I think that Culdrose is for choppers only. It may still be able to accommodate fixed-wing aircraft, but is unlikely to have anything like the facilities of Newquay.Could it land at Culdrose?
Could it land at Culdrose?
As evidenced by the recent unfortunate accident, Hawk jets still operate from Culdrose. The largest aircraft to land there must have been the BA Airbus A319 carrying the Olympic torch in 2012.Not the B747.
The runway isn’t long or wide enough and the pavement loading wouldn’t support it.
Also there’s insufficient fire cover and limited, or no ground handling facilities.
The B757 might be possible (but I’m not sure about this).
Note Trump flew out of Southampton airport on Air Force One, a B757, after the D-Day 75th anniversary ceremony in Portsmouth in 2019.
Although mostly being a helicopter base, fixed wing flying still takes place at Culdrose.
The Navy operates a training version of the twin engine Beechcraft King Air 350, (Avenger T1) from there.
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....Hawk jets still operate from Culdrose.....
Then a GW pannier and auto-coach to take the prez from Newquay to Carbis Bay. Reversals at Par and St Erth.
I started it as a genuine enquiry!I don't know whether to take this post seriously or not...
I think the runway is 9000 feet x 285 feet, more than big enough to land a big jet (and airforce one is still the older 747, not the 747-800 derived special that has been ordered), actually there are two, but only one with President gets the airforce one designation.
However I suspect the runway length limits the fuel load on take off, but no idea what range would be flying from Newquay
While the Presidential 747s do have in flight refuelling receptacles, In flight refuelling is never used with the President on board (too dangerous) and I doubt that it has ever been used other than on test flights.AF1 can be refuelled mid-air. Or you'd just fuel stop at Shannon or somewhere.
If they couldn't take off with the fuel load from Newquay surely they'd just park AF1 at Stansted and use Marine 1 to Cornwall? After all, I'd be surprised if the US President flew all the way to the UK and didn't visit London at all. Anybody know what AF1 did when Obama visited for the summit in Cardiff?AF1 can be refuelled mid-air. Or you'd just fuel stop at Shannon or somewhere.
I was under the impression that any fixed wing plane with the president on board automatically assumed the designation of Air Force One.I think the runway is 9000 feet x 285 feet, more than big enough to land a big jet (and airforce one is still the older 747, not the 747-800 derived special that has been ordered), actually there are two, but only one with President gets the airforce one designation.
However I suspect the runway length limits the fuel load on take off, but no idea what range would be flying from Newquay
Not quite - any Air Force aircraft (fixed-wing or Rotary) carrying the President is Air Force One. Any aircraft operated by any other branch of the US Military (who consider the Marines an independent service) carries the name of that service plus 'One'. There's also Executive One for a commercial flight carrying the President.I was under the impression that any fixed wing plane with the president on board automatically assumed the designation of Air Force One.
No matter what its normal status was.
Similarly for Marine One as long as it is a Marine Corps Helicopter.
I can't imagine that Biden will relish travelling from Stansted to Cornwall in a noisy vibrating helicopter. There is absolutely no problem with AF1 using Newquay, either inbound or outbound. 9,000 feet is plenty for a lightly loaded 747 (it is not carrying 350 passengers and their baggage plus freight). Whether other considerations will apply I have no idea.If they couldn't take off with the fuel load from Newquay surely they'd just park AF1 at Stansted and use Marine 1 to Cornwall? After all, I'd be surprised if the US President flew all the way to the UK and didn't visit London at all. Anybody know what AF1 did when Obama visited for the summit in Cardiff?
However, Fairford to Carbis Bay is still a long time to spend in a helicopter.As I mentioned in Post #11, RAF Fairford is likely to be the location of AF1, the same location they used when the summit was held in Newport (CelticManor).
Taxi to Swindon and then change trains at St Erth. Set a good example for a Climate Summit (after Air Force One has chucked out all those tons of CO2).However, Fairford to Carbis Bay is still a long time to spend in a helicopter.
You'd risk flying a mile in an Osprey?! You're braver than I am...I suppose that there is a reason for this but 300 odd miles in a Osprey is 299 more than I would want to do.
BBC has a slightly different version. That the Ospreys would be escorting Marine One. It would be a bit odd to bring the Sikorsky VH-3D, then not use it.According to today's Times, AF1 is landing at Mildenhall and Biden will continue to Cornwall on a Osprey. I suppose that there is a reason for this but 300 odd miles in a Osprey is 299 more than I would want to do.
300 miles in a Sea King? He'll be a wreck by the time they get there. Does it have enough range to do the trip anyway? Why on earth not land closer to the destination.BBC has a slightly different version. That the Ospreys would be escorting Marine One. It would be a bit odd to bring the Sikorsky VH-3D, then not use it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-57398637