Mercedes Mullins
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign for a US Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. The term is commonly used to refer to the primary presidential aircraft, VC-25, or any Air Force aircraft the president travels on. The cost of operating Air Force One has been a topic of interest, with figures released by the Air Force in 2017 showing a cost of $142,380 per flying hour. This includes fuel, flight consumables, aircraft overhaul, and engine overhaul. While the exact amount of fuel burned by Air Force One is not publicly available, a Boeing 747, which is similar to the VC-25, burns approximately 1 gallon (about 4 liters) of fuel per second or 5 gallons of fuel per mile.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | Boeing VC-25As |
| Fuel Type | Jet A, Jet A-1, Aviation gasoline (AVGAS) |
| Fuel Consumption | 1 gallon/second |
| Fuel Consumption (10-hour flight) | 36,000 gallons |
| Fuel Consumption per mile | 5 gallons/mile |
| Fuel Cost per hour | $142,380 |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel efficiency of Air Force One alternatives
The cost of operating Air Force One has been a topic of interest for many years, with Judicial Watch filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in 2014 to uncover the costs of flying and maintaining Air Force One for President Barack Obama. While the exact figures are not readily available, it is known that the cost of operating Air Force One had decreased to $142,380 per flying hour as of 2018.
The high cost of operating Air Force One has led to the development of alternative fuel sources and technologies to improve fuel efficiency. The Air Force is actively pursuing new technologies to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and improve engine efficiency. This includes exploring alternative fuels such as biomass, recycled paper, and cardboard, as well as the use of renewable jet fuel.
One example of an alternative fuel source is the University of Maine's process of turning recycled paper and cardboard into jet fuel, which was awaiting aviation certification in 2018. This method involves treating organic material from plants and animals under high temperatures and pressures to create jet fuel. According to Mittal, these fuels can be generated from a range of sources, including waste oils and agricultural products, which are readily available globally.
Additionally, the Air Force is working on improving engine design and analyzing jet fuel use to optimize performance and reduce fuel consumption. They are also exploring different methods of washing down engines to enhance their efficiency.
Furthermore, the Air Force is investing in newer aircraft models, such as the Boeing 747-8 VC-25B, to replace the aging VC-25A fleet. The new aircraft are expected to be more fuel-efficient and cost-effective in the long run, despite the high initial cost of the replacement program, which was projected to be around $3.2 billion in 2016 and has since increased.
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The cost of operating Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control-designated call sign for a US Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. It can be used to refer to any Air Force aircraft the president travels on. Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two highly customised Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A) aircraft.
The high cost of presidential travel is due to the complex and highly orchestrated nature of the endeavour, which often involves motorcades, airplanes, helicopters, and a comprehensive security entourage. Additionally, it is standard practice for two identical versions of Air Force One to accompany the president on important trips, in case one requires repairs. This practice nearly doubles the cost of flying.
While the exact fuel consumption of Air Force One is not publicly available, it is likely to be significant. A Boeing 747, for example, burns approximately 1 gallon of fuel every second, or 5 gallons of fuel per mile. Over a 10-hour flight, this equates to approximately 36,000 gallons of fuel. The fuel costs for Air Force One are included in the overall flying costs, which also encompass flight consumables, aircraft overhaul, and engine overhaul.
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The fuel type used by Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control-designated call sign for a United States Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. The aircraft that carry this call sign have changed over time, and so the fuel type used by Air Force One has also changed.
The first aircraft to be designated Air Force One was a Lockheed Constellation, which entered service in 1954. This aircraft was powered by four Wright R-3350 Turbo-Compound engines, which were capable of burning a variety of fuel types, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
In the 1960s and 1970s, three Boeing 707s were introduced as the primary aircraft for Air Force One. These aircraft were powered by turbojet engines, which typically burned jet fuel.
Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A) aircraft. These aircraft are powered by four GE CF6-80C2 high-bypass turbofan engines, which are designed to burn jet fuel.
The next-generation of Air Force One aircraft, the Boeing 747-8s (VC-25B), are set to enter service in 2026. While the engine type for these aircraft has not yet been announced, it is likely that they will also use jet fuel as their primary fuel source.
In addition to the primary fuel type, it is worth noting that Air Force One aircraft are also capable of using a range of other fuel types, including military-grade fuels and alternative fuels, depending on availability and operational requirements.
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Historical changes in Air Force One fuel efficiency
Air Force One is not a specific plane, but an air traffic control call sign for any Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. The first designated presidential aircraft, a C-54 Skymaster, was introduced in 1944. Dubbed the Sacred Cow, it was operated by the Army Air Force and carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in February 1945.
Since 1990, the presidential fleet has consisted of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A) aircraft. The VC-25As are aging, with less efficient GE-CF6 engines, and the cost of maintaining their 30-year-old airframes has begun to surpass the cost of acquiring new aircraft. In 2015, the Air Force announced that the Boeing 747-8 would be the next Air Force One aircraft, with an estimated total cost of $3.2 billion. However, by 2019, the projected cost had increased to $5.2 billion.
The cost of operating Air Force One has fluctuated over the years. In 2014, Judicial Watch, a conservative activist group, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain records about the costs of flying and maintaining Air Force One for President Barack Obama. Four years later, the cost to operate and maintain Air Force One had decreased to $142,380 per flying hour. This was also lower than the cost during President Trump's administration, despite Trump's higher overall spending.
The Air Force has made efforts to improve its aviation fuel efficiency. In 2018, it was noted that the Air Force is the largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense. The introduction of newer aircraft, such as the 747-8s (VC-25B), is expected to improve fuel efficiency, with the new planes set to enter service in 2026.
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The number of planes required for a presidential trip
Air Force One is the official air traffic control-designated callsign for a US Air Force aircraft carrying the president of the United States. It is not a specific aircraft but rather the callsign of certain aircraft when the president is on board. The president must fly on DOD aircraft, and any Air Force aircraft carrying the president is designated Air Force One.
The first presidential flight was taken during World War II, and since then, there has been a series of presidential aircraft, including the current Boeing VC-25As. The presidential fleet consists of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A) aircraft. The USAF has ordered two Boeing 747-8s to serve as the next presidential aircraft, designated VC-25Bs, expected to enter service no earlier than 2026.
In modern times, the main aircraft flown by the US president are specialized jet airliners and helicopters. Helicopters often take off from the White House lawn. Presidents have also travelled by rail, car, boat, and horseback.
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Frequently asked questions
Air Force One is an air traffic control call sign, not a plane. Any Air Force aircraft carrying the president is designated Air Force One. A Boeing 747, which is the type of plane that has been used as Air Force One, uses approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second. Over a 10-hour flight, it might burn 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres).
The cost to operate and maintain Air Force One was $142,380 per flying hour as of 2018. This is a reduction from the cost in 2014.
In 2018, President Trump spent $17,224,938.46 on travel in a four-month period. This is considered extravagant, even by White House standards.
