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FAA proposes special conditions for new Air Force One design

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FAA proposes special conditions for new Air Force One design
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Boeing is advancing with the development of the VC-25B, known as the new Air Force One for the President of the United States. The company has proposed special conditions for the Boeing 747-8, which includes an unusual design feature. According to a document by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), set to be published on November 29, two modified 747-8 aircraft will have stairs installed for flight crew access to forward and aft lower lobe compartments during flight. These compartments will serve as storage for service items and a Class C cargo compartment.

The FAA noted that current airworthiness regulations lack adequate safety standards for this feature. Thus, they propose additional safety standards to match existing airworthiness levels. Stakeholders will be invited to comment on these conditions until January 13, 2025.

Boeing applied for a supplemental type certificate (STC) on July 2, 2018, to install these stairs in the 747-8 aircraft. The modified model is described as having a VIP interior configuration with seating for 93 passengers and 15 flight crew members and a maximum takeoff weight of nearly one million pounds.

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The regulator highlighted that existing regulations address service areas and Class C cargo compartments separately but not combined uses. Typically, fires in service compartments are handled by crew while flooding suppression systems are used in Class C compartments.

Since an informal agreement between former President Donald Trump and former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg on a fixed-price $3.9 billion contract was made, Boeing has faced delays and cost overruns in modifying two VC-25B aircraft. Current CEO Kelly Ortberg mentioned that Boeing needs better control over problematic contracts within its defense business.

In December 2022, an updated report from the US Department of Defense outlined that Initial Operational Capability of the first VC-25B would occur in January 2027, with Full Operational Capability expected by April 2027. However, a report by Breaking Defense indicated potential delays with first-ever flights possibly pushed to March 2026 or later.

Boeing reported an additional $250 million charge in Q2 due to higher costs related to engineering design changes such as wiring and structural requirements.

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