The sight of Air Pressure One is one thing that People and aviation lovers the world over by no means tire of. Nonetheless, first, let’s tackle a typical false impression. The time period Air Pressure One doesn’t check with a selected plane. Quite, it is the call-sign designated to any United States Air Pressure (USAF) plane assigned the privilege of carrying the President.
Commercial
The commonest plane the President makes use of is certainly one of two Boeing VC-25A planes. These closely modified Boeing 747-200s are normally what we consider when the time period Air Pressure One is used and are undoubtedly a few of the most well-known USAF automobiles. The 2 planes are successfully cellular command facilities which are tasked with carrying the POTUS on his official duties. However simply how rapidly can they shuttle the President world wide?
One relatable manner we will have a look at that is to see how briskly a Boeing VC-25A can fly throughout the US. New York and Los Angeles are the proper cities to contemplate. On this occasion, the gap between New York’s JFK Worldwide Airport and Los Angeles Worldwide Airport is 2475 miles. To calculate this, we have to have a look at the airplane’s efficiency, however so as to add a little bit of spice to the combination, we’ll additionally have a look at how this compares to a comparative period business 747. Lastly, we’ll have a look at the way it’s anticipated to distinction in opposition to its forthcoming alternative, the Boeing VC-25B.
Commercial
Efficiency of Air Pressure One – present and future fashions
As famous, the VC-25A at present in use is a modified model of the Boeing 747-200. Whereas a lot of its upgrades concentrate on the inside and electronics—reminiscent of safety in opposition to electromagnetic pulses and anti-missile methods—some modifications instantly influence its efficiency. The 2 VC-25A planes entered official service in 1990. The VC-25A has with 4 GE Aviation CF6-80C2B1 turbofan engines, every one producing 56,700lbs of thrust, an engine that did not seem on the business variant till the introduction of the Boeing 747-300 collection. These engines gave the VC-25A a most pace of 630 mph and a spread of seven,800 miles with out refueling – greater than sufficient to fly continuous between New York and Los Angeles.
Commercial
To pretty examine its efficiency with its business counterpart, we’ll concentrate on the 747-200, the variant obtainable in 1987. This jet was powered by 4 GE CF6-50E2 engines, every able to producing 52,500 kilos of thrust. These gave the plane a most pace of 602 mph and a spread of 8170 miles. Lastly, let’s look forward and think about the VC-25B the alternative that may finally ship the present mannequin into retirement. These are based mostly on the Boeing 747-8I airframe and are powered by 4 GE Aviation GEnx-2B turbofans, every producing a most of 66,500 kilos of thrust. The plane has a most pace of 660 mph and a spread of 8,900 miles. After all, these figures pale compared when pitted in opposition to trendy jet fighters flying coast to coast however are nonetheless spectacular.
Commercial
What these numbers imply in flight instances
So, how lengthy will it take Air Pressure One to fly throughout America? First, we have to make a number of assumptions. Let’s rule out components like air site visitors and climate and assume that every airplane can fly at its most rated pace and may use the shortest route, i.e. 2475 miles. Let’s additionally disregard take-off and touchdown instances and assume that the flights are already on the right altitude and pace as they go over the cities. The jet stream can also be an element, usually flying west to east (Los Angeles to New York) will profit from this and vice versa when the route is reversed. Nonetheless, if we disregard this, we will get a median time for the journey that will be indicative of the plane’s efficiency beneath impartial circumstances. Bearing all this in thoughts, calculating the flight time is an easy equation, Flight Time = Distance/Velocity.
Commercial
Starting with the business variant, making use of the equation tells us {that a} Boeing 747-200 would do the journey in 4.11 hours—or about 4 hours and seven minutes. On the opposite finish of the dimensions is the Boeing VC-25B a modified Boeing 747-8, with a projected high pace of 660 mph, this model would fly throughout America in 3.75 hours (3 hours and 45 minutes). Lastly, let’s think about the present VC-25A, this iconic plane has a high pace of 630 mph. Working this determine by the calculation we discover that Air Pressure One can fly throughout the US in 3.93 hours – or 3 hours and 56 minutes. Not too dangerous for a airplane that is been in service for over three a long time.
