Personally I believe the E4 version of the RB211 is superb (and significantly better than the original versions). I am quite sold on the CFM56 even though they seem to run quite hot. The Trent is good however I still have a few minor issues with it which I hope will disappear with more time together.

Remembering the difficulties we used to have with brake cooling on the 757-300 on a typical charter turnaround I’d suggest that if it isn’t recommended in the flight manual I’d leave well alone. About as sensible as peeing on an electric fence IMO.

…And yes I read all the posts, but I find it hard to believe an airplane that is nearly 250 feet long can only carry up to 440 passengers. The 777-300 can carry up to 550!

But Phantom, you obviously still havn’t read all the above as I said on the 2nd of June ‘…If the need arose then Airbus could up the limit with further testing…’.

Therein lies your answer.

You mean to tell me the A340-600 is only rated for carrying up to 440 people?

What if any were ever ordered for East Asian Domestic routes where the number of people per plane has to be huge. 747-400’s operating in that role carry up to 568 people.

Surely the A340-600 can at least carry 500?

440 for the -300 sounds right, but the -500 and -600? And what about the -200?

P.S. Aren’t both models of the A330 rated for up to 440 pax?

Phantom – have you considered reading the posts above before replying? :p

Things don’t get put into service without testing them first. When I say ‘daily basis’ I mean that it is constantly being evolved rather than literally uploading a different piece of software each day!

SC – More than happy to divulge next time we meet! Glad to hear that you havn’t had any finger trouble…but then your airline wasn’t one of them!

Nice little dig there Wys.

Have you ever considered that Boeing are using the fuel system they do because they know it works and does not need updating? Unlike its buggy Airbus counterpart?

Sorry Sandy but I can identify 3 separate cases of B744 fuel system ‘finger trouble’ this year alone, so I’d hardly say it works well and wouldn’t benefit from updating. Apologies for saying that lack of FCMC’s means downgrading to operating like a Boeing but that’s just how it is whether you like it or not.

Shadow1 – The FCMC architecture was changed totally from the A343 to the A346 as the fuel system is very very different between the two. Airbus software is constantly being updated on a day to day basis to include the latest developments (something you cannot easily do on a non-computer driven aircraft) so even an old aeroplane is constantly evolving.

While probably pilot error there is a phenomenon with VHF frequencies known as PLOC (prolonged loss of communication) currently under investigation where aircraft normally capable of receiving (within line of sight) do not.