8 Facts about Air Force One

Wednesday, December 3rd 2014. | Transportation

The official air traffic control call sign of the US Air force aircraft used to take the US president is explained in facts about Air Force One. The aircraft is specifically designed to transport the United States president. It is not only a mean of transportation but also a symbol of power, status and presidency in United States. Check out more facts about Air Force One below:

Facts about Air Force One 1: the idea for president transportation

In 1943, the idea to have specific military transportation for the US president arose. At that time, the Army Air force really concerned with the commercial airlines which took the president on board.

Facts about Air Force One 2: A C-87 Liberator Express

A C-87 Liberator Express was considered as the transportation for the president. But Secret Service rejected it because of the safety record. Check out facts about airplanes here.

Air Force One Flies

Facts about Air Force One 3: A C-54 Skymaster

The aircraft used for the presidential transportation for the first time was A C-54 Skymaster. People often called it as Sacred Cow.

Facts about Air Force One 4: the president who used it

The first president who was transported with A C-54 Skymaster is Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was an on plane when he wanted to come to Yalta Conference in February 1945. President Harry S. Truman used the plane for another two years.

Air Force One Image

Facts about Air Force One 5: the call sign

The call sign Air Force One was selected after an incident in 1953. At that time, a Lockheed Constellation Columbine II which carried the US president Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the similar airspace with the commercial airlines since both used the similar call sign. Therefore, Air Force One is used to create different call sign.

Facts about Air Force One 6: 3 Lockheed Constellations

Based on the record of Air Force One, there were 3 Lockheed Constellations used as the presidential aircrafts. Those were Columbine I, Columbine II and Columbine III in the end of 1950s. Find out facts about aircraft here.

Air Force One Parts

Facts about Air Force One 7: other types of aircraft

In 1960s and 1970s, there were two Boeing 707 used as the presidential aircraft. Since 1990s, it has more developed aircraft with specifically configured Boeing VC-25As and Boeing 747-200B.

Facts about Air Force One 8: Theodore Roosevelt

The first president who could fly in an aircraft was Theodore Roosevelt. He was onboard on 11 October 1910. At that time, he was not in the office anymore. The record of the first president to fly in an aircraft while in the office is Franklin D. Roosevelt.