Brazilian Air Force One

"VC-1A" redirects here. For other uses, see VC1.

Brazilian Air Force One
General information
TypePresidential transport
National originEurope
ManufacturerAirbus
StatusIn service
Primary userBrazilian Air Force
Number built2
History
Introduction dateFebruary 2023[1]
Developed fromAirbus 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

The VC-2 airplane used for short-range travel

Along with the VC-1A and the VC-2s, 21 other aircraft are part of the fleet:

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		 Lockheed VC-66 in 1942. Brazilian National Archives 1942–1962
Purchased by President Getúlio Vargas. First presidential aircraft.[4]
Two Vickers Viscount
VC-90		 Vickers VC-90 displayed at Museu Aeroespacial 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		 Boeing 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		 Boeing 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		 Airbus A319 ACJ 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

Airbus A330Airbus A319Boeing 707Boeing 737BAC One ElevenVickers ViscountLockheed Lodestar

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

  1. ^ "Lula dispensa 'Aerolula' e voa aos Estados Unidos no maior jato da FAB" (in Portuguese). O Estado de S.Paulo. 10 February 2023.
  2. ^ Embraer provides Embraer 190 jets to Brazilian Government[permanent dead link‍] Embraer. Retrieved on 31 January 2009.
  3. ^ "Grupo de Transporte Especial". História da Força Aérea Brasileira (in Portuguese). 6 January 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Presidência vai aposentar o "Sucatão"". Folha de São Paulo (in Portuguese). 15 January 2004. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  6. ^ "Lula anuncia compra de aviões após passar horas rodando em círculo durante pane". Terra. 10 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Lula quer escolher novo avião presidencial ainda neste ano". CNN Brazil. 15 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Processo de compra de novo avião presidencial deve levar pelo menos um ano, diz Múcio". Airway. 21 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Airbus estipula prazo para a entrega de um novo avião a Lula". Aero Magazine. 4 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Lula quer novo avião presidencial com reabastecimento em voo, algo que apenas os EUA possuem". Aero Magazine. 6 November 2024.
  11. ^ "[COLUNA ESPLANADA] Lula autoriza compra de novo avião presidencial". Mossoró Hoje. 11 November 2024.
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