A380 at Gatwick...

[coogy]

I work at Gatwick, fair enough. This evening, something seems to have happened at Heathrow resulting in loads of diverted flights landing at Gatwick. On the bus on the way to the staff car parks (at the arse end of the runway), I glanced across and thought "My that’s a big bugger", it took a few minutes to realise that it was actually a Singapore Airlines A380 parked on the tarmac! Holy cow its big boy isn't it!?

That’s the first time one has ever come to visit us. Pretty dull I know, but that’s as exciting as it gets on a Sunday evening at Gatwick!

(Edited for poor spelling)

Edited by coogy on Sunday 10th August 22:29

[downthepub]

I saw one at LHR a few months ago, they are big beasts!

[eharding]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/rumours-news/338666-g...

Fire alarm in the Heathrow tower caused the diversions.

[coogy]

Ah, nice one. Thats solves that little mystery

[elster]

Have seen several when visiting parents in France.

Seeing a few of them together and you realise they are absolutely mahooosive!

[daveenty]

Worked in Toulouse for a bit. (Much too long really)

Here's MSN 004 as it was brought to flight test before the maiden flight, next to a A340-600.

Still think it looks a bit dumpy, though the stretched version will hopefully sort the perspective out.

CLICK ME

[smithsi]

Flew in last night and past within 50 feet of the Singapore airlines A380, big old plane. Would be interested to see what it looks like inside (or whether they are just going to cram people in like Sardines).

[Puggit]

Was sitting in an Air Canada 777 (a big enough plane!) at LHR when an A380 took off past us in the pouring rain. A very impressive sight, shifting all that water!

Also seen one fly over our house in Reading on approach to LHR.

[j18esm]

hi there guys i live in Horley next to Gatwick, and i saw it come in last night aswell, about 7pm ish, i was driving towards the motorway and had to stop on the hard shoulder as i couldnt belive this thing was coming towards me, it was like something out of independence day. lol

[Finlandia]

coogy said:

I work at Gatwick
On the bus on the way to the staff car parks (at the arse end of the runway)

Apply for a car-share parking permit, pain in the arse to park at the far end on the runway, and all those speedbumps will ruin your car

[coogy]

j18esm said:

hi there guys i live in Horley next to Gatwick, and i saw it come in last night aswell, about 7pm ish, i was driving towards the motorway and had to stop on the hard shoulder as i couldnt belive this thing was coming towards me, it was like something out of independence day. lol

I work with your mate Darren. Love the car btw

Edited by coogy on Monday 11th August 15:40

[Little Dave]

Seen the white Cerb a few times in Horley. Got to love the noise.

Back on topic is it true that an A380 will not fit under the bridge at the North Terminal?

[BoRED S2upid]

You want to see the big bugger that carrier the wings from Broughton, now thats a big plane!.

[speedchick]

The plane that carries the wings is not big enough for the A380 wings, they travel to Toulouse on a boat.

But yes, the transporter is a bigun, it can carry nearly a full fuselage for the 340. (and can also carry the wings for all the other aircraft in the fleet) It just can't carry any A380 bits

[The Curn]

Just booked business class returns to New Zealand on the A380 with Singapore Airlines for the Mrs, the sprog and me.

Never seen one in the flesh but actually quite looking forward to it now.

Four seats across the entire width of the plane!

The only downside is a 30 hour flight with an 11 month old kid (it's the other passengers I feel for!)

[Blib]

Saw one fly at Farnborough this year. It blew my cap off on take off and then displayed some astounding manouevres for such an enormous aircraft.

Quite astonishing really.

[645ci]

Saw one at DXB running under some vigrous heating tests on the engines engines and fuselage

[coogy]

Little Dave said:

Seen the white Cerb a few times in Horley. Got to love the noise.

Back on topic is it true that an A380 will not fit under the bridge at the North Terminal?

Been chatting to a few people around the airport. They general feeling is, yes it will fit under there, just. No idea if its true or not though. I'd like to think it will as the bridge isn't that old!

[Turbo5]

daveenty said:

Worked in Toulouse for a bit. (Much too long really)

Here's MSN 004 as it was brought to flight test before the maiden flight, next to a A340-600.

Still think it looks a bit dumpy, though the stretched version will hopefully sort the perspective out.

CLICK ME

I am across the road facing the concorde, (a few times per month) we do all the engine podding (nacelles) on the A380, A330, A340

[Stedman]

So annoyed i didn't see this beast. As an aspiring pilot and living the closest side of Crawley i missed a bit of an opportunity huh?!

j18esm-Don't act surprised if a red ka flashes you randomly...it (probably) will be me!