It's a very heavily modified 747; obviously regular 747s do not have this ability.
Oddly enough, I read an article claiming that the NEW AF1 (747-8) selected & designed by Trump (livery at least) will NOT have mid-air refueling capability.
It's a fairly reputable site I read that on, but it doesn't make any sense why they'd delete that crucial ability......
Probably refueling the fighter jets that had been keeping the airspace clear. Also inaug day so wouldn't be surprised if they had been in the air all night & morning, etc.
I'm not 100% positive, but honestly I wouldn't be surprised in the least if it was
Standard Operating Procedure to have at least one tanker in the air near AF1, just in case
as a backup, backup, backup contingency plan.
ESPECIALLY in light of the "transition" - this is a highly sensitive and dangerous time
when things are NORMAL.
Throw in our current state of affairs & it makes sense that everyone & everything is on high alert.
Again; JMO....
Gonna need a lot of fuel to stay insulated during the mission
Does AF1 have the ability to refuel mid-flight?
of course it does
100% confirmed it does.
It's a very heavily modified 747; obviously regular 747s do not have this ability.
Oddly enough, I read an article claiming that the NEW AF1 (747-8) selected & designed by Trump (livery at least) will NOT have mid-air refueling capability.
It's a fairly reputable site I read that on, but it doesn't make any sense why they'd delete that crucial ability......
Yeah seen it, and the 2 x T38 coming in from the right hand side.
wow you guys are responsive :)
what are T38s? I'm new to the world of planefagging.. i find it interesting!
The T38 are mostly used as training aircraft. That KC35 Tanker is heading South now.
awesome. thank you!
Yes, I'm wondering if that's actually what it is.
Unfortunately, seems like it stayed around dc and not following potus.
Tankers heading out Northbound prolly to a ARA.
Probably refueling the fighter jets that had been keeping the airspace clear. Also inaug day so wouldn't be surprised if they had been in the air all night & morning, etc.
I'm not 100% positive, but honestly I wouldn't be surprised in the least if it was Standard Operating Procedure to have at least one tanker in the air near AF1, just in case as a backup, backup, backup contingency plan.
ESPECIALLY in light of the "transition" - this is a highly sensitive and dangerous time when things are NORMAL. Throw in our current state of affairs & it makes sense that everyone & everything is on high alert. Again; JMO....
Maybe stupid question but can a plane as big as AF1 can refuel in air? It’s not like a fighter where you have only a few hundreds liters to transfer.
AF1 CAN air refuel. W had it done when he flew to Afghanistan
Thanks
Surely it can.
100% confirmed AF1 absolutely has the ability to refuel mid-air.
It's a very heavily modified 747; obviously regular 747s do not have this ability.
What does its size matter?
Air Tankers can hold a LOT of fuel; both for themselves and the aircraft they refuel.