Brasília, January 16, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - After more than 15 years serving as the official aircraft for transporting Presidents on long flights, the Brazilian Air Force's (FAB) Boeing 707, known as "Spare Parts," will be replaced. The Presidency decided to purchase a new aircraft, the Airbus ACJ, to meet necessities characterized by the Air Force Command as non-stop international flights and extended flight capacity. The new plane will be able to fly direct routes like Brasília-Paris or Brazil-US and Canada.
The government will spend US$ 56.713 million to assure the purchase of the new plane. The amount will be divided into six installments, which began to be paid in December, 2003. The Ministry of Planning expects to complete payments for the aircraft in March, 2004, and the installments for logistical support, such as supply and maintenance, in 2009. The contract for the acquisition of the new aircraft was signed with the Airbus Groupement d'Intérêt Economique (GIE) firm and foresees replacement of ground equipment, operational training, maintenance, and technical assistance. The government has not yet defined when the plane will be placed in operation.
The Airbus manufactures the ACJ according to personal specifications. There are innumerous variations, suiting the preferences of each buyer. The government has still not disclosed the features of the new plane, but in its most luxurious versions, the aircraft has seats that become beds and a suite with shower. According to the features that are selected, the plane can accomodate 18 to 40 seats.
According to the Ministry of Planning, which is coordinating the purchase of the new plane, FAB's fleet of Boeing 737's and 707's was already obsolete and inadequate for transcontinental journeys, in consequence of outdated technology. Moreover, the Boeings did not conform to the new laws of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and they registered high fuel consumption and very elevated costs of logistic support. "The transportation of heads of State and Government in practically all countries around the world is marked by extremely rigid characteristics and requirements, particularly in matters related to security. Therefore, the acquisition at this time presents itself as extremely necessary, as well as opportune," affirms a note released by the Ministry of Planning.
Despite its age, "Spare Parts" caught President's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's fancy from the time he took office. The controversy over use of the aircraft resurfaced when Lula decided to reactivate the plan in the beginning of 2003, when he returned from a trip to France. "Spare Parts" had been retired by his predecessor, ex-President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, at the end of 1999, after a mid-air stall during a flight on which the then Vice-President, Marco Maciel, was returning to Brazil from China. From then on, Cardoso used a TAM Airbus for his international voyages. At the time, the Presidency opened a bidding process to select the best offer for transportation of the Brazilian President.
Since he considered the costs of the TAM Airbus to be high, Lula chose to use "Spare Parts" on his international trips. The President flew in the plane in visits to over ten countries, and he never hid his admiration for the comfort and ease offered by the plane - even in face of appeals for him not to use the aircraft.
Denominated by the FAB as KC-137, "Spare Parts" was built in the '80's on a Boeing 707 structure. The structure of the plane, however, has been in use since the '60's. Despite its age, the aircraft provides comfort to its passengers. The plane was completely transformed to carry the President and the First Lady, with the right to a double bed, shower, and spacious aisles. (DAS)
