Air Force One would take the honors if the Presidency had a logo. It was constructed and designed to be an intimate and noticeable presence wherever it flies or sits. It’s difficult to get the plane confused with another, as it’s clearly labeled with the words “United States of America,” with a picture of the American flag and the Seal of the President of the United States. Its blue color is certainly eye-catching and was chosen thanks to President JFK’s love of the color blue.
The airplane must always keep up its appearance because it is a symbol of America and the president who is riding in it. The status of the plane is also a symbol of the United State’s military and economic power and strength and is unrivaled for the most part.
The "IT" Factor
While many people assume that AFO is one plane, it's actually really a name. Whatever plane the President is flying in is called AFO. However, the president doesn’t always fly on airplanes. If the President is flying in an Army aircraft, it takes on the name Army One. And, if he's in a helicopter, it's called Marine One. So Marine One is the radio call sign for a Marine Corps helicopter that is transporting the president.
Lockheed is building six new helicopters for Marine One, and the first is expected to enter service in 2020. Helicopters in the Marine One fleet have ballistic armor and anti-missile defenses. Their pilots are from Marine Helicopter Squadron One, and they are known as the Nighthawks.
Twins
There is not one plane that can define "Air Force One." That being said, there is still one plane that is almost identical to the Boeing plane that carries the President around the world. There are only minor differences between the two planes (if you don't know much about planes they will seem the same to you), but they are both extremely large aircraft.
How big? They both stand over six stories tall, which is a whole lot taller than many other planes we know. The Air Force One has got to be the greatest of all. Air Force One. The best (number one) a man can get.
Custom Ride
Air Force One is a shared collaboration between three key parties: The White House, Secret Service, and Boeing. It needs to be produced up to the standards of Boeing, have the safety measures ascribed by the Secret Service, and have the operational efficiency set forth by the White House.
The purchase of a plane can be made only in the second term of a current president so that president can’t just use the plane they chose. Could you imagine every new president choosing a new plane, changing design and decor? We don't think so. They have more important things to take care of.
Half-Way
This one knocks us out of the park. We know that planes can fly us across oceans. But, for the AFO, the plane can fly halfway across the world. That's around 12,000 miles. To reach such an endeavor, the plane can carry around 52,000 gallons of fuel. With a full tank, that's enough fuel to get it halfway around the world.
Air Force One is an impressive piece of equipment, but it is not the only one. Have a look at this list of the world's most impressive presidential airplanes, their amazing features, and how much they cost.