Let me tell you a fascinating fact about the polish „airforce one” places that President of Poland uses for his journeys. Their names are of no ordinary sort – they bear the legacy of prominent Poles. I’m talking about Dmowski, Paderewski, Piłsudski, Pulaski, and Poniatowski. What do these individuals have in common? Well, they were all exceptional Poles and their names also embellish the President’s planes. So, how does President of Poland travel?
Arrival of the New Birds
In 2021, two significant additions were made to the Polish VIP airforce one fleet – the Roman Dmowski and its twin, the Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Officially, these planes are Boeing 737-800BBJ models. Now, you may ask, what sets these new planes apart from the others?
Let me say that these new birds stand out because they have the ability to fly to the United States without any stopovers. It’s thanks to the additional fuel tanks that they can soar up to 11,000 kilometers without requiring a refill. I think it’s worth to say that this feature is a game-changer for long distance travels.
Polish Airforce Ones Are Fast and Smart
What’s more, these planes house engines that can push the aircraft to the impressive speeds of up to 900 kilometers per hour. Now, isn’t that something? Also, the Dmowski and Paderewski planes are equipped with advanced tech fetures like an IFF (Friend or Foe) identification system and a GPS that is immune to satellite signal blocking.
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Accommodating the VIPs
If you’re curious about the plane’s capacity, the presidential plane can comfortably seat up to 66 VIP class passengers and even more in other sectors. I believe this accommodative capacity adds to its VIP allure. Let me tell you, it’s not just about the seats and speed; there’s even a doctor’s office onboard for any medical emergencies.
The Presidential Fleet
As I already mentioned, Dmowski and Paderewski are the latest inclusions in the presidential fleet, which also contains the Boeing 737-800, acquired back in 2017. This aircraft, named after Józef Piłsudski, was selected in a contest by the Ministry of National Defense. Notably, it was the first Boeing 737 that was commissioned for use by Polish leaders.
Poland’s President fleet doesn’t stop at Boeings. I am convinced to share with you that the Polish VIPs also have access to the Pulaski and Poniatowski. So next time, being there, you need to know, our Polish VIPs sure know how to travel in style!
The Gulfstream G550
I believe it’s worth saying that the presidential fleet doesn’t stop at the Boeing planes. Two Gulfstream G550 aircraft, named after two Polish national heroes, are also a part of the fleet. They are smaller than the Boeings, with a length of 30 meters and can accommodate up to 16 passengers. These jets were added to the fleet in 2017.
- I think you will also love this article: Uncovering the Mystery of Two Abandoned Planes in Poland
It was one of these Gulfstream G550 planes that President Duda used for his visit to the United States in 2020 to meet with then-President Donald Trump.
Presiden’t Aircrafts Before the Boeings and Gulfstreams
Now, you might be curious about what President used for his travels before 2017, right? Well, let me tell you. The head of state flew the Tupolev 154M, a workhorse that was ever-present in Poland’s skies.
However, due to a catastrophic accident in Smolensk, the use of thesew models was halted. During this period, Poland’s national airline, LOT, stepped in, offering its services to transport the nation’s VIPs until 2017.
Are These Planes Reliable?
Well, not really. For instance, there was a bit of a hiccup in President Duda’s travel plans one day. He was all set to use one of his planes for a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Rzeszów. However, not everything went as planned.
The presidential plane was forced to make an emergency landing immediately after takeoff. Unfortunately, because of this, President was unable to reach Rzeszów to welcome the American president. Official reports suggest that technical problems were the cause of the emergency landing.
- Make sure you also read this: Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow – Is This Worth Your Time?
So, the next time you see a plane soaring overhead, you might want to wonder if it’s one of President’s special jets. They may have had their share of ups and downs, but these planes continue to symbolize the spirit of Poland and its heroes.
References:
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulfstream_G550
- https://www.rynek-lotniczy.pl/wiadomosci/duda-samolot-sie-kiwal-ale-wyladowalismy-bezpiecznie-14076.html
