18 Things You Didn't Know About Air Force One!

Air Force One, the official plane of the President of the U.S.A., was a major topic of discussion during Obama's visit to Athens last November. But there are many things you don't know about this aircraft! Many of us may have seen the film with Harrison Ford as the U.S. President on board this plane, but how much does it actually relate to reality and the real Air Force One?

This article includes 18 things you didn't know about the safest and most technologically advanced aircraft on the planet!

Floors

Like a typical Boeing 747, Air Force One has three decks. The President usually boards and disembarks from the middle deck, while journalists board from the stairs at the back. For security reasons, they never use the main entrance!

Mini Hospital

What happens if the President suddenly falls ill on a long journey? The plane has a mini hospital with all necessary supplies, as well as blood units for the President (just like in his armoured limousines).

371 square metres over 3 floors!

If you think the U.S. President would be cramped, you're quite wrong! 3 available floors for him and 371 square metres in total!

Full Security

The plane can stay in the air for days and can even 'survive' a nuclear explosion! The supplies on board are sufficient for about 1 month.

Speed up to 650 miles per hour!

Air Force One can reach speeds of up to 650 miles per hour – unlike conventional 'fast' planes that reach up to 580 miles. It has even reached 700 miles an hour on several occasions!

Mid-air Refuelling!

Air Force One can be refuelled mid-air at up to 35,000 feet! This allows it to remain continuously in the air in case of danger.

Can survive a nuclear situation!

In the event of a nuclear attack, Air Force One is not a bad place to be! The aircraft's body is designed to withstand even a ground-to-air missile attack!

Has 2 kitchens

You're probably familiar with the small galleys at the back of a classic aircraft. On Air Force One, things – here too – are different! 2 large kitchens are ready at any time to prepare meals for 100 people!

85 (!) available telephones

Not one or two, but 85 available telephones are on Air Force One. Imagine everyone talking at once, on the same level of the plane..

Equipped as a spy plane!

In 1959, it was equipped as a spy plane! The Cold War had just ended, but the CIA's security had fitted the plane with cameras that could read number plates from a distance of 29,000 feet!

Command centre against terrorist attacks

Air Force One is equipped with all technological advancements. Besides its physical capabilities, the U.S. President can use it as a command centre as if he were in his office!

Priority at airports

Air Force One has priority over other planes and doesn't worry about airport traffic. Usually, traffic at commercial airports is halted when Air Force One lands or takes off. Often, the plane lands at military airports to avoid getting caught up in the chaos of civilian airports.

96 people on board!

Air Force One may be a huge plane, but it cannot accommodate hundreds of people. Nevertheless, it can comfortably host 96 people in its specially designed areas.

There are numbered seats

Each White House administration has its own rules regarding Air Force One. However, almost always, seats are numbered for journalists, the President's team, and his security detail.

Production cost of 600 million dollars

The production cost of this aircraft reached 600 million dollars! A record amount for aircraft construction.

56 thousand dollars for one hour of use!

Every hour the plane flies, it costs the U.S.A. 56,000 dollars!

350 kilometres of cables inside

You can understand how complex the plane's systems are from the fact that it has cables covering a total distance of 350 kilometres!

Always a doctor on board

As we mentioned above, there is always a doctor in the medical facility. This specific doctor is always close to the President in case his help is needed.

What do you think of Air Force One? Would you want to fly on it once if you had the chance, as a lifelong dream?