during long-haul fl ights.President’s offi ce
Despite travelling, more often
than not the US president
needs to work while fl ying.
This is made possible by a fully
kitted-out offi ce area equipped
with satellite phone.Security
Members of the US Secret
Service follow the president
at all times, including on Air
Force One. They are
assigned their own cabin
and security positions
throughout the aircraft.Medical room
In the event of injury any
passengers on Air Force One can
be treated in a dedicated medical
bay by an on-fl ight doctor. It can
serve as a full surgery too.Crew
Air Force One has a large crew
of 26, including two pilots, a
fl ight engineer, navigator,
communications team and
security staff, among other
cabin attendants.AIR