Category: Aircraft
French President Sarkozy Orders €176 Million Plane
French President Nicolas Sarkozy ’s dream of having a presidential jet to rival Air Force One of the United States is about to come true.
“Air Sarko One,” a $241-million Airbus A330-200, has made its first test flight in Bordeaux, southwestern France.
Although not quite as big as the Boeing 747-200 that is Air Force One, the French A330-200 will be at least ten metres longer and two metres higher that the aircraft used by other European leaders.
It is due for completion by October. When fitted out, it will have a 12-man meeting room, 60 business-class seats, top-grade encrypted communications systems, a reinforced fuselage and a missile decoy system.
The French president also wanted a full-sized bathtub on the plane but was told it could pose a problem, as under heavy turbulence water may overflow and cause short circuits.
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