Brazilian Air Force One
| Brazilian Air Force One | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Presidential transport |
| National origin | Europe |
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Brazilian Air Force |
| Number built | 2 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | February 2023[1] |
| Developed from | Airbus A330-200 |
Brazilian Air Force One is the Brazilian Air Force call sign of the aircraft carrying the President of Brazil. On international flights the aircraft uses the Brazilian Air Force ICAO code BRS1 and callsign Brazilian Air Force 01. The Special Transport Group (GTE) is the unit of the Brazilian Air Force responsible for transporting the President, Vice-President and other senior government officials.
Main aircraft
The main presidential aircraft currently used to transport the President of Brazil provisionally are two military version Airbus A330-200s with callsign (FAB-2901 and FAB-2902) designated by the Brazilian Air Force as KC-30.
The presidency also uses two modified Embraer 190 jets, Air Force designation VC-2, christened as "Bartolomeu de Gusmão" and "Augusto Severo", for presidential travel within Brazil and South America. The Brazilian Air Force purchased the aircraft on 2 June 2008 to replace the two Boeing 737-2N3 (VC-96) that were previously used for short-range presidential transport. The aircraft is configured with special communications systems, a private presidential office and a meeting room. It has the capacity for carrying 40 passengers with a range of over 2,500 miles.[2]
Other aircraft
Along with the VC-1A and the VC-2s, 21 other aircraft are part of the fleet:
- Two VIP-configured Eurocopter EC725 (VH-36) presidential helicopter.
- Two VIP-configured Eurocopter Super Puma (VH-34) presidential helicopters.
- Two VIP-configured Embraer ERJ-145 (VC-99C) aircraft.
- Ten Embraer ERJ-145 (C-99A) jets.
- Three Gates Learjet 35 (VU-35) jets.
- Two Eurocopter EC135 (VH-35) helicopters
The VIP fleet is stationed at Brasília Air Force Base (BABR) and operated by the Special Transportation Group (GTE).[3]
Former aircraft
Former aircraft used for transportation of the President of Brazil:
| Quantity | Aircraft | Photo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | Lockheed Lodestar VC-66 |
 |
1942–1962 Purchased by President Getúlio Vargas. First presidential aircraft.[4] |
| Two | Vickers Viscount VC-90 |
 |
1956–1967 Purchased by President Juscelino Kubitschek to replace the VC-66. It was nicknamed "Cafona" (Corny).[4] |
| Two | BAC One-Eleven VC-92 |
1968–1976 Purchased by President Costa e Silva. First jet aircraft used for the transportation of the President in Brazil.[4] | |
| Two | Boeing 737 VC-96 |
 |
1976–2010 Purchased during the administration of President Ernesto Geisel as replacement for the VC-92. It was nicknamed "Sucatinha" (Little Scrap).[4] |
| One | Boeing 707 KC-137 |
 |
1986–2005 Purchased by President José Sarney and served the Presidency until its replacement in 2005 by the Airbus A319 ACJ. It was nicknamed "Sucatão" (Big Scrap).[5][4] |
| One | Airbus A319 ACJ VC-1A |
 |
2005–2024 Purchased by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and served the Presidency until its retirement in 2024. It was nicknamed "Aerolula".[6][7] |
Timeline
A319 replacement
Since October 2024, the federal government through Ministry of Defence, is in process to select a replacement to the Airbus A319ACJ that was in operation since 2005. The models discussed are ACJ versions of the Airbus A350, A330neo and A320neo families. The requirements include long-range capability, high-speed internet and communications for direct and uninterrupted contact with the capital Brasília, aerial refueling capability, similar to the American Air Force One presidential jet, among other specific requests to meet national security standards.[8][9][10][11]
See also
References
- ^ "Lula dispensa 'Aerolula' e voa aos Estados Unidos no maior jato da FAB" (in Portuguese). O Estado de S.Paulo. 10 February 2023.
- ^ Embraer provides Embraer 190 jets to Brazilian Government[permanent dead link] Embraer. Retrieved on 31 January 2009.
- ^ "Grupo de Transporte Especial". História da Força Aérea Brasileira (in Portuguese). 6 January 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Do "Cafona" ao "Sucatão", Brasil já teve seis aviões presidenciais; veja modelos e curiosidades". CNN Brazil (in Portuguese). 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Presidência vai aposentar o "Sucatão"". Folha de São Paulo (in Portuguese). 15 January 2004. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
- ^ "Lula anuncia compra de aviões após passar horas rodando em círculo durante pane". Terra. 10 October 2024.
- ^ "Lula quer escolher novo avião presidencial ainda neste ano". CNN Brazil. 15 October 2024.
- ^ "Processo de compra de novo avião presidencial deve levar pelo menos um ano, diz Múcio". Airway. 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Airbus estipula prazo para a entrega de um novo avião a Lula". Aero Magazine. 4 November 2024.
- ^ "Lula quer novo avião presidencial com reabastecimento em voo, algo que apenas os EUA possuem". Aero Magazine. 6 November 2024.
- ^ "[COLUNA ESPLANADA] Lula autoriza compra de novo avião presidencial". Mossoró Hoje. 11 November 2024.
External links
- Brazilian Air Force VC-1A technical stats and photos (in Portuguese)
- Spotter: Grupo de Transporte Especial Information and photos (in Portuguese)
- Defesa Brasil: FAB 001 VC-1A and VC-2 information and photos (in Portuguese)
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