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Does the UK, France, Germany, etc., have an Air Force One?

Odie

Odie

Charter Member
I was just wondering after watching a special on AF1 if our friends across the pond have the same for their heads-of-state; and if so what kind of a/c are in use?

I haven't caught a news report here of late where they showed the airport arrival of another leader. With the G20 in swing, it got me to thinking.
 
The RAF used to fly the Royal family around, but now they fly scheduled flights, or charter their own private jet. Have a peek at the link. The queen did have her own private yatch, until it was retired in 1997 and is now a floating hotel in Edniburgh harbour.
I think the government agreed to the purchase of a small (12 seater) for domestic use, ie internal flights and for use of senior cabinet ministers.
Don't forget,the UK is smaller than many US states, so there is little need. That and the taxpayer would get mightily p1ssed off with funding such a luxury for so few privileged people through an accident of birth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._32_(The_Royal)_Squadron_RAF
 
I had Marine One (plus escort) fly over fly my house last week. I watched him (and her) board the heli live on CNN and forty minutes later, over they flew on their way to the Ambasador's residence at Regent's Park.

But no, our elected leader flies with the RAF or charter.

If I was PM I'd insist on a two seater Hawk!
 
sandar said:
The RAF used to fly the Royal family around, but now they fly scheduled flights, or charter their own private jet. Have a peek at the link. The queen did have her own private yatch, until it was retired in 1997 and is now a floating hotel in Edniburgh harbour.
I think the government agreed to the purchase of a small (12 seater) for domestic use, ie internal flights and for use of senior cabinet ministers.
Don't forget,the UK is smaller than many US states, so there is little need. That and the taxpayer would get mightily p1ssed off with funding such a luxury for so few privileged people through an accident of birth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._32_(The_Royal)_Squadron_RAF
Click to expand...

I thought that the Royals still used the Bae 146's? Didn't Prince Charles damage one whilst landing a couple of years ago?
 
Some nations do, some don't (they DO make good targets in spite of technology) but likely none as ostentatious as AF1. Remember that half the passenger load on most flights are the political hacks and media who fawn over them while enroute. Also a lot of the impetus behind the Air Force One concept came from the need to have access to nuclear command-and-control always available, even on political junkets so it escalated immensely after the days of the C-121. Travel distance and frequency also dictate some of the need.

France has had a variety over the years (DC-6, Caravelle, DC-8, Airbus), Mexico has a 757, a lot of third-world countries with rich leaders have some sort of flying palace. The Mid-east nations mostly have something special for the royalty. Canada used to have the C-5 (a DC-6/Northstar hybrid), then did the commercial charter, a Falcon 20 for short-range use and now use one of the Airbus' with a convertible interior. Actually some searching on the usual sites will find quite a few repaints for head-of-state aircraft.

Having special-use aircraft on standby is a significant expense that often waxes and wanes with the political will and/or the need to be ready to evacuate. National airlines, of course, favour the 'charter' method as it means short-term big revenues.

Rob
 
Ironically, it was a sitting Prime Minister (Winston Churchill) who pioneered the use of the airplane as a means of shuttle diplomacy.

Something not lost on Roosevelt and Truman w(Roosevelt used the airplane to avoid the U-Boat threat) who began the move to formalize the arrangement.

While much emphasis is place on the "Air Force One"...it's really the comms suite and the support behind it that gives the Pres the flexibility to travel.
 
kilo delta said:
I thought that the Royals still used the Bae 146's? Didn't Prince Charles damage one whilst landing a couple of years ago?
Click to expand...


32 Squadron at RAF Northolt, (north west London, just a couple of miles NE of London Heathrow), has Bae 146's, among other aircraft, but it is no longer part of a dedicated 'Royal Flight' If the aircraft are not wanted by the RAF, they may be available for use by the Royal family or senior government officials.

Thing were reorganised, I think, in 2006, so when Charlie bent a 'Royal Flight' Bae 146 it was still part of one of his perks, not now though.
 
Cuba's President has a Dedicated Il-96 at MUHA and at another nearby ICAO. Brazil also has a dedicated airbus for its leader.
 
The RAAF has a few Falcon 50 'Bizjets' in the VIP Flight IIRC, but nothing as a dedicated 'Head of Government' aircraft.
'Rudderless' seems to prefer commercial 'First Class' ............ IMNSHO one of our Hercs should be made available, 'Real World Travel'.
:jump:
 
Just comparision thesis but ive noticed on the America's side of the pond leaders here seem to have a dedicated AC of some type by about 75% where as the other parts of the world seem to have a charter class available to there leaders minus Russia who also has a Il-96VIP. Still tabulating the numbers and researching. Very intresting subject educationally.
 
I think NZ just uses a 757. Still a fun aircraft!

IIRC the Czech Republic has an A321 with a lovely colour scheme too.
 
When Obama flew in Air force One to the G20 summit in London, it landed at Stanstead EGSS (known as London Stanstead), which is north east of London. It doesn't have the VIP suite that Heathrow has, but Stanstead is, by far, a lot easier to secure than any other airport in the UK. He then flew in a US Marine helicopter into London, don't know where he landed though.

Most head of state/royal/official/state visiting VIP's flights take off and land at RAF Northolt EGWU. It is right next to the A40, which is one of the main roads into central London from the west. Unfortunately ,it must be a security nightmare for the same reason. Taking off into UK prevailing winds (SW) take very low flying aircraft right over the aforementioned A40
Any flight having a security problem will be diverted to Stanstead where the aircraft can be isolated and properly observed and managed.
 
6297J said:
But no, our elected leader flies with the RAF or charter.

If I was PM I'd insist on a two seater Hawk!
Click to expand...

I know of a 2-seater M-21 or Mig 23 that could be bought. He might have fun in one of those. :costumes:
 
pretty soon all of Europe will have a Air Force one! Just one aircraft in the whole airforce! Silly things theose airplanes. so energy inefficent they are.:ernae:
 
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