Boeing VC-25A

Type (Muster)
Presidential air transport (Präsidentenflugzeug der USA)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Boeing Defense & Space
PO Box 3999
Seattle, WA 98124
USA

Phone: 001-206/773-0530
Fax: 001-206/773-4261

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 10 (inclusive back up) plus three specialists for the communications equipment plus 10 service personnel
Passengers (Passagiere): 70

Power plant (Antrieb): 4 x General Electric CF6-80C2B1 turbofans
Thrust (Schub): 4 x 56700 lbs (252,4 kN)

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 70,66 m
Height (Höhe): 19,33 m
Span (Spannweite): 59,64 m

Weights (Massen)
Max. fuel (max. Kraftstoffkapazität): 202940 l
Max. zero fuel weight (Max. Masse ohne Kraftstoff): 238820 kg
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 374850 kg
Max. landing weight (max. Landemasse): 285770 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (max. Geschwindigkeit): Mach 0.95 / 1120 km/h
Ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 13145 m (45100 ft)
Range (Reichweite):15360 km (8348 NM)
Take-off distance (Startstrecke): ca. 3080 m

Customers (Kunden)
The US Air Force operates two VC-25As at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington D.C. under the command of the 89th Airlift Wing (an Air Mobility Command asset directly assigned to the 21st Air Force).

Costs (Kosten)
In 1986 Boeing got a 262 million US-Dollar fixed price contract for the modification of two 747-200Bs to VC-25A standard. Due to technical difficulties, real costs were allegedly doubled, so that the company had to absorb a huge loss. A new hangar was built at Andrews for 50 million US-Dollars, and 100 million went into spares and logistics.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
After the long-serving VC-135Cs of the VIP fleet at Andrews got old and much too loud for the more stringent noise rules of the 80s, the Air Force went about planning for a new presidential aircraft. The Jumbo Jet was selected in 1995 over the DC-10, and a contract was let with Boeing in 1986. After conversion work a the companies Wichita facility, he first VC-25A rolled out of the hangar in September 1989.
Following intensive ground tests, the aircraft took off on January 26, 1990, with Boeing test pilot Paul Bennett and Air Force Major Ray Johns at the controls. About 40 Air Force qualification and performance flight tests were conducted, as well as flights for the civil FAA certification.
Handover of the plane (tail number 28000) occured on August 23, 1990, and then president George Bush first used the new "Air Force One" on a trip to Topeka (Kansas) and Tallahassee (Florida) on 6. September 1990. The next day, a flight to Helsinki followed. The second VC-25A, tail number 29000, was delivered on 23. December 1999.
Major features of the VC-25A compared to a standard 747-200B are:

in-flight refuelling capability with receptacle in the nose
extensive communications equipment with lots of antennas feeding multi-frequency radios. 85 telephones are installed and wiring is 283 miles long.
Self-contained airstairs and cargo loaders
two galleys to prepare 100 meals at a time, with underfloor storage for 2000 meals
cabin arrangement with a suite for the president as well as a presidential office; conference/dining room, VIP compartment, also to be used for medical emergencies; sections for White House staff and news media; crew rest facilities.

Last updated November 8, 1997

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