Airbus to Offer Obama a Superjumbo

UK Guardian ^ | Thursday 15 January 2009 14.12 GMT | David Gow

[444Flyer]

Now he can have an airbus to through the folks under.

[Paleo Conservative]

Don’t think so. IIRC, it requires a longer runway, restricting the number of places it can go by quite a bit.

It doesn't require long runways. It's taxiways that are the problem. The A380 can land or take off anwhere a 747 can land or take off. The problem is that in some cases all other aircraft movements at an airport might have to be stopped in order for "the One" move around the airport.

[null and void]

Ah. Thanks.

The problem is that in some cases all other aircraft movements at an airport might have to be stopped in order for "the One" move around the airport.

Something quite like that is probably already in place for security reasons.

[DoughtyOne]

Wikipedia states that we have had the Air Force Ones since 1990. I don’t think they went into service until Clinton became president, but I may be wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_One

At least one of them was retrofitted in October of 2007. They probably both were.

[Yo-Yo]

It would have enough room for Zero's extended Kenyan family.

[OB1kNOb]

I see Airbus learns Chicago politics quick. Pay to play.

[DoughtyOne]

That should have read, the 747 Air Force Ones...

[Paleo Conservative]

kingpins9 I thought Clinton took delivery of that plane in his first year as president. If so, the aircraft is 17 years old now. Gee how time flies when you’re getting screwed...

Wrong! both 28000 and 29000 were delivered in 1990 almost halfway into Bush 41's term.

[Non-Sequitur]

Airbus has won congressional friends, particularly in the south, by setting up plants in states such as Alabama and Mississippi.

Red states, blue president. Nuff said.

[null and void]

Post of the day. (so far)

[TommyDale]

This could be a blessing in disguise...

[DoughtyOne]

That sure seems strange. I know that’s what it says over on Wikipedia, but I could have sworn they weren’t used until Clinton took over. I guess my recollection is faulty.

[The Duke]

I totally support the idea of Obama flying in any aircraft made by union labor in a socialist nation.

[Boiling Pots]

“It’s not up to him, it’s up to the Secret Service.”

Airbus could just give them the 380 free, and it would pay in spades.

[Boiling Pots]

I think Air Force 1 usually lands on a military base (long runways), plus it wouldn’t require jetways that it would otherwise need to embark/disembark.

[conductor john]

Gee-wiz, I only opened up that stupid headline hoping to see some mouth-watering pictures of airborne bliss!

[Paleo Conservative]

That sure seems strange. I know that's what it says over on Wikipedia, but I could have sworn they weren't used until Clinton took over. I guess my recollection is faulty.

The press was hostile about the extravagance president Bush 41 and his use of the 747 Air Force One's even though they don't cost any more to operate than the old 707's. President Bush 41 used the built in air stairs in the cargo compartment to avoid having the whole 747 in the background of photos. Of course one BJ Clinton became president, the press loved the new Air Force One's.

[DoughtyOne]

Hey, was that a PC statement? LOL

Thanks for the reminder. I’m not sure why I am drawing a blank on that.

[ElayneJ]

Well, considering how much the inauguration will cost, why should he economize? No one will complain, apparently.

[stationkeeper]

Both VC-25’s went into service in 1989......shade under 20 years old but very low flight time and meticulously cared for.