Trump Administration Reveals New Air Force One
There is a new bird in the sky representing the U.S. The Trump administration recently unveiled the latest iteration of Air Force One, with the president calling it "the world's most luxurious plane." Why was a new airplane needed, and how does this version differ from its predecessors? Here is everything that you need to know about the new Air Force One.
Details of New Air Force One
President Donald Trump revealed his latest ride on Friday at Joint Base Andrews. The president was overtly proud of the latest aircraft in the fleet, showing off the various features and upgrades to the media. Trump showed off both the interior and exterior details of the plane, making special note of the change in the color accents and design on the fuselage.
The president was shown descending from the plane on red-carpeted stairs. When speaking to a group of airmen gathered on the tarmac, Trump said that he liked the color of the American flag, saying that it "makes sense" to change the hue from the previous robin's egg-blue to what he called a "much better" and "more appropriate look." While Trump said that he liked the baby blue, his team thought it was "time for a change."
The previous light blue color scheme had been designed by former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The distinctive hue had been used on the presidential fleet since that time.
The fuselage now features a navy blue and white color scheme, along with red stripes. The American flag on the tail also has a new look. Trump explained that the designers put a bit of a wave in the flag to get rid of what he called the "straight little noodle."
Critics of the president noted that the changes to the overall exterior of the plane make it look similar to Trump's personal jet. The new aircraft was donated by the government of Qatar, also sparking criticism from the left. The White House played down the optics of a potential ethical and legal conflict that comes with accepting a gift valued at about $400 million from another country.
Although Qatar handed over the luxury jet to the Pentagon last year, the Air Force has been working since that time to prepare it to the president's liking. According to the Pentagon, the latest jet will bridge the gap between the two aging Boeing 747-200s that have been used as Air Force One since 1990, and two new planes that will not be ready to fly for about two years. These two planes are currently being retrofitted by Boeing; however, this process takes time.
President Trump had reportedly not been happy with the delay in the retrofitting process. And so it was that Qatar stepped in and offered to donate the jet.
The Air Force said that its goal was to prioritize "mission over aesthetics" after it took control of the jet. The president was pleased with the state of the aircraft when the Qataris handed it over, frequently praising the quality of the workmanship.
Some members of the media were offered a tour of the president's latest ride. Reporters noted the lie-flat leather seats, tan carpeting, and gold fixtures. One new addition was the presidential seal that is now affixed on the seatbelts.
According to the Air Force, the cost of the modification package will be just under $400 million.
What Will Happen to the Old Planes?
The two planes that will soon go into retirement have been around the block quite a few times. The pair of 35-year-old planes have served as the primary aircraft for both George Bushes, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. These planes have flown millions of miles around the world, privy to sensitive conversations, press conferences, and more.
The Trump administration wants to use the planes as museums, putting them on display for Americans to tour. Past Air Force Ones have seen this same fate over the years. The largest collection of former presidential aircraft is currently on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Visitors to the museum can tour four of these planes.
The biggest question now is when the president will take his new plane out for a spin. The Air Force confirmed on Friday that the aircraft would begin commissioning flights shortly. These commissioned flights are intended to serve as the final test runs for the aircraft.
The president said that he plans to fly in the new plane to Mount Rushmore prior to the July 4 celebration of the nation's 250th birthday. The Trump administration hopes to see the new plane flying over the U.S. Capitol on Independence Day itself.
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