Big & fat but chances are you'll ride it one day
Discussion
Well folks its here, the biggest flying machine since the Zeppelins (I think) taken yesterday Tolouse Airbus manufacturing plant.
First look at the 380 as it rolls out from the hanger in Toulouse, get used to this, as if you fly long haul especially to the Far East or Austrailia from 2006 this could be what you are on.
Am off to the official rollout next week but this is the first glimpse.
We take delivery in 2006 of No5 the first 3 are test models and Singapore Air get No4
First look at the 380 as it rolls out from the hanger in Toulouse, get used to this, as if you fly long haul especially to the Far East or Austrailia from 2006 this could be what you are on.
Am off to the official rollout next week but this is the first glimpse.
We take delivery in 2006 of No5 the first 3 are test models and Singapore Air get No4
I dont think the 1st airframe actualy flies does it, isnt it just a ground development one, 2nd being a test frame for flying?
Talking of the Zepplens - anyone think an Airship tour of places like Africa/china etc would be intresting, limited number of luxury cabins and a week or two 'cruise' ?
Talking of the Zepplens - anyone think an Airship tour of places like Africa/china etc would be intresting, limited number of luxury cabins and a week or two 'cruise' ?
Sorry to be an arse but whilst this will doubtless mean lower air fairs, or more profit for the airlines, I still have a little problem.
Nasty car crash - 2 or 3 dead.
Nasty rail crash - 20 dead lots injured.
Nasty plane crash - averyone on board.
I'm sure it wont ever happen but you have to think
Nasty car crash - 2 or 3 dead.
Nasty rail crash - 20 dead lots injured.
Nasty plane crash - averyone on board.
I'm sure it wont ever happen but you have to think
rude-boy said:
Sorry to be an arse but whilst this will doubtless mean lower air fairs, or more profit for the airlines, I still have a little problem.
Nasty car crash - 2 or 3 dead.
Nasty rail crash - 20 dead lots injured.
Nasty plane crash - averyone on board.
I'm sure it wont ever happen but you have to think
True, but if this was to take twice as many people as a standard plane then there would be half as many flights to shift the same amount of people.
Though saying that the consequences of one of these coming down on a populated area would be quite devisting.
>> Edited by rpguk on Monday 10th January 16:45
From www.airbus.com/media/a380_family.asp
Designed in close collaboration with major airlines, airports and airworthiness authorities, the 555-seat A380 is the most advanced, spacious and efficient airliner ever conceived. Launched in December 2000, the A380 will enter airline passenger service in 2006.
While meeting the most stringent international certification requirements, the A380 embodies the very latest technologies for materials, systems and industrial processes. Offering about a third more seating and far more available floor space than its closest competitor, the A380 will deliver an unparalleled level of comfort, with wider seats and aisles, open spaces for passengers to stretch their legs and access to lower-deck amenities. The A380's modern technology and economies of scale provide 15-20 per cent lower seat-mile costs and 10 per cent more range than today's largest aircraft. Consequently, the A380 will offer passengers a whole new way of flying and more affordable prices.
The A380 will carry more passengers further allowing for growing passenger numbers and helping to ease an increasingly congested environment. It will achieve this without increasing the number of air traffic movements and without negatively impacting the environment thanks to significantly reduced noise and emissions levels. Thanks to new generation engines and advanced wing and undercarriage design and technology, the A380 will not only comply with current noise limits but will be significantly quieter than today's largest airliner, meeting strict local regulations such as QC2 for departure at London airports. The A380 will generate half the noise level at take-off and carry 35 per cent more passengers than its competitor over distances such as London-Singapore and Los Angeles-Sydney.
And the A380's environmental friendliness does not stop at noise reductions. The economic fuel consumption of the A380 - around 13 per cent lower fuel burn than its closest competitor - will also help reduce the impact of exhaust gases on the atmosphere. Indeed, the A380 will be the first long-haul aircraft to consume less than three litres of fuel per passenger over 100 kilometres (95 miles per imperial gallon) - a fuel burn comparable with the best of small modern turbo-diesel cars.
While offering all the advantages of a completely new design, the A380 will extend the benefits of Airbus family commonality to the very large aircraft sector. Thanks to the same cockpit layout, procedures and handling characteristics, pilots will be able to make the transition to the A380 from other Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft with minimal additional training.
Designed in collaboration with some 60 major airports to ensure airport compatibility and a smooth entry into service the A380 provides the smartest and most economical solution to growing air traffic and airport congestion. The only alternative, an increase in frequencies of existing aircraft, would not only require billions of dollars of investment by airports (in new runways, terminals and even airports) but would also contribute to greater congestion and a significantly increased impact on the environment. Airbus' analysis of this issue has been irrefutably confirmed, both implicitly, through industry-wide participation in the programme from its outset, and explicitly, through the already remarkable success of the A380 on the market. To date, eleven customers have announced firm orders for a total of 129 A380s, including 17 freighter versions.
The A380 Family starts from a baseline passenger aircraft with a capacity of 555 passengers in three classes, and a range of up to 15,000 km./8,000 nm. The freighter version, the A380F, will carry a payload of 150 tonnes (330,000 lbs) over 10,400 km./5,600 nm. Stretched, shorter and extended range variants of the baseline version will become available as and when the market requires them. The A380 can be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines or GP7200 engines from The Engine Alliance (a General Electric and Pratt & Whitney joint venture).
Designed in close collaboration with major airlines, airports and airworthiness authorities, the 555-seat A380 is the most advanced, spacious and efficient airliner ever conceived. Launched in December 2000, the A380 will enter airline passenger service in 2006.
While meeting the most stringent international certification requirements, the A380 embodies the very latest technologies for materials, systems and industrial processes. Offering about a third more seating and far more available floor space than its closest competitor, the A380 will deliver an unparalleled level of comfort, with wider seats and aisles, open spaces for passengers to stretch their legs and access to lower-deck amenities. The A380's modern technology and economies of scale provide 15-20 per cent lower seat-mile costs and 10 per cent more range than today's largest aircraft. Consequently, the A380 will offer passengers a whole new way of flying and more affordable prices.
The A380 will carry more passengers further allowing for growing passenger numbers and helping to ease an increasingly congested environment. It will achieve this without increasing the number of air traffic movements and without negatively impacting the environment thanks to significantly reduced noise and emissions levels. Thanks to new generation engines and advanced wing and undercarriage design and technology, the A380 will not only comply with current noise limits but will be significantly quieter than today's largest airliner, meeting strict local regulations such as QC2 for departure at London airports. The A380 will generate half the noise level at take-off and carry 35 per cent more passengers than its competitor over distances such as London-Singapore and Los Angeles-Sydney.
And the A380's environmental friendliness does not stop at noise reductions. The economic fuel consumption of the A380 - around 13 per cent lower fuel burn than its closest competitor - will also help reduce the impact of exhaust gases on the atmosphere. Indeed, the A380 will be the first long-haul aircraft to consume less than three litres of fuel per passenger over 100 kilometres (95 miles per imperial gallon) - a fuel burn comparable with the best of small modern turbo-diesel cars.
While offering all the advantages of a completely new design, the A380 will extend the benefits of Airbus family commonality to the very large aircraft sector. Thanks to the same cockpit layout, procedures and handling characteristics, pilots will be able to make the transition to the A380 from other Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft with minimal additional training.
Designed in collaboration with some 60 major airports to ensure airport compatibility and a smooth entry into service the A380 provides the smartest and most economical solution to growing air traffic and airport congestion. The only alternative, an increase in frequencies of existing aircraft, would not only require billions of dollars of investment by airports (in new runways, terminals and even airports) but would also contribute to greater congestion and a significantly increased impact on the environment. Airbus' analysis of this issue has been irrefutably confirmed, both implicitly, through industry-wide participation in the programme from its outset, and explicitly, through the already remarkable success of the A380 on the market. To date, eleven customers have announced firm orders for a total of 129 A380s, including 17 freighter versions.
The A380 Family starts from a baseline passenger aircraft with a capacity of 555 passengers in three classes, and a range of up to 15,000 km./8,000 nm. The freighter version, the A380F, will carry a payload of 150 tonnes (330,000 lbs) over 10,400 km./5,600 nm. Stretched, shorter and extended range variants of the baseline version will become available as and when the market requires them. The A380 can be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines or GP7200 engines from The Engine Alliance (a General Electric and Pratt & Whitney joint venture).
Bugger me, thats a big'un.
I am amazed at the reliability of aircraft compared to cars.
OK, they cost considerably more but they are also much more complex.
You'd have to agree that if this thing was built to the same standard as a Peugeot 307 ( also French ) then you'd think twice about getting on it..
And is there anything in the rumour that TVR are thinking of going into aircraft to supplement the boat ( as well as car ) business? If so, let me know who buys one and I'll keep well away....
only kidding, honest..
As The Wiz posted above, this is an answer to the problems posed by current air travel. We demand it to be cheaper, with more space, fly longer and further without stops and expect to be able to carry more luggage on board.....
That coupled with the fact that we dont want to expand the air corridors, means that there is restricted space and capacity - yet we want more. Well, I am afraid that this is the answer that the industry has come up with. A ooking great plane....
People said that the 747 was a waste of time and that it would be a huge white elephant. Yet in reality it has been one of the biggest success stories. The new Airbus will steal a march on Boeing and level the market...
You might not like it for the possible problems (555 people on it), but the alternative is fewer planes, which means the tickets are more expensive, have cramped seats and fly infrequently....
That coupled with the fact that we dont want to expand the air corridors, means that there is restricted space and capacity - yet we want more. Well, I am afraid that this is the answer that the industry has come up with. A ooking great plane....
People said that the 747 was a waste of time and that it would be a huge white elephant. Yet in reality it has been one of the biggest success stories. The new Airbus will steal a march on Boeing and level the market...
You might not like it for the possible problems (555 people on it), but the alternative is fewer planes, which means the tickets are more expensive, have cramped seats and fly infrequently....
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