U. S. Presidents and their Airborne Chariots Quiz

Answer: Air Force One

The presidential aircraft, like all aircraft at the time, was identified by the aircraft tail number. In 1953, a brief moment of confusion occurred when the Washington D.C Air Traffic Control Center issued instruction Air Force 8610 (the presidential aircraft) and another aircraft with a similar tail number (Eastern Airline 8610) thought the instructions were for their aircraft, after both aircraft accidentally entered the same air space.

While this incident did not cause a real problem, it was later decided that any US Air Force plane that carried the President of the United States would have the radio call sign designation of 'Air Force One'.

Answer: US Marine Corps

The Marine Helicopter Squadron One, "HMX-1" was established in December, 1947.
HMX-1 provides all helicopter transportation for the President both overseas and within the Continental United States.
In addition, HMX-1 provides helicopter transportation for the Vice President, members of the Presidential Cabinet, and foreign dignitaries as directed by the White House Military Office.
'Marine One' is the radio call sign used when the President is on board one of the HMX-1 Marine Helicopters. The primary presidential helicopter is the Sikorsky VH-3D (Sea King)

Answer: True

The presidential air transport fleet consist of two specifically configured Boeing 747-200B's, tail numbers 28000 and 29000, with the Air Force designation VC-25A. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force Aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One."
The cost of the two aircraft was 650,000,000, which was double the original estimated cost.
The principal difference between Air Force One and the standard Boeing 747 includes state-of-the-art navigation, electronic and communications equipment, it's interior configuration and furnishings, self contained baggage loader, and front and aft air-stairs.
The Air Force One fleet is operated by the Presidential Airlift Group, assigned to the Air Mobility Commands 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.

Answer: No foreign nation

To avoid the slightest possibility of a mid air collision with a foreign jet fighter, Air Force One will always politely decline any offers for an honorary military escort from any foreign government.

Answer: False

The famous presidential escape pod has been featured in a number of movies including the 1985 film "Escape from New York" and in the 1997 film "Air Force One". The movies would be the only place where this pod can be viewed. In reality, there is no means for the President to evacuate the aircraft while in flight.

Answer: Aircraft is known by its tail number

When the presidential aircraft flies without the chief executive on board, the aircraft's official radio call sign designation is SAM (Special Air Mission) and the aircraft's tail number.

i.e. - SAM 28000

Answer: virtually unlimited

The aircraft can travel 7,800 miles before refueling is necessary.
The presidential aircraft is modified for aerial refueling, making its flight range virtually unlimited.

Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt

The first aircraft officially designed for presidential flight was the C-87A Liberator Express, a reconfigured B-24 Bomber. The plane was called "Guess Where Two". When a different C-87A crashed, the plane was removed from service.
In 1944, the US Secret Service reconfigured a C-54 Sky master as a replacement. The plane was nicknamed "The Sacred Cow" and included a sleeping area, radio telephone, and a retractable elevator for Roosevelt's wheelchair.
The C-87A was used by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Answer: Can fire 'maverick' missiles for its own protection

The Presidential Jet, "Air Force One" is considered to be the most technologically advanced aircraft in the world however, it carries no offensive or defensive weapons.

Answer: John F. Kennedy's

Up until Kennedy's administration, presidential aircraft were widely
known by names given to them by the press, members of the president's staff, and often by the President himself.

Answer: Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson took his oath of office on November 22, 1963, aboard Air Force One, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Following the oath, the plane, also containing the body of the slain President took off from Love Field in Texas, and headed for Washington D.C.

Answer: Richard M. Nixon

Richard M. Nixon departed from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington D.C. aboard Air Force One on August 9, 1974, the date of his resignation from the Presidency. As the aircraft flew over Missouri, Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States. As had been planned, Air Force One officially changes it's call sign to Air Force SAM 27000 prior to landing.

Answer: 1957

On July 12, 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower flew to the Presidential Retreat at Camp David, Maryland, making him the first POTUS to travel by helicopter.
President Eisenhower flew on an H-13 Sioux, the military version of the Bell 47 (bubble canopy) helicopter.
This aircraft lacked the basic comforts found in its modern successors, such as air conditioning and toilet facilities.
In 1958, the H-13 was replaced by the H-34, and in 1961 by the Sea King.

Answer: Theodore Roosevelt

The flight took place on October 11, 1912 by the former POTUS.
Roosevelt flew for 4 minutes in an airplane built by aviation pioneers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, at Kinloch Aviation Field near St. Louis, Missouri.

Answer: False

Until 1976, the US Marine Corps. shared the responsibility of helicopter transportation for the POTUS with the US Army. Army helicopters used the call sign 'Army One' while the president was on board.

Answer: True

Wherever 'Marine One' flies, it is met on the ground by at least one US Marine in full dress uniform. In his final days of office, while flying over and landing nearby the Grand Canyon in Arizona, President Bill Clinton was stunned to find a Marine waiting at the landing site ready to salute him.

Answer: The presidential helicopter flies accompanied by an exact duplicate helicopter.

As a security measure, the Presidential helicopter, "Marine One" always travels in pairs: One helicopter carries the president, while the second helicopter servers as a back-up and decoy.

Answer: True

The President's helicopter, "Marine One" is always transported (as are the president's limousines) wherever the president travels, within the U.S. as well as overseas. Whenever the President"s Jet, "Air Force One" lands, "Marine One" can be found parked nearby even if the president is using a motorcade for travel.

Answer: 19

A total of 19 helicopters operated by HMX-1 "Nighthawks" squadron comprise the "Marine One" fleet.

More than 800 Marines supervise the operation of the "Marine One" Fleet, which is based in Quantico, Virginia.

As a security measure for "Marine One", every member of HMX-1 is required to receive a security clearance before touching any of the helicopters used for presidential travel.

Answer: No music or song exist

It's an airplane folks! It has no special music.

Source information for this quiz included, but was not restricted to:
Boeing Air Force One history and description
www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/af1

US Air Force fact sheet VC25
www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsid=131

Air Force One/Marine One - wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/air_force_one
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/marine_one

White House Military Office
www.whitehouse.gov/whmo/af1
www.whitehouse.gov/whmo/hmx1

The Rotor Head - Marine One
www.rotorhead.org/military-marine/asp