[dragracer567]

Talking about excesses, I came across this article from a USAF C17 pilot who flew the vice-president’s secret service motor fleet.

The highlight of the article was when they flew a single forklift to China from what I presume is the US base in Japan for the VP’s visit to China (he quips the fuel cost of transporting the single forklift is enough to buy a dozen such forklifts).

It does make a very interesting read!

Here is the link

[skanchan95]

As per these grainy pictures, atleast one of the VIP 777s has lost its civilian regn and the military K-series registration is now clearly displayed on the aircraft.

K7067 was the former VT-ALW





Edit: Turns out VT-ALV too has received its militarily registration- K7066, officially

[mmxylorider]

VT-ALW (Call sign India1) is being used for the current trip my PM Modi to the USA. This might be the first out of India flight of the aircraft since foreign trips by other diplomats used the smaller exec jets.

Surprisingly, this trip has not gathered a huge amount of attention in the media here - Unlike the Howdy Modi event from exactly 2 years ago.

[mmxylorider]

Originally Posted by mmxylorider

VT-ALW (Call sign India1) is being used for the current trip my PM Modi to the USA. This might be the first out of India flight of the aircraft since foreign trips by other diplomats used the smaller exec jets.

Update : So this is not the fist foreign trip for this aircraft. This same plane was used for the Dhaka trip earlier trip this year.

[balenoed_]

Is the Boeing 777 Air India One used only for International travels by the VVIPs. As I see the honorable president had not come in the 777 for his recent visit to Kerala. But seeing him visiting Bangladesh in 777. The aerial distance though is higher to KL than that for a Delhi - Bangladesh route. Or is the local airport not equipped to land a 777.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Is the Boeing 777 Air India One used only for International travels by the VVIPs. As I see the honorable president had not come in the 777 for his recent visit to Kerala. But seeing him visiting Bangladesh in 777. The aerial distance though is higher to KL than that for a Delhi - Bangladesh route. Or is the local airport not equipped to land a 777.

Could be because the local airport is not equipped to handle. But not sure. Since there are many international flights from kerala to other countries. I do not know if any of these flights use a triple.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Or is the local airport not equipped to land a 777.

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Could be because the local airport is not equipped to handle. But not sure. Since there are many international flights from kerala to other countries. I do not know if any of these flights use a triple.

Both Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports can handle 777. They have regular B777 flight service. TRV has seen Antonov A124, and I believe can handle Code F aircrafts.

Part of the training for Air Force One was at TRV. Multiple landings, take-offs, touch and go in a single day.
Source: aircraft crazy @AB@TVMBHP




Aircraft noob here.

Am not sure of Kannur airport, but since it is a tabletop airport, they may have wanted to avoid the risk.

Or

Since the President's itinerary involved three airports in the state, they didn't want to use the bigger aircraft for hopping around?.

[mmxylorider]

I guess accompanying contingent has a role to play. The President will not engaged in deal making and will have a smaller entourage.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Am not sure of Kannur airport, but since it is a tabletop airport, they may have wanted to avoid the risk.
Or
Since the President's itinerary involved three airports in the state, they didn't want to use the bigger aircraft for hopping around?.

Looks like it is a protocol thing.

Regardless of distance, domestic flights are in the smaller aircraft, as entourage is smaller.

For international flights, they will use the 777, even if it is a hop to Nepal from Delhi.

[ads11]

If anyone wanted more insight into the POTUS's Air Force One, some details have come to light through a Freedom of Information Act request made here. Headline figure is obviously the $177k/hr flight cost on the current jets.
Quick googling shows a 747-200 had a flight cost of let's say $30k/hr but obviously this was when it was a widely available type (a mere handful of the type are still left in operation) and they're obviously highly modified to the point of having many unique parts, sourcing of which would be a nightmare.

Made me wonder what the flight cost would be for the Indian executive airlift 777s. I highly doubt it would have a 6-fold increase from the baseline reported value of $27k/hr for the type, given that it's a widely operated type (spares should be far easier to acquire), twin jet vs quad in the case of the VC-25, and I think it's safe to say it probably isn't as exotically modified as the VC-25s. Probably looking at a $50-60k per flight hour cost? I could be wildly off the mark here of course so curious to hear from folks who're actively involved in the aviation sector?

On another note, I'm unfamiliar with Indian law in this regard but I'm curious whether members of the public are allowed to make Freedom of Information requests from the govt? Say if Team-BHP asked for a breakdown of the costs of the 777?

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by ads11

I'm curious whether members of the public are allowed to make Freedom of Information requests from the govt? Say if Team-BHP asked for a breakdown of the costs of the 777?

Anyone can submit a RTI, regarding any Govt. function and will receive a reply.

https://rtionline.gov.in/

Whether you will get an answer in this specific case? Very unlikely. The configuration of AI One will almost definitely not be disclosed citing national security, similar with the cost of flying - given it could touch a raw nerve.

[ads11]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Anyone can submit a RTI, regarding any Govt. function and will receive a reply.

https://rtionline.gov.in/

Whether you will get an answer in this specific case? Very unlikely. The configuration of AI One will almost definitely not be disclosed citing national security, similar with the cost of flying - given it could touch a raw nerve.

Thanks for that! Yeah I figured that while the provision might exist in principle, unlikely to hear back if at all. While redacting and blocking any information on the configuration is fair enough on security grounds, given the fact you have running costs published by the Americans, can't see why (again in principle) India would need to guard that information considering giving a cost breakdown is in the public interest? Is a tax payer platform after all.

[V.Narayan]

Scale model 1:200 of the IAF VIP Boeing 777

Toyz for Boyz. You cannot take the boy out of the man:-)

The livery and the lettering is classy - subtle, minimal and dignified.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

...
The livery and the lettering is classy - subtle, minimal and dignified.

The minimal tricolor strip motif and lettering indeed looks very nice.

Curiosity's sake, I'd like to see a render of what a flamboyant tricolor paintjob would look like.

[ads11]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

The minimal tricolor strip motif and lettering indeed looks very nice.

Curiosity's sake, I'd like to see a render of what a flamboyant tricolor paintjob would look like.

I remember seeing someone draw up the kind of livery I feel you were after. Here is the post from skanchan95 where they mocked one up.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Attachment 2013306

The livieres sported by IAF 732s and 737BBJs
Attachment 2013307

It's of course subjective but I'm really glad that India veered on uncharacteristic minimalism for once (I'd find a flamboyant tricolour livery way too tacky and ostentatious). What we have is clean, unfussy and serves the purpose. The implementation of the tricolour as the stripes along the side I think are plenty distinctive (you could marginally make them bolder if we're splitting hairs). And I guess a slightly larger national emblem maybe as a tail flash? Or actually on the engine nacelles?
My only gripe (and a minor one at that) is the use of a serif font (I'm a sans serif font extremist so that's likely just me!). All told, no complaints on the livery. As V.Narayan's model demonstrates, it's such a clean design.