[Curufinwe]

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Today in Toulouse (where I work and live), the new Airbus plane was shown to the public after years of development.
Several Heads of States and CEOs were there. It lasted for a few hours, but eventually, it turned up on TV
for further information, click here.
It really is impressive!
Can you imagine? 24 meters high (72ft), 80 meters long (240ft) and 80 meters of wing span (240ft) ... one engine is as wide as a 737 aircraft ... it can host as many as 555 people and up to 800 ...
I am proud today to be in the region where it has been made.

[Centurion_13]

Wow cool.

On that site it says you can win one.. what would I do with an 80x80x24 metre sized plane, thats bigger than my land and I certainly cant afford the feul.. although it would be cool to show off with, or go to school in.

[Curufinwe]

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you can win a mini model of the 380 ... not the actual $280 million one

[Centurion_13]

well I didnt look into it much.. I didnt know what I'd do with a $280 million plane. oir where I would store it. I would probably sell t to QANTAS or something.

[Paal_101]

It probably takes something in the order of $150,00-200,000 US to fuel that sucker up. And he'll burn a lot of that taking off 800 people, that is massive. I don't believe that the C-5 Galaxy, Antonov 224, or other large transport aircraft can carry that many. The Russians did build a monster ground-effect aircraft that could carry 1000 troops, but it only flew a few feet above the water (as was designed).

The A380 is a truely amazing airplane and I can't wait to see one Better yet catch a ride on one Three classes: first, business, and economy, that has to be a first in modern air travel. Plus all the components and control features are the same on all Airbus aircraft, meaning that conversion from A310s, 320s, 330s, and 340s will be a snap. My dad is an aircraft mechanic and he says that Airbus definately considers the AMEs when designing their airplanes.

Well Boeing has better get on the ball now, what with the 7E7 being cancelled.

[Mythos_Ruler]

Looks like a mighty big target for a terrorist.

[Curufinwe]

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the A380 is a relatively economic aircraft, using as little as 3 liters of fuel per passenger per 100km ... that is a lot less than the 747 for instance ...
I have been just at the foot of that aircraft this afternoon, after work ... I could not resist. They opened the site to the public after it was unveiled for the officials ... it was really massive ... but of course, photography prohibited. I had taken my camera in my jacket in case, but they clearly said it was FORBIDDEN ... whatever
You feel like a dwarf in front of it. I have taken 747s several times, but this one ... good lord, it seems it is twice as big as the 747 (but it is not obviously) ... whenever you guys come to France for a trip, come to Toulouse, and we'll go to the Airbus site to have a private visit (with my cousin who works on it)

[av_nefardec]

Quite amazing.

Wow, between this airplane and the Viaduc de Millau you Frenchmen have been on top of things lately

[Curufinwe]

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well, the French are proud enough ... do not tempt me in being more arrogant than an American person (JUST KIDDING !!!! NO NEED TO REPLY !!!!! )
Nah, to be honest, the Viaduc of Millau (70 miles from my hometown) is nto only a French project ... it is in France, true, but the architect is English ... and as for Airbus (40 miles from my hometown), it is even worse .. the project is French, German, English and Spanish, but many American companies provide Airbus with things ...
Actually, the French are just lucky that these two projects are made in France.
It gives a good image of engineering France all over the world

[EKen132]

Wow that looks like a cool plane. I knew airbus was coming out with a new one but I didn't know it was of such epic proportions .

[Yiuel]

In Canada, it seems we go small and quick (Bonbardier's Regional Jet). But we also have a long bridge : The Confederation Bridge, an old promise to PEI.

[Red_08]

I saw that baby on the news.
It is the coolest thing I've seen that flies.
(I like Santa's Ion Shield better overall. That's why I had to say that flies jk)

[av_nefardec]

true, but Sir Norman Foster didn't make the Viaduc alone. Anyways I want to see both of them.

[Mr.C]

I heard today that Canadian companies built the landing gears for the A380. Was it Bombardier for the nose gear and Goodyear for the wing gears? I guess they also have to adapt all kinds of airports so this guy can land, too. Definitely a cool airplane.


Cheers,
Mr.C

[Curufinwe]

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Good Year made the gears ... but in the near future, Bridgestone may do some as well ...
As for the Millau Bridge, I am going to Marseille to visit some friends in March, and I will surely take the bridge. I will take some pics when I am there.
In the winter, when it is foggy, the bridge looks like floating in the air, above the clouds ... really impressive.

[Centurion_13]

Qantas bought about 8 of these planes already. Nearly all of our airports need modifying

[Curufinwe]

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well, the modifying is a detail really ... San Francisco or LA announced a $400 million bill for midifications, but an independent agency said that it would not be more than $120 million (a lot for us, but not that much for huge airports )
Singapore for instance is only going to spend $20 million because the facilities are new enough, whereas in older airports like London or NY, the bill will be higher because the runways are older too ...

[King Tutankhamun]

Some of the seats look like day loungers! How awesome is that.

[Paal_101]

Evidently there are sleeper cabins and the possiblity for onboard casinos and mini-stores. Also heard something about a swimming pool

Its almost too much

[Curufinwe]

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Well, I doubt many airline companies will have jacuzzi and beds on board. They'd rather have extra space for cargo and more seats in economy ... but Virgin Atlantic said they would have casinos and duty free stores on board during the flight.