The last Boeing 707 to serve as Air Force One, SAM 27000, sits under a striking glass pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. This aircraft, which carried President Ronald Reagan and six other American presidents, marks the end of an era for the iconic jet that once symbolized the United States' power and prestige.
President Reagan flew SAM 27000 more than any other U.S. president, logging over 660,000 miles aboard the plane during his presidency. The aircraft was state-of-the-art in its time, featuring a conference room, comfortable chairs, and even a rotary phone. However, it lacked the luxurious amenities of modern Air Force One jets, which now have bedrooms and advanced communication systems.
The transition from the 707-based VC-137s to the 747 fleet took place in 1990, just one year after Reagan's term ended. The new aircraft expanded the range, communications capabilities, and comfort of Air Force One, but Reagan himself never flew aboard the newer jets he had commissioned.
Despite its age, SAM 27000 remains a top attraction for visitors to the Reagan Library, with nearly seven million people stepping aboard the plane since it opened to the public in 2005. The aircraft is on display as part of the Air Force One Pavilion, which also features a Marine One helicopter, Reagan's 1984 presidential limousine, and an authentic Irish pub from his ancestral village.
According to David Trulio, president and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, there are "tremendous parallels" between Reagan's era and today. He notes that history rhymes, and studying past successes can be inspiring and instructive for addressing current challenges.
The pavilion also features a sweeping mural tracing presidential air travel from its beginnings with FDR to the present day. Visitors can buy tickets to go onto the plane and see where presidents used it as a working office, a unique opportunity to step into history.
President Reagan flew SAM 27000 more than any other U.S. president, logging over 660,000 miles aboard the plane during his presidency. The aircraft was state-of-the-art in its time, featuring a conference room, comfortable chairs, and even a rotary phone. However, it lacked the luxurious amenities of modern Air Force One jets, which now have bedrooms and advanced communication systems.
The transition from the 707-based VC-137s to the 747 fleet took place in 1990, just one year after Reagan's term ended. The new aircraft expanded the range, communications capabilities, and comfort of Air Force One, but Reagan himself never flew aboard the newer jets he had commissioned.
Despite its age, SAM 27000 remains a top attraction for visitors to the Reagan Library, with nearly seven million people stepping aboard the plane since it opened to the public in 2005. The aircraft is on display as part of the Air Force One Pavilion, which also features a Marine One helicopter, Reagan's 1984 presidential limousine, and an authentic Irish pub from his ancestral village.
According to David Trulio, president and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, there are "tremendous parallels" between Reagan's era and today. He notes that history rhymes, and studying past successes can be inspiring and instructive for addressing current challenges.
The pavilion also features a sweeping mural tracing presidential air travel from its beginnings with FDR to the present day. Visitors can buy tickets to go onto the plane and see where presidents used it as a working office, a unique opportunity to step into history.
The 707s were defo iconic, but now they're like relics of the past. I mean, who needs rotary phones on a presidential jet anymore? 
The new jets are so much better equipped and comfy for the presidents. It's cool that SAM 27000 is still popular though, people love old planes. And the pavilion is lit! 
Seeing all the history in one place is wild. I'm kinda curious about the parallels between Reagan's era and now, what exactly does Trulio mean? 
. It's like stepping back in time, you know? I mean, can you even imagine being the president and flying on this thing? 
President Reagan must've had some epic conversations with world leaders in that conference room 
️. I also love how they've got all these other cool exhibits at the pavilion too, from the Marine One helicopter to the Irish pub... it's like a time capsule or something 
. Yeah, studying history can be really inspiring, and I think that's what they're trying to say with this whole thing 
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. Can't we have a more engaging conversation about the actual significance of SAM 27000? Don't get me wrong, the fact that Reagan flew on it over 660k miles is impressive, but it's still just a plane 
️. The article highlights how much has changed in air force one since then, like bedrooms and advanced comms systems... big deal 
. I mean, can we talk about the cultural impact of having presidents fly on these planes? Or what it says about American politics? Noooo, instead we get a glass pavilion with a rotary phone and a mural 
. Anyone else feel like this is just a shallow attempt to make us nostalgic for the past? 
. I mean, who would've thought that an aircraft built for power & prestige back in '70s would still be getting attention today? The fact that President Reagan logged so many miles on that thing is just mind-boggling - over 660k miles! That's a lot of travel 
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Still, it's cool to see that some things haven't changed - history still matters, and studying past successes can be super inspiring.
. I'd love to check out that mural and see where all those presidents worked from. The fact that we're even preserving these planes as part of our history is pretty amazing 
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I'm literally so stoked about SAM 27000 being on display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library 
, you know? I mean, can u even imagine being able to walk onto Air Force One and see where all those American presidents used it 
And omg, David Trulio is like, totally right about the parallels between Reagan's era and today 
... I mean, who doesn't want to learn from past successes? 
Anyway, I'm def gonna check it out ASAP, gotta see that plane up close and personal 
.
I mean, who wouldn't wanna fly on a plane with rotary phones & comfy chairs? 
The way the foundation preserved it as part of the library is so awesome, too. It's like stepping into history! 
. Still, I guess you gotta appreciate how far we've come. SAM 27000 is still a cool exhibit at the Reagan Library, though - it's awesome that people can step on board and get a feel for what life was like back then 
. And hey, who knows? Maybe studying history will help us figure out some of our current problems 
I guess you could say it's time to upgrade from "rotary phone" to "smartphone"... lol, okay maybe not that old school just yet 