Nicolas Sarkozy Airbus “Air Sarko One”

French president Nicolas Sarkozy an Airbus A330-200 dubbed “Air Sarko One”, was approved earlier this month in a low key vote. Reserved for use by Sarkozy and his entourage, the A330 has been bought second-hand from the Air Caraibes airline and is undergoing a multimillion-pound renovation.

While still not quite on the scale of Air Force One 747-200B, when finished the 60 metres (190ft) long and 17 metres high A330, is expected to have a private wing for the head of state, complete with office, bedroom and bathroom, a meeting room for his staff, and seats for 60 people. The A330-200 was developed to compete with the Boeing 767-300ER. Power is provided by two General Electric CF6-80E, Pratt & Whitney PW4000 or Rolls-Royce Trent 700 gas turbine engines. It will also have an encrypted communications system to enable the president to discuss confidential matters with his advisers.

Specifications

Aircraft dimensions	A330-200	A330-300	A330-200F
Overall length	58.8 m (192 ft 11 in)	63.6 m (208 ft 10 in)	58.8 m (192 ft 11 in)
Height (to top of horizontal tail)	17.80 m (58 ft 5 in) or 17.30 m (56 ft 8 in)	16.85 m (55 ft 3 in)	16.9 m (55 ft 5 in)
Fuselage diameter	5.64 m (18 ft 6 in)
Maximum cabin width	5.28 m (17 ft 4 in)
Cabin length	45.0 m (147 ft 8 in)	50.35 m (165 ft 2 in)	40.8 m (133 ft 10 in)
Wingspan (geometric)	60.3 m (197 ft 10 in)
Wing area (reference)	361.6 m² (3,892 sq ft)
Wing sweep (25% chord)	30 º
Wheelbase	22.2 m (72 ft 10 in)	25.6 m (84 ft)	22.2 m (72 ft 10 in)
Wheel track	10.69 m (35 ft 1 in)
Basic operating data
Engines (×2)	CF6-80E1 or PW4000 or RR Trent 700		PW4000 or RR Trent 700
Engine thrust range	303-320 kN
Typical passenger seating	253 (3-class) 293 (2-class)	295 (3-class) 335 (2-class)	-
Range (w/max. passengers)	6,749 NM (12,500 km)	5,669 NM (10,500 km)	4,000 NM (7,400 km)
Cruising Speed	Mach 0.82 (871 km/h, 541 mph, 470 knots at 35,000 ft (10.7 km) cruise altitude)
Maximum Cruise Speed	Mach 0.86 (913 km/h, 568 mph, 493 knots at 35,000 ft (10.7 km) cruise altitude)
Takeoff run at MTOW	2,220 metres (7,300 ft)	2,500 metres (8,202 ft)	-
Bulk hold volume (Standard/option)	19.7 / 13.76 m³		475 m³
Design weights
Maximum ramp weight	230.9 (233.9) t
Maximum takeoff weight	230 (233) t
Maximum landing weight	180 (182) t	185 (187) t	182 (187) t
Maximum zero fuel weight	168 (170) t	173 (175) t	173 (178) t
Maximum fuel capacity	139,100 L	97,170 L	139,100 L
Typical operating weight empty	120 t	122 (124) t	109 t
Typical volumetric payload	36.4 t	45.9 t	69 t