President Donald Trump, who has a deep history with aviation, has designed his own Air Force One. Three Boeing 747-800s, including a jet donated by the government of Qatar, are being modified to his specifications.
Trump’s Aviation Background
Trump’s interest in aviation dates back to his pre-White House career, when he ran his own airline, the Trump Shuttle, which flew between New York, Washington, and Boston. He has also made aviation a centerpiece of his brand of wealth and power.
Trump’s brother, Fred Trump Jr., was a pilot who flew for Trans World Airlines (TWA) and was a natural talent, according to Trump. However, their father, Fred Trump Sr., did not support his son’s career choice, calling being a pilot “a chauffeur in the sky.”
The Trump Shuttle
The Trump Shuttle operated flights every hour on the hour, with a fleet of Boeing 727s. Trump was heavily involved in the marketing and branding of the airline, which was seen as a symbol of his wealth and success.
However, the airline faced its first crisis just a few months after its launch, when one of its planes was forced to make an emergency landing due to a mechanical issue. Despite this, Trump was praised for his handling of the situation, and the airline continued to operate until it was eventually sold.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
