Apparently Google and NASA are best buds these days. Despite the fact that NASA’s Moffett Federal Airfield is off limits to private aircraft, they decided to allow Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s Boeing 767 plane land at their field. The reason Google’s co-founders want to land there is all a matter of convenience. You see, Moffett field is located in Google Land (a.k.a. Mountain View, California) which means when they land, it’s only a short drive (about 2 miles) to the Googleplex.
The clearance to land the Google Jet at Moffett Airfield didn’t come for free though, it’ll cost Page and Brin 1.3 million each year. And not only do they have to pay the parking fee, they’re also required to carry NASA scientists and equipment on the various Google planes. I suppose when both co-founders are worth $17 billion each, they have the money to splurge on a jet, and the fee to land at the airfield of their choice.
Below is a Google Map which shows just how close the Googleplex is to Moffett Airfield which helps to explain why Larry and Sergey wanted to make a deal with NASA.
It seems a bit ironic to me though, that Google focuses so much on "going green" with their Googleplex Solar Power Project, and their recent investment in green transportation solutions, yet they own 3 jets with one of them large enough to hold 180 passengers but modified to hold 50 passengers once "amenities" were added. Sounds like a waste of energy to me!
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Well they are taking around Scientists which do a tone for the environment and HOLY CRAP IT THAT A GOOGLE PLANE!
But wait, there’s more! Google is sponsoring a $30M X-prize race to the moon (yes it’s the sequel to the Ansari X prize into orbit). Just think how much global warming is going to be induced by all the failed rocket attempts trying to launch moon rovers over the next 5 years.
On the other hand, think of the greenhouse gas they’re saving by not taking a taxi from the nearest international airport… they can probably drive an electric golf cart over to the airfield.
Or maybe, being the innovative duo they are, they have figured out how to power a 767 using ad-supported, fair trade biodiesel.
Maybe their plane actually generates power?
When it comes to being “green” it’s easy to tell others how they should live, it’s a lot more difficult to take your own advice.
I wonder what stock-holders think about these spending habits?
Of course, it’s also easier to be green when you can’t afford things like personal transportation, let alone personal 767s or private airfields close to home…
You know, that just made me think that I’m surprised they didn’t just build their own airport for their jet.
They probably couldn’t bribe enough city officials.