Air Force Ones

Hopefully these should shed some light on the subject. They’re links to photos of the VIP transports taken during the 2002 G8 summit that was held just outside my home town. Had to stifle a smile when watching the Canadian PM arrive in his Challenger jet when compared to the large machines used by other countries. Some of the highlights for those without the time to browse the links:

Russia: Ilyushin Il-96-300
Italy: Airbus A319-115/CJ
France: Airbus A310-304 Callsign: France Airforce 0021
Japan: Boeing 747-47C Callsign: Japan Airforce 001
US: Boeing VC-25A (747-2G4B) Callsign: Airforce 1
Germany: Airbus A310-304 Callsign: German Airforce 866
Spain: Boeing 707-368C(KC)
Canada: Bombardier Challenger Jet (not sure what version although 2 new 604s were just ordered to replace the current models so I’m guessing they’re older)

These photos are taken by the guys at airliners.net who deserve a lot of credit for the caliber of their photos:

Russia:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/295500/M/
Italy:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/270777/M/
France:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/264463/M/
Japan:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/264462/M/
Germany:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/264459/M/
Spain:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/262501/M/
US:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/264461/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/254959/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/254801/M/
Various:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/262300/M/

Further photos from the summit, taken on behalf of the Calgary International Airport, can be viewed at the link:
http://www.calgaryairport.com/media/photosH%20ASP/photos.asp?dir=g8&pic=1

@ Coanda ASCOT is used for all RAF aircraft transiting in Controlled airspace.

Originally posted by mongu
I once witnessed Prince Charles land his 146 at IOM. Very neat and graceful landing it was too!

Didn’t he severely knacker one as well a few years back trying to land with the wind at his tail ?

royal/ VVIP flights in the uk have the callsign ASCOT, and you have to look out for ‘purple’ flight plans and stay outside of the temporary airspace that these flights command…….

coanda

The Japanese Air Force 744’s call “Japanese Airforce One” and “Two” respectively.

or maybe just threatened it to Evian.:D

Indeed, and Blair was filmed at Evian getting out of a Puma of Armee de l’Air. Presumably a complimentary shuttle from Geneva?

Originally posted by tenthije
I thought that in those circumstances they added the nationality:

US Air Force 1
French Air Force 1
UK Air Force 1 (or just Blair Force 1?)
etc…

You forget one detail : French Air Force is called ….. Armée de l’Air

The Indian PM and Prez. use an old AI B742 reserved for them by AI. For domestic purpose they use an ancient B732. Although now they have BBJs on order.

I did see the Queen use a BA A320 once. I doubt it was in pasenger service though. Other than that I once witnessed Prince Charles land his 146 at IOM. Very neat and graceful landing it was too!

Same with Blair – he hires a BA B777, but there’s only him and his entourage on board. I suppose holidays are different to travelling to summits though.

So it seems that most countries don’t actually buy personal 747s for their leaders, except the US, Japan and the commies/oil countries.

When Tony Blair and family flew to Sharm-el-Sheik on Thomas Cook their was no special callsign.

I saw on Airport that the Aussie Prime Minister, when traveling to the UK to meet with Tony Blair, flew QANTAS. Nobody on board knew about it. He just got driven by car on the tarmac, up the stairs, and into the plane. I’m sure at that stage, some near the door knew. But no prior knowledge for obvious security reasons.

they wont all use “Air Force” as a prefix – i reckon countries – Dubai 001, China 001 etc.

“Air Force” will be a registered callsign with ICAO just sa Speedbird, Shamrock, American, Kestral are with the commercial carriers

We have three rickety shamfull B707, which have just been replaced by two A310.

Tony Blair seems to spend a lot of time on BA 777’s if you watch the news coverage of his travels.

Even the Royal Family like to be seen “roughing it” these days in sympathy for the travel arrangements of us commoners.

I think it is that if the president is on the plane it becomes air force one, of course this is just what i remember

I thought that in those circumstances they added the nationality:

US Air Force 1
French Air Force 1
UK Air Force 1 (or just Blair Force 1?)
etc…

Not necessarily, only if the US president is on an Air Force aircraft is the call sign “Air Force One.” The other branches use their own callsign for their aircraft. For example, the helicopter that brings the president to and from the White House is Marine One.

I remember asking a controller once what the callsign would be if the president was on a private aircraft. I remember it being a unique callsign but I can’t remember for the life of me what it was.

What do other countries actually use as the callsign for their Presidental aicraft. Obviously Air Force One is taken by the US and it would be somewhat confusing, say going to the G5 summit, when every inbound aircraft was referred to “Air Force One.”

Air force one is actually the callsign of any plane with the president onboard