Virgin A380

Originally posted by robc
Yeah the market first need to get to the 380 stage first

exactly…..the current A380 orders are not sufficient for Airbus.

Yeah the market first need to get to the 380 stage first

Originally posted by robc
They will probably make a longer version of the 380, because right now its not that long its just double decker, but still shame to see the current giant replaced….

they wont leap to that very quickly.

Thanks for update

cheers for the report Cypriot eagle – i remember watching an A380 prgramme where they testred the landing gear loaded with Tons on Iron Bars!

They will probably make a longer version of the 380, because right now its not that long its just double decker, but still shame to see the current giant replaced….

Den einai tipota, kai egw se euharisto. 😉

em yeah

Greekdude ur correct. The information that I listed do not include the last order by Emirates.. the additional 20 ones.. thanks for the update

se euxaristo file mou

As big a Boeing fan as I am, I’m anxiously looking forward to the rollout and first flight of this beast. I thought Emirates’ order totalled 40+ after this recent transaction?

The A380 is not as ugly as people claim it is. I actually find it beautiful. originally it will host 555 people on a three class configuration as many people stated.

It is definetely going to be heavier than the B744 and the airports that more likely that bird will fly to (e.g. LHR, HKG, CDG, LAX, JFK, Sydney, Frankfurt, Dubai, etc) have already began testing and strengthening of the tarmac to withstand of that giant. Also ICAO recently developed a new Aerodrome Reference code for the runways. As stated in Annex 14 of ICAO, where the as “F” which means that the runways of the airports already stated must increase in width to allow aeroplanes with wingspan between 65m up to but not including 80m. This is needed because as you understand all the engines of the A380 must be under tarmac to minimise the possibility of engine damage from inrush of dust and any other debris from the ground.

A380 will have three decks, where the third deck will be based in its belly. However, due to health and safety regulations, Airbus is not allowed to place any seats on its belly, therefore the available will be used either as gym, or shops or restaurant or cinema, depending what the customer wishes. I am really anxious to see what Virgin Atlantic and Singapore will put at the belly of this aircraft.

Evacuating the aircraft in the event of forced landing will take place on all available exits, both first and second floor. Airbus developed a mock-up of the A380 and trials are made occasionaly to determine the fastest way of evacuating 555 people in the event of forced landing. I ve seen the mock-up and trust me it huge and the height is unbeliavable.

The airlines that ordered this bird so far are:

• Emirates 20 A380 and 2 A380F (freighter).
• Lufthansa 15 A380.
• Qantas 12 A380.
• Air France 10 A380.
• Singapore Airlines 10 A380.
• ILFC (International Leasing Finance Company) 5 A380 and 5 A380F.
• FedEx 10 A380.
• Virgin Atlantic Airways 6 A380.
• Qatar Airways 2 A380.

……… and more will come….

Its a bird im looking forward to see flying.. and a gamble for Airbus. If they get it right they won the lottery. They are claiming that they will repeat the Jumbo phenomenon of the late sixties where everybody was buying a Jumbo because it was considered as a must…. well times changed since then…, I wish them all the best.

I hope I managed to provide with some information regarding the bird. Airbus has released an Airport planning manual for the Bird! 🙂 If anybody wishes to download it is in the airbus website.

We stil have quite a wait for the giant then…:(

Ive heard rumors from a mate of mine who works at GKN aerospace that it is due around quarter 4 2004 up to and around end of quarter 1 2005.

When will a test model roll out?, surely for something this big and revolutionary, well in size, it must have to go through harder tests than normal?

I have never liked the aircraft. It’s big and ugly. However, there are advantages. I guess it could be said to people using public transport instead of their own vehicles – it will dramatically reduce the amount of pollution in the air.

Virgin scheme is okay, but does nothing for this already awful aircraft.

As for costing more to fly on – I don’t think so. It’s just another aircraft, it’s not supersonic, nothing fancy.

Is the top deck on the 380 higher than the top deck on the 747?

No different evacuating from the top deck of an A380, than from a 747. I saw that program also, Preston.

if u look closely the doors are staggered i.e. not above one and other for slide deployation – saw it on a programme on the Discovery Channel

well..although i think the evacuation from top deck should not be a problem, they must have that figured. But it will be a good slide ride.

I wouldn’t want to have to evacuate from the top deck.

How about this c/s…