Trump’s Frustration with Boeing Drags On
Once upon a time, presidents from Roosevelt onwards enjoyed the prestige of boarding Boeing planes for Air Force One travel. Fast forward to today, on the presidential runway sits a weary 747-200, waiting for a much-belated upgrade to something more 21st-century. That’s where Boeing’s two shiny new 747-8s were supposed to come in, if they weren’t stuck in a delivery queue until the next ice age or 2035, give or take a few delays.
Initially, the plan was simple: swap old for new with a pair of Boeing 747-8s set to retire the tired 747-200s aging none too gracefully since their debut in 1990. Enter Trump’s deal-making thumb: a handshake agreement with Boeing back in the day promised the White House two planes for $3.9 billion, gaze fixed on saving the taxpayers a cool $1.4 billion.
“President Trump has reached an informal deal with Boeing on a fixed price contract for the new Air Force One Program. Thanks to the President’s negotiations, the contract will save the taxpayers more than $1.4 Billion.”
Only one small snag! Boeing’s timetable seems almost in sync with galactic cycles, with adjustments to doors and electrical peculiarities dawdling like Sunday drivers. Boeing’s top brass forecasts completion only after a calendar flip to 2035, at a cost that’ll leave your jaw on the floor.
The New Plan: Securing a Backup Plan
Trump, who thrives on impatience, is saying no to waiting. Enlisting the underdog L3Harris, he’s fast-tracking a backup Air Force One from airfield to takeoff station. Sources suggest they’re pulling a once-Qatari 747-8 (13-years matured, naturally) as the phoenix bound for presidential glory.
Expected to slip on presidential airs this fall, this reinvention will pose as a third musketeer to complement its senior counterparts, serving as an understudy when the lead jets are under government-backed wrenches.
Tweaks are at warp speed, but rather curiously, this endeavor won’t be the full nine yards. Hold your breath, it’s not packing the full buffet of features the standard Air Force One jets flaunt. We’re talking a minimalist approach, with some security and tech choices left in the overhead bin.
Will Trump’s “Presidential” Design Make the Cut?
Now, who doesn’t love a nostalgic livery reveal? Trump’s designs – pitching something “patriotic” – aim to colour in this presidential bird with a dash of dash. Only catch is a perhaps unintended yet notorious dark blue that promises to roast those craft electronics to perfection with heat, a little detail that might mean more mod adjustments, more time, and an extra IRS return spent away.
Last we heard, Trump’s still dreaming of hopping on board with his designs as the dominant palette, taxing temperature modifications notwithstanding. In this game, even the paint job isn’t just superficial; it’s optics meeting functionality in a heated power play.
The Final Takeaway
After a decade of white-knuckling it, the aviation soap opera of two missing-in-action Boeing 747-8s persists. Meant to take the torch in 2024, these aviation celebrities-to-be are waiting in the wings – expected to finally make an entrance by the close of 2035.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is all set on rewriting airline history with an interim Air Force One, a reimagined Boeing 747 from Qatar. This loaner solution aims to hit the skies by fall but lacks the equipment for a true Air Force One experience. But a fresh lick of paint, some interiors worthy of a reality show, and voila – Trump’s out to make waves in a plane like no other.
What’s your take on this makeshift Air Force One setup? Do you think it’ll soar past expectations, or will it have wings of lead?