Blog: Stomping in my Air Force Threes...
Stomping in my Air Force Threes
Okay, with all respect to Nelly, we kind of forced the lyric there to reflect the controversy surrounding "Air Force Three," "Pelosi One," or whatever you want to call the Trump-like request of the Speaker for an Air Force C-32 (also known as a 757) to ferry Mrs. Pelosi and entourage at a price tag of $22,000/hour.
The question is not whether the Speaker is entitled to an aircraft in a post 9/11 world, which she is and will get. Speaker Hastert used a plane to fly from DC back to Illinois. The question is whether she would get the bling she is asking for.
Here is what Speaker Hastert used:
C-21 (Lear Jet 35A)
The turbofan engines are pod-mounted on the sides of the rear fuselage. The swept-back wings have hydraulically actuated, single-slotted flaps. The aircraft has a retractable tricycle landing gear, single steerable nose gear and multiple-disc hydraulic brakes.
The C-21 can carry eight passengers and 42 cubic feet (1.26 cubic meters) of cargo. The fuel capacity of the C-21 is 931 gallons (3,537.8 liters) with refueling accomplished at ground level through each wingtip tank. The safety and operational capabilities of the C-21 are increased by the autopilot, color weather radar and tactical air navigation system, as well as high frequency, very high frequency and ultra high frequency radios.
The aircraft has a crew of two and may be flown from either cockpit seat. It is equipped with an automatic navigation system to enhance crew efficiency. Four cathode ray tubes display essential information to the pilots.
And what Speaker Pelosi wants:
C-32 (Boeing 757)
And here are the specs:
The C-32 is a specially configured version of the Boeing 757-200 commercial intercontinental airliner. The C-32 body is identical to that of the Boeing 757-200, but has different interior furnishings and 21st century avionics. The passenger cabin is divided into four sections:
* The forward area has a communications center, galley, lavatory and 10 business class seats.
* The second section is a fully enclosed stateroom for the use of the primary passenger. It includes a changing area, private lavatory, separate entertainment system, two first-class swivel seats and a convertible divan that seats three and folds out to a bed.
* The third section contains the conference and staff facility with eight business class seats.
* The rear section of the cabin contains general seating with 32 business-class seats, galley, two lavatories and closets.
Now, the C-21 which Mr. Hastert used can't make it all the way to California without refueling, so it is understandable that the C-21 would not meet Speaker Pelosi's needs.
However, there is another plane in the Air Force's fleet which can make it to California non-stop, AND IS NOT A CONVERTED 757.
Introducing:
The C-37A (Gulfstream V). Range: 6,300 miles
Just to put it all in perspective, you can buy a roundtrip from Washington (DCA) to San Francisco (SFO) leaving Friday, February 23, and returning the following Monday for $241 on Expedia.com.
We'll reserve comment on the global-warming-related issues on the 757.
http://boozman.house.gov/blog/?p=261