As The Airbus A380 SuperJumbo took to the air at 10:30, Europeans can celebrate another victory in the 'war of the skies'. Designed and built in Europe with European software.
Congratulations to all the European Engineers who took part in this momentous occasion!
Congratulations to all the European taxpayers who subsidized this venture!
....and you're just jealous 'cos we've got the worlds biggest airliner ;-o
Boeing, Airbus each accuses the other of having unfair subsidies.
John
V true - it's just sad that the engineering achievement that goes into both companies ventures can be overshadowed by the politics.
Tick - just to be sure, my last post was meant in jest!
I'd rather see my tax =A3 go on this that trying to save the remnants of the UK car industry :-(
No sweat. Just trying to find the angle where all of Europe's citizens can quantify feeling like they actively participated. ;)
A great achievement, to be sure.
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These loans cost far less that more than 1 000 000 000 $ a day of military spending. I'ts good for the business too.
( I've read that the U.S. military budget request for Fiscal Year 2005 is $420.7 billion , nearly Ten Times Amount Spent by the Second Highest Country )
Jean,
Wow,, looks real big and lumbering taking off. Can it take off and land in the same distance as say, a 747 ?? Or will airports have to lay down more runway ??
Mark
Less weight distribution per wheel than 747, runways dont need strengthening or widening. Less fuel burn than 747, airlines need to work on parking areas due to increased width, passport control need enlarging to cater for more passengers. Emirates and Virgin Airlines planning on 480 passengers with luxury interiors, bedrooms, casino, health studios, shopping areas and bowling alley??? (Sir Richard Branson). Other airlines plan on 550 which is the standard configuration and the 'pack em in, sandwich and cold drink' airlines carrying 850 passengers. The future or another 'white elephant'? Airbus SuperJumbo or Boeing's 'Dreamliner'?
MM wrote:
Caltex,
I wansn't concerned with it busting the tarmak. How "long" does the runway have to be to take off. How much is needed to slow that huge mass down on landing. Those engines look big. Must be 10-12 feet in diameter at the intake.
Mark
Mark,
Runways that can land the 747 do not need lengthening. The Rolls Royce engines that powered the prototype are at the lower end of their operational capacity. Therefore as they increase the power it will lead to extended configurations within the body. The proto was a 550 seater.
Caltex
Mark Mossberg wrote:
Rolls Royce Trent Engines I believe, and not a bad guess - I think
9'6" fan.I also think they are planning the next version for use on the dreamliner - so anyone working for Rolls Royce will at least have job security !! ;-) - which ever wins the airline wars.
Jonathan
Is this plane more economically in terms of fuel/passenger? or fuel/weight?
On one thing I am sure - there are many medium sized airports were it can't land because of its wide wing span! + to board and offboard from it can take allot of time unless the airport terminal is equipped with enough boarding sleeves in the right configuration.
In engineering terms it is a magnificent achievement, but I'm not totally convinced that the practical sides and economical sides of the project will justify themselves in future especially when the terror threats are increasing every day.
Just my two cents,
Gil Alsberg
Sales figures (I haven't even looked) will be the indicator of feasibility.
People never cease to amaze me.
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