Airbus A380 as America's Air Force One?

Originally posted by jensy
The 380 is one damn ugly plane. I'm not saying the 747 is a work of art, but at least it demonstrates some level of design.
Whatever happened to the days when airliners has a level of sophistication. I remember when I was young flying on a viscount, now that was a beautiful plane....

Personally I find the 747 one of the ugliest things Ive ever seen, but to answer your question - 'sophistication' had nothing to do with the 747s design, as it was primarily the thought that the subsonic market was shortlived, so the 747 was designed to be easy to adapt to a freighter design, with roll on roll off nose loading.

The A380 was certainly 'designed', it was designed for economics. Looks dont pay the bills, unless you are a porn star.

Originally posted by planeman
Airbus already painted one in US livery as a sales ploy last year

No, they didn't - thats a modified photo.

Originally posted by RichardPrice

The A380 was certainly 'designed', it was designed for economics. Looks dont pay the bills, unless you are a porn star.

Indeed

Absolutley right on the 747, but that nose makes it distinct. The 380 just looks bland. Then again beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that.

Jensy

USAF starts public search for Air Force One replacement

www.flightglobal.com...

[edit on 13-1-2009 by deckard83]

reply to post by kilcoo316


I don't think that perceptions, impressions, symbolism or however one defines the president riding on a plane that is built by a company that is at least headquartered in America is necessarily a bad thing even though you did not define the idea as good nor bad. I realize some US companies (including Boeing) are choosing to have some parts of their products manafactured in other countries in the in interest of economics, diplomacy or a blend of the two.
I personally would like to see Air Force One remain an essentially US manafactured plane. Besides why would they need a larger plane anyway. It's not like the 747 is a Cessna 152 or anything! LOL Oh well there is my two cents..come to think of it they way the economy is these days it should probably be a nickle. Chuckle, chuckle. Cheers everyone. I personally am looking forward to having an individual with an IQ higher than a housplant in the Whitehouse for 4 or more years. ;-)

Jim

I don't think that the A380 would be the best choice for Air Force one, In the long run the president is probably waiting for A350 or B787 I think they'll be more appropriate, but who knows.. America is the home of "bigger is better"

The presidents plane should be an Boeing. Its a matter of national pride and there no way congress would want that hot potato of a A380 AF1

But ive been wrong before.

The 787 or the A350 would be too small for the AF1 role IMHO. If you are going for twins, the 777-200LR or the A340-600 would be beter choices int hat scenario.

Ill bet its going to be a a 747I

I think you will be proven right in the long run Fred. Its a shame that the president wont be ending up with the best and most impressive plane though.



I know the president has a 747, but the Queen went one better when several years ago she used to fly about in a Hawker Siddeley 748.



[edit on 15-1-2009 by waynos]

Originally posted by FredT
If you are going for twins, the 777-200LR or the A340-600 would be beter choices int hat scenario.


I'll bet its going to be a a 747I

I can't see them going down the route of twins... the secret service are notoriously tight arsed with security, and 4 is safer than 2 right?


I'd agree... the smart money would have to go on a 747-8 at this stage.

I don't see why you say the A350 is so small. It would have about the same number of seats in a 3 class seat config as a 747-200. the 350-900 the first one to be released will have 314 seats in that class config. I'd say thats pretty big.

The issue as you say, is that it's a twin engined aircraft.