The Canadian PM flies around in an Airbus A320....boring.

 

biggest news to me on this thread is that they stopped making the A340. I really love the look of that plane, luckily I still get to see it when Lufthansa flies in to Toronto.

Yep....useless spending for the most part....but I won't complain about this one because I think New Zealand is doing an awesome job:

 

 

Don't know if you can get this magazine in NZ Matt, but the center spread poster in this months "Airliner World" is the NZAF 757. Just spotted it on my son's bedroom wall... You could probably order it online if you like, think it's about €5... B)

 

I can't believe the President of Azerbajain has a 767 and A320, and their GDP per Capita is only $3,000!!! :o We need to get our Irish ministers some serious metal now! Much as it is a privilege to fly them, we're being out faced by Azerbaijain... :blink:

 

Regards,

Ró.

Hahah, funny comments on the planes. I imagine big collaboration programs now involving at least two hours of showing off the governmental equipment to other countries. :lol: That's the spirit! Wait. :mellow:

 

Well, I won't state any country names, but there are places on this planet where you can be sure that all money aiming at 'help' leads to purchases which only help one guy, and his family. Hence the rather difficult work of the diplomats to really help but not like that.

 

Erm, I guess you know what I mean. It's just that one may look at a governmental apparatus, then looks at the country itself and doesn't know where to start. Certainly not with just sending money. Sorry for off topic.

Don't know if you can get this magazine in NZ Matt, but the center spread poster in this months "Airliner World" is the NZAF 757. Just spotted it on my son's bedroom wall... You could probably order it online if you like, think it's about €5... B)

 

I can't believe the President of Azerbajain has a 767 and A320, and their GDP per Capita is only $3,000!!! :o We need to get our Irish ministers some serious metal now! Much as it is a privilege to fly them, we're being out faced by Azerbaijain... :blink:

 

Regards,

Ró.

 

Rónán,

 

If you are shocked, then you'd better not look at the combat aircraft inventories of some of the poorest nations. Especially since those countries are (fortunately) never involved in actual fighting.

 

Bruno

Don't know if you can get this magazine in NZ Matt, but the center spread poster in this months "Airliner World" is the NZAF 757. Just spotted it on my son's bedroom wall... You could probably order it online if you like, think it's about €5... B)

Regards,

Ró.

 

There are 2 of those 757's parked in this country, one of them in Wellington and the other north of Auckland. I kind of see them almost everyday in and out of NZWN. I just take pictures of them when I can.

 

Cheers

Rónán,

 

If you are shocked, then you'd better not look at the combat aircraft inventories of some of the poorest nations. Especially since those countries are (fortunately) never involved in actual fighting.

 

Bruno

Yeh, It's a shame really what all that money could be spent on instead of equipment that will never/should never be used. Luckily enough in Ireland, we have hardly any spending on defense or fancy things like Government 767's, instead we have free 3rd level education to better our citizens. I think the only way money should be given to those countries is if the country or organisation giving it ensures that they spend it on what they need, not what they want/think they need. And then if they don't want to spend the money on that then tough, you're not getting it, we'll find some other country to help develop...

 

Regards,

Ró.

Fictional phone call.

 

Department of Defense, this is A. Shatter, what can I do for you?

Yeah, this is Ró, now listen, did you see what planes Azerbaijan is running?

I'm sorry sir, what do you mean?

Did you look at it? Now look at what Ireland runs!

Ah, I see, I think I get your point.

 

Two weeks later, Ireland announces the purchase of the second A380 VIP (after Saudi Arabia). :biggrin: Airbus Industries is very happy to fulfil that order. It was announced that the chief pilot of the new flagship will be..

The problem is, you have to remember in a time of an emergency, like the out beak of a war, AF1 could very well come under attack, With a 777 or other 2 engine aircraft, If it lost both engines, that's all she wrote. With a 4 engine aircraft, they could lose 3 of the 4 engines, and the aircraft would survive. AF1 is designed to provide the maximum security possible for it's survival and POTUS'. I don't think they would want to sacrifice that safety cushion. Remember the other Airborne Command aircraft are also 4 engine 747's (E-4's). I agree a smaller aircraft would probably suffice, but right now the 747's, A380, and A340's are the only 4 engine aircraft available. The A380's are pretty much ruled out,since it's limitation on the amount of airports it can get in and out of. The A340 would work (discounting the political issues of such a choice), but it's currently out of production. That leaves the 747's,

 

Hmmm... Now that you mention the "In Case Of Emergency," I would have to say that it would be best if POTUS used a modified C-17 for AF1. It's got the requisite 4 engines, and has BETTER capabilities than a 747-400. Don't get me wrong. I love the 747-400. It's just too easily recognizable whereas you park a C-17 amongst other C-17s, nobody would know who is on what plane. :) Rather than use just use a select number of airports, the C-17 can go almost anywhere.

Fictional phone call.

 

Department of Defense, this is A. Shatter, what can I do for you?

Yeah, this is Ró, now listen, did you see what planes Azerbajain is running?

I'm sorry sir, what do you mean?

Did you look at it? Now look at what Ireland runs!

Ah, I see, I think I get your point.

 

Two weeks later, Ireland announces the purchase of the second A380 VIP (after Saudi Arabia). :biggrin: Airbus Industries is very happy to fulfil that order. It was announced that the chief pilot of the new flagship will be..

I think we could settle for a A319CJ, though the public out cry would likely result in Minister Shatter's head on a plate, and a general election being called... In fact, we probably wouldn't be happy until An Taoiseach was walking to all his European and international meetings, either that, or we may consider lending him a donkey if we want to make sure we don't look like total penny pinchers.... :mellow: Amazing what can change over the space of 10 years, from out cries that we didn't display enough of our wealth, to the current cries of why should An Taoiseach have the public pay for his transport.... You just can't win...

Don't worry, it's not about the planes. Hey, the Swiss run nice ones. I also like Uruguay.

 

Politicians using public transport from time to time would be a nice touch by the way. Shows something. Perhaps, in a few years, someone sends that signal.

Politicians using public transport from time to time would be a nice touch by the way. Shows something. Perhaps, in a few years, someone sends that signal.

I'm not sure about public transport. I mean, it'd be fine if they all lived in the Capital, but they represent the entire country, so they commute from all corners...They use a bus some times when they all travel together, but it's a coach they hired as opposed to the public transport bus where you have to wait 10 minutes for it to come... Still a nice gesture.

 

I think practically all our Ministers and An Taoiseach fly commercial, don't think the State Jets have been used more than handful of times since the current Government took office...

 

Wonder if Mr Obama could ever be seen flying with the great unwashed...

You name it, it has to be practical of course.

 

I think practically all our Ministers and An Taoiseach fly commercial, don't think the State Jets have been used more than handful of times since the current Government took office...

Didn't know that. So if this already happens, it's indeed a nice touch. :smile:

 

Wonder if Mr Obama could ever be seen flying with the great unwashed...

 

We can only wish.

Ever ran into an official in a regular situation like shopping or transportation?