by Mark Silva
The question often comes up when the president travels to political events (such as the fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Phoenix yesterday) en route to presidential events (such as today's commencement address at the Air Force Academy in Colorado).
What's all this cost, and who's paying?
The White House splits political costs and official costs between the campaigns or political parties it is supporting and the government.
But on this week's presidential trip, in light of the escalating cost of fuel, the press secretary was asked:
"Does it still cost $68,000 an hour to operate Air Force One?''
"I have no idea,'' Press Secretary Dana Perino replied.
The Air Force, whose 1,000-plus new academy graduates the president will greet today, has a pretty good idea what the cost of fuel is doing to the cost of doing business. Every $10-per-barrel boost in the price of crude oil adds $610 million in annual operating costs, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said this month.
The Air Force's bill for aviation fuel was about $6 billion in fiscal 2007, Wynne told a defense industry group. He declined to predict what the total would be for 2008.
"We are very concerned about the instability in oil prices because it wreaks havoc on how we manage our flying-hour program across the Air Force, just as it is wreaking havoc on the pricing statistics for an airline," Wynne said.
The Air Force, with 19,000 pilots operating 5,700 aircraft as well as unmanned aircraft, has launched an ambitious drive to reduce its reliance on foreign oil. Wynne says the Air Force hopes to certify by 2011 that its entire fleet of bombers, fighters, transport planes and other aircraft could fly on a domestically produced 50-50 blend of synthetic and petroleum-based fuel.
Hybrid bombers?
Perhaps the most widely known flagship of the fleet is "Air Force One,'' which happens to be whatever aircraft is carrying the president. There are two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's -- tail numbers 28000 and 29000 - assigned to the task. The Air Force calls them VC-25A's - the big difference between these aircraft and the basic 747 being its navigation and communications equipment and capability for in-flight refueling.
With four General Electric jet engines, each capable of 56,700 pounds of thrust, the bird can fly at 630 miles per hour (Mach 0.92) and run 7,800 miles without that in-flight refueling or fuel stops. It also weighs 833,000 pounds.
So, yes, it costs a lot to get it off the ground and keep it there.
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Comments
Remember all the articles about President Clinton's use of Air Force One to go to political events...with one legitimate stop on the way, of course. No, neither do I.
Posted by: Devon | May 28, 2008 7:38 AM
If Mr.Bush (can not call him president)
Is going to do such as" the fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Phoenix yesterday"
he should NOT use the the jet for personal political events.
II can not wait until BUSH is out of the whitehouse. American is going to hell in a handbasket.
Posted by: Channa | May 28, 2008 8:52 AM
The political party and the cammpain should reimburse the federal goverment for all expenses when ever the presedent or vice presedent travels for the benifit of themselves or any one else. this should also apply to when the presedent sitting in office runs for reelection
Posted by: jeff hill | May 28, 2008 8:57 AM
Yeah you are absolutely right. He should use a private jet and have no command and control capabilities over our armed forces for that time. Heck if there is another 9/11 we can afford to have the Commander in Chief out of communication with all the national agencies for 15 hours. His job requires he be in constant communication. Why should the RNC or DNC have to pay for that. Clinton did the one-stop tactic so the DNC would not have to pay a single dime back.
Posted by: Frank Drachman | May 28, 2008 10:09 AM
This is dumb... Its Air Force One. The cost of a B2 bomber is 2.5 billion dollars... What do you expect. If you looked at the cost of the military that are here training it is much more than this airplane
Posted by: Joe | May 28, 2008 10:30 AM
What American Revolution!!? We are still carrying "royalty" on our backs!! When did we arrive at this point in our history, that our politicians and other famous people are entitled to special privileges and treatment? Who pays for this royal treatment, either of the politicians or the rich and famous? We do, by tax write-offs and other schemes. Let them all carry their own weight and let's knock off this, squadron of bodyguards for our politicians !!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | May 28, 2008 11:50 AM
What is the cost of having it sit in a hanger? Not like you call up the pilots 2 hours before take off, the crew and support are all paid the same where ever the aircraft goes or doesn't go. The people working on the equipment are not stored in a freezer to be thawed out only for use during flights. This is a partial story that is pathetic journalism. There is no base line of comparison.
I hear it when the B2's fly over stadiums. If they were not flying over the stadiums for games they would be making the same flight hours somewhere else sheltered away on an airbase.
Posted by: David | May 28, 2008 12:04 PM
I agree if he is going to use it for political fund raising trips then the candidate or sitting Pres sure as heck should reimburse you and me our tax dollars we spent on the trip (pay the operational costs bill at least!)
My website is all about figuring operating costs for aircraft - where are our reimbursements Mr. McCain?
http://www.what2fly.com
Posted by: will | May 28, 2008 12:17 PM
Remember all the articles about President Clinton's use of Air Force One to go to political events...with one legitimate stop on the way, of course. No, neither do I.
Posted by: Devon | May 28, 2008 7:38 AM
I despise Bush but agree that this is a stupid, non-issue.
That said, Devon, perhaps you remember what it was like when the Federal gov't ran at a surplus, even after paying to fly the POTUS around. I do. It was when Clinton was POTUS.
Posted by: a blinkin | May 28, 2008 5:17 PM