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| VC-1A "FAB 001" | |
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| Role | Presidential transport |
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
| Introduced | 15 January 2005 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary user | Brazilian Air Force |
| Produced | 2004-2005 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Unit cost | R$156 million |
| Developed from | Airbus A319 |
FAB 001 is the Brazilian Air Force call sign of the aircraft carrying the President of Brazil. Since 2005 the "Special Transport Group" of the Brazilian Air Force has in its fleet this specifically configured Airbus A319 tail number 2101 as the main presidential aircraft. On international flights the aircraft uses the Brazilian Air Force ICAO code as BRS01 and callsign BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE 01. The aircraft is popularly known as "Aerolula", in reference to the President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who ordered it.
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Cabin configuration and security
Officially named "Santos Dumont" it differs from standard A319 in features and security configuration. The cabin is divided into three separate sections. The first section (near the cockpit) is the presidential area of the aircraft, configured with a private office, a presidential suite, a meeting room and a security office. The middle section is configured with first-class seats reserved for authorities and senior staff. The rear section is configured with 20 business-class seats reserved for journalists and other passengers. The aircraft is also equipped with an Intensive Care Unit, three galleys and satellite communications.
The aircraft was designed to serve as an airborne command post, allowing the president to fully conduct his duties from the air in the event of political instability or armed conflict. For that purpose, the plane is equipped with a number of military defense capabilities, such as anti-aircraft missile countermeasures and a Radar Warning Receiver. To guarantee the protection of classified and sensitive information, the aircraft is linked with the "SISCOMIS" (Brazilian Military Communications Satellite) which can be used to transfer data, image and voice between the aircraft and Brasília.
Specifications (VC-1A)
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Data from Brazilian Air Force[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 12 (2 pilots, cabin crew)
- Capacity: 40 passengers
- Length: 111 ft (33.8 m)
- Wingspan: 111 ft 10 in (34.1 m)
- Height: 38 ft 7 in (11.7 m)
- Wing area: ft² (m²)
- Empty weight: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 166,500 lb (75,500 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric CFM56-5 turbofan engines, 27,000 lbf (120 kN) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: .82 Mach
- Range: 3,700 nm (4,300 mi, 6,800 km) unrefueled
- Service ceiling 41,000 ft (12,000 m)
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Other aircraft
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. Along with the A319 ACJ, 21 other aircraft are part of the fleet:
- Two VIP-configured Boeing 737-2N3 (VC-96) used for presidential travel within Brazil.
- 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.
- Two Helibrás HB-355 Esquilo (VH-55) helicopters.
- Three Gates Learjet 35 (VU-35) jets.
The VIP fleet is stationed at Brasília Air Force Base (BABR).
Former aircraft
Other aircraft used exclusively for transporting the President of Brazil:
- A Lockheed C-66 Lodestar (VC-66) was the first presidential aircraft, acquired in 1941 during the term of President Getúlio Vargas.
- Two Vickers Viscount (VC-90) were bought in 1954 by President Juscelino Kubitschek to substitute the VC-66.
- Two BAC One-Elevens (VC-92) were acquired by President Costa e Silva in 1968. They were the first jet airplanes used for presidential transport in Brazil.
- Two Boeing 737 (VC-96) were purchased in substitution of the VC-92s, during the administration of President Ernesto Geisel, in 1976.
- A Boeing 707-300 was acquired in 1986 by President José Sarney and served the Presidency until its substitution in 2005 for the current Airbus 319 ACJ.
Notes
- ^ "FAB 001 Technical Specs". FAB: Aeronaves. Retrieved on 2006-11-06.
References
- "Associated Air Center awarded contract for completion of new ACJ for Brazilian Head of State" (PDF). Piedmont Hawthorne (2004-04-12). Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
- "New Air Force One for President Lula". Mercopress. Retrieved on 2006-07-06.
- "Avião de US$ 57 milhões chega amanhã" (in Portuguese). Correio Braziliense. Retrieved on 2006-10-30.
- "FAB 001, O Avião Presidencial" (in Portuguese). Defesa BR. Retrieved on 2006-07-30.
- "Avião Presidencial faz parte do Sistema de Defesa Brasileiro" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Brazilian Air Force (2005-01-17). Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
- "Ficha técnica do ACJ-319 Santos-Dumont" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Brazilian Air Force (2005-01-28). Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
- "Recebimento da aeronave Presidencial" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Brazilian Air Force (2005-01-17). Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
See also
