PURCHASE, N.Y., Oct. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force announced it has contracted New York-based Atlas Air Inc. to provide training for Air Force One pilots.
Atlas Air is a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. Under the five-year deal Atlas Air will train Air Force One flight engineers and pilots responsible for flying the president’s aircraft, a Boeing 747-200.
“We are excited that the Air Force has selected our state-of-the-art training facilities and services for training the elite group of Air Force pilots and flight engineers appointed to fly Air Force One," said William J. Flynn, president and chief executive officer of AAWW, in a statement.
"As the largest operator of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft, Atlas is an established leader in the worldwide cargo industry and a major provider of air freight lift to the military. This exclusive contract further recognizes the commitment and quality that Atlas provides in everything we do.”
The training will cover the spectrum of ground school and simulator training necessary to fully qualify these pilots and flight engineers to fly Air Force One. Company officials say Atlas will also provide additional simulator time and annual recurrent training as requested by the Air Force.
The training will take place at the Atlas Air Training Center in Miami.
