Special Air Mission 28000 arrives in Midland

[CAPFlyer]

You should have tried to invite the former president over to join the C.A.F... I bet he has plenty of time for a hobby now.

Actually I'm pretty sure he already is. I remember seeing a blurb about CAF Pres. Steve Brown presented (then) Pres. Bush and the First Lady honorary CAF Colonelships. His father is either an honorary Colonel or a life member, can't remember which.

That is one of the things that Steve has really changed with the CAF, he's trying to get more and more of those "big wigs" onboard one way or another. Heck, we've now got Mr. Clay Lacy as a member of the CAF General Staff. Next thing you'll know, he'll be the Chief of Staff...

[jetmech]

Would you believe the Air Force is already looking at replacing the current planes (747's) used for Air Force One. They want the first plane flying by 2017 and two more to follow...

Remember those "birds" are almost 20 years old now and by 2017, they'll be pushing 28.

These two aircraft while somewhat low time are getting to be a lot harder to keep at 100% FMC. The Regs. detail what the requirements for the new aircraft are and one thing is that the airframe has to already have a reliable service history. That is why the 747-200 was picked and not the -400 which had just come into service prior to the contract being made. No problem now in that the -400 has been around long enough. Airbus will compete but the chance of congress approving anything except a 777 or -400 is remote. The -400 is the logical follow on.
I have had the pleasure of being on 29000. She is a beautiful machine, and from a maintenance perspective, likely the best maintained acft in the sky...

[Randy Wilson]

Gary said I could add some more photos of 28000 landing at MAF the other day, shot by CAF High Sky Wing member Chris Aycock from the second floor view deck of the Commemorative Center at CAF HQ.


Our longest runway 16R/34L (9501 ft) was closed for repaving so 28000 touched down on 28 (8302 ft) with a bit of a right crosswind.






I was a bit surprised to see how long the pilot held the nosewheel off but we don't see a lot of 747s here at MAF.


With everything gathered up, the next challenge is the taxi back to the main ramp on our taxiway Alpha, which takes the jet right in front of our viewing point.


Note that even the inboard engines are over the grass and dirt. We haven't had much rain in Midland this winter and the grass is very dry.




Again, thanks to Chris Aycock for sharing his photos and allowing me to post them here.

Randy

[bdk]

Interesting that the thrust reversers were deployed right at touchdown on the mains.

[CAPFlyer]

That's actually pretty standard for AF1 unless they have a really long runway. As for keeping the nose up - as heavy as they are, he was probably doing some aerobraking to keep from using the brakes which tend to be kinda "rough" in slowing the plane compared to using aerodynamics and thrust reverse. They try to keep the landings as smooth as possible and usually do a very good job of it.

[bdk]

New Presidential pilot takes his seat

When President Barack Obama took the oath of office on Tuesday, he already had a presidential pilot in place. Col. Scott Turner took his seat in the Boeing 747-200, known as Air Force One when the President is on board, just days before President Obama was sworn in as the 44th president.

Turner assumed command of the Presidential Airlift Group during a ceremony at Andrews Air Force base on Jan. 16 that was attended by Leanne Caret, general manager of Boeing’s Global Transport and Executive Systems.

"I feel like a football coach who has been given a team that just won the Super Bowl. Everyone in this hangar, from those in a blue uniform to our partners at Boeing, understands the quest for perfection; you are all winners," said Turner as he assumed command. "The events of September 11 shaped Presidential travel for the last decade. Collectively we have embraced communications as our weapon system. Together we transformed a platform designed for Head of State travel to one that supports the Commander in Chief."

Turner went on to say he is ready to carry on the mission from the cockpit of Air Force One.

"I look forward to this opportunity; it is one I believe I am ready for…it is one that will challenge us as we shape presidential travel for decades to come. I look forward to continued successes with the Boeing Company."

Col. Turner replaced Col. Mark Tillman who is retiring after serving as President Bush’s pilot during both of his administrations. Tillman piloted the President more 1.3 million miles on the heavily modified Boeing 747. Boeing employees were there every step of the way to make sure the mission was a success.

"Our employees who support Air Force One know how important it is for this mission to be a success," said Caret. "It is an honor to work with Col. Turner as he continues the tradition of a no-fail mission for the new administration and shapes the Presidential Airlift fleet for generations to come."

Boeing has been providing support to the presidential fleet for more than 50 years. Global Transport & Executive Systems, a subdivision of IDS’ Global Services & Support business, supports other executive aircraft including the E-4B, C-32, C-40 as well as the E-6.

And also National Geographic Channel is having this documentary on Air Force One on January 25th:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/s ... Overview23