FAB 001

Infobox Aircraft
name=VC-1A "FAB 001"
type=Presidential transport
manufacturer=Airbus


caption=FAB Uno
designer=
first flight=
introduced= 15 January 2005
retired=
status=Active service
primary user=Brazilian Air Force
produced=2004-2005
number built=1
unit cost=R$156 million
developed from=Airbus A319
variants with their own articles=

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.

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.

pecifications (VC-1A)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=jet

ref=Brazilian Air Force [cite web
url=http://www.fab.mil.br/aeronaves/htm/acj.htm
title=FAB 001 Technical Specs
work=FAB: Aeronaves
accessdate=2006-11-06]
crew=12 (2 pilots, cabin crew)
capacity=40 passengers
length main=111 ft
length alt=33.8 m
span main=111 ft 10 in
span alt=34.1 m
height main=38 ft 7 in
height alt=11.7 m
area main= ft²
area alt= m²
airfoil=
empty weight main= lb
empty weight alt= kg
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=166,500 lb
max takeoff weight alt=75,500 kg
more general=

engine (jet)=General Electric CFM56-5
type of jet=turbofan engines
number of jets=2
thrust main=27,000 lbf
thrust alt=120 kN
max speed main=
max speed alt=
max speed more=
cruise speed main=.82 Mach
range main=3,700 nm
range alt=4,300 mi, 6,800 km
range more=unrefueled
ceiling main=41,000 ft
ceiling alt=12,000 m

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

References

*cite web | title=Associated Air Center awarded contract for completion of new ACJ for Brazilian Head of State | publisher = Piedmont Hawthorne | date=2004-04-12 | url=http://www.piedmonthawthorne.com/news_events/press_releases/2004/2004-0412-03.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate=2006-09-07
*cite web | title=New Air Force One for President Lula | publisher = Mercopress | url=http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia.do?id=3138&formato=html | accessdate=2006-07-06
*cite web | title=Avião de US$ 57 milhões chega amanhã | publisher= Correio Braziliense | url=http://www.aer.mil.br/imprensa/enotimp/2005/01-JAN/enotimp012.htm | accessdate=2006-10-30 | language=Portuguese
*cite web | title=FAB 001, O Avião Presidencial | publisher= Defesa BR | url=http://www.defesabr.com/Fab/Presid/fab_presidente.htm | accessdate=2006-07-30 | language=Portuguese
*cite web | title=Avião Presidencial faz parte do Sistema de Defesa Brasileiro | publisher = Brazilian Air Force | date=2005-01-17 | url=http://www.fab.mil.br/imprensa/Noticias/2005/jan/1701_1acj_sistemadeDefesa.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate=2007-05-31 | language=Portuguese
*cite web | title=Ficha técnica do ACJ-319 Santos-Dumont | publisher = Brazilian Air Force | date=2005-01-28 | url=http://www.fab.mil.br/imprensa/Noticias/2005/jan/2801_ficAha_tecnica_ACJ.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate=2007-05-31 | language=Portuguese
*cite web | title=Recebimento da aeronave Presidencial | publisher = Brazilian Air Force | date=2005-01-17 | url=http://www.fab.mil.br/imprensa/Noticias/2005/jan/1701_3recebimento_acj.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate=2007-05-31 | language=Portuguese

ee also

*
* Air Force One
* Air transports of heads of state