RAF pilot is to become first non-American to fly Air Force One
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RAF pilot is to become first non-American to fly Air Force One
This is simply amazing and I wish this Officer all the very best of luck for what is undoubtedly one of the most high profile and stressful flying jobs on the planet. This is great news for the RAF!
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/13...24QwdT1UJfjWs8
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/13...24QwdT1UJfjWs8
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And why not? We’re on the same side, apparently.
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Sources say the officer, who has not been named, will begin his attachment by flying or co-piloting some of the other aircraft in the fleet before being placed on the reserve list for Air Force One.
'Air Force One'' is of course, a callsign for when the POTUS is onboard any U.S. Air Force aircraft. Not a specific aircraft type, as it is often incorrectly applied exclusively to the VC-25.
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I suppose the cynic in me sees it as the RAF now see it as safe for him to get a 747 rating now BA are getting rid of theirs 
seriously though, congratulations to the individual involved
seriously though, congratulations to the individual involved
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VC25 yes, AF 1 not so sure
Perhaps eventually fly VC25 2800 or 2900, but when POTUS is onboard (callsign Air Force 1) not very likely to be allowed to handle the controls. Unless done for diplomatic purposes and even then I would be somewhat skeptical.
Now, I am a bit pedantic and it does irritate me a tiny bit to see 'Air Force One' used incorrectly.... but it's the media and we should be grateful they managed to list aircraft types that actually exist.
'Air Force One'' is of course, a callsign for when the POTUS is onboard any U.S. Air Force aircraft. Not a specific aircraft type, as it is often incorrectly applied exclusively to the VC-25.
'Air Force One'' is of course, a callsign for when the POTUS is onboard any U.S. Air Force aircraft. Not a specific aircraft type, as it is often incorrectly applied exclusively to the VC-25.
If true, well done for whoever it's to be. But I'm surprised at the 4 decades/1971 bit - I went to the States in 1970 and there had been others on Exchange for many, many years before that. And as it's apparently a new post, I wonder what the quid pro quo is to be over here?
If true, well done for whoever it's to be. But I'm surprised at the 4 decades/1971 bit - I went to the States in 1970 and there had been others on Exchange for many, many years before that. And as it's apparently a new post, I wonder what the quid pro quo is to be over here?
Straightforward explanation Is exchange posting say to the likes of 89th AW and with that special privileges , TS clearence to fly occasionally the VC-25 pair.
Kind of reminding me of opening sequence of Moonraker with Flt Lt (albeit with Nav Wings co Piloting the SCA)
Kind of reminding me of opening sequence of Moonraker with Flt Lt (albeit with Nav Wings co Piloting the SCA)
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Oh, it is...
I know for a fact that the 757 has flown over my head carrying the President and the First Lady not too long ago. They were taking off from my local airport and were followed by other world leaders, including Her Majesty the Queen. I was on my way home at the time and couldn't be there to photograph the event.
The runway isn't long enough to safely support a 747.
Is dual citizenship possible as an RAF officer? I would have thought that if he has US citizenship in addition to U.K. , that would go a long ways towards smoothing the path to flying AF One ?
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For an RAF Pilot, yes. For an Intelligence Officer (for example), absolutely not. The RAF Recruitment website is pretty clear on what is accepted for each branch.
I presume the Intelligence branches and trades are the exceptions and not necessarily the rule, probably because of the large amount of UK Eyes Only information they will be dealing with throughout their career. I'd imagine the ISR field of the multi-engine stream would be off limits to a Pilot who holds, or has held, a dual nationality, as well... but that's just speculation on my part.
