Airbus A380 Question

4eg – I would imagine that the Independents reporter heard the Mach number it will cruise at and then calculated the mph based on the typical speed of sound at the surface! Of course at the upper levels the same mach number will be slower.

I’ve just noticed in the specs given in the Independent article that the maximum speed is 670mph.

Isn’t that a bit high? That must be Mach 0.86 at least…

Here’s local BBC news report, which all seem to start bring the ‘latest’ news and then go on about dredging the river, oh by the way the wings were not designed at Broughton, only made there.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/3692949.stm

Paul

Take a look at this might explain
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=519220

Take a look at this

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/3690957.stm

Note the test aircraft, already there.

Paul

A380

Well, I found out who sent me the original email and it would appear he heard the news report wrong and that the delivery of the wings today is more likely to be the correct answer.
I myself didn’t think that the A380 was due for roll out until the later part of 2004.
Even though I have a more of a preference to military aircraft than civil, I’m looking forward to seeing the A380 take to the skies.

Thanks to all that replied, Plazz

Yep! I can remember the same relentless propaganda from Boeing Co. at the time of the creation of the 747 assembly plant. “Largest single roofspan” “Clearance of entire hillside and forest in days of endless rain etc, etc” I have a Boeing video which manages to fill 55 mins on this sole topic, again just a “warehouse” They all do it!

I have the same video , nice big warehouse then the folk who built the first 747 were called “THE INCREDIBLES ” , nice PR propaganda.

Yep! I can remember the same relentless propaganda from Boeing Co. at the time of the creation of the 747 assembly plant. “Largest single roofspan” “Clearance of entire hillside and forest in days of endless rain etc, etc” I have a Boeing video which manages to fill 55 mins on this sole topic, again just a “warehouse” They all do it!

Well you can’t blame them for publicising it can you. Both Airbus and Boeing are keen on all sorts of ceremonies marking milestones in the development of their new products.

And I think this particular new product deserves all the attention and fanfare it can be thrown at. I for one very much look forward to the day when the prototype rolls out in a few months’ time.

Certainly I will applaud when Airbus rolls out the 380. But here we are talking about a warehouse!

Interesting articles on BBC online-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/3690957.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3687629.stm

Look at airbus.com! That is all part of what I call the “PR-strategy of relentless bragging” by EADS and kinfolk.

Well you can’t blame them for publicising it can you. Both Airbus and Boeing are keen on all sorts of ceremonies marking milestones in the development of their new products.

And I think this particular new product deserves all the attention and fanfare it can be thrown at. I for one very much look forward to the day when the prototype rolls out in a few months’ time.

The “Final Assembly Hall” has been declared ready for service today.

7 May 2004
A380 ASSEMBLY SITE IS OPENED BY FRENCH PRIME MINISTER

Airbus’ A380 assembly facility in Toulouse, France, was formally inaugurated by French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin today, at a ceremony attended by some 4,000 guests, including customers, government officials, suppliers and employees.

The ceremony celebrated and thanked those who contributed to the building of the A380. It took place inside the facility – named to honour the memory of Jean-Luc Lagardère, co-Chairman of Airbus shareholder EADS at the time of A380 launch.

Beginning with a brief programme history, the event included speeches by Prime Minister Raffarin and Airbus President and CEO Noël Forgeard – plus the opening of giant curtains to reveal the first structural-test A380 in its assembly jigs. Both leaders also signed a commemorative plaque.
…
The A380 assembly building is one of the largest in the world, measuring 500m by 250 m, with a height of 46 m. It is the largest of several buildings on the site which, together, incorporate more than 32,000 tonnes of steel – the equivalent of four Eiffel towers or the Millau viaduct – plus 250,000 cubic metres of concrete.
…

Look at airbus.com! That is all part of what I call the “PR-strategy of relentless bragging” by EADS and kinfolk.

Most likely your friend misheard the announcement.

The first a380 wings were delivered today

I thought the first A380 wasn’t due untill sometime next year.