But major maintenance is 13 years away.
According to the Boeing Maintenance Schedule, the first major check is after 13 years on the line. We shall see!

Isn't BA 763 heavy maintenance done at LHR with the Minibuses at GLA and the B744 / B777s at CWL?

I'm not totally familiar with the Boeing AMPs; do Boeing aircraft not have 5 or 6 year checks?

Or to put it more simply, it is the largest commercial aircraft in the world, BA are still one of the world's greatest airlines, and the A380 will generate 20x the news coverage of the Nightmareliner.

I appreciate that there have been delays, but introducing two new types so closely together seems like a fair chunk of work for even an organisation the size of BA to swallow! :ooh:

And maybe that is why the A380 is being introduced first as it is around its anticipated in service date, whereas the Boeing is somewhat tardy in that respect.

Thread drift
ClaybirdSorry but, to me, the A380 is one of the most pig ugly beasts ever to fly. :yuk:
As you were!

Totally agree PaxBoy.

I'm no fan of A380's or the equally uninspiring B787 and A350. In fact a lot of the interest has gone now we're offered mostly twin-engined cattle trucks that look very similar. Imagine the commercial aviation scene when MD11's, MD80's/MD90's and the T-tail regional jets are replaced by yet more wing-mounted twins. :(

Ah, glad to see another of the old school on here! ;)

The big twins are all so bland. I understand - of course - why the world has gone to big twins but they have no elegance or sense of spirit about them. Small twins are fine, the 738 with winglets is beautiful.

VC10
747-400
Concorde

and that's about it!

To me it still looks like a toy, but much better in BA colours than other liveries I have seen so far. Why oh why is the lettering not centred between the upper and lower sets of windows though?

Also why does it have a French reg in that picture?

All Toulouse built aircraft will have a test registration before delivery, it won't be G-XLEA until it's on its' way to the UK.

Quote: "Sorry but, to me, the A380 is one of the most pig ugly beasts ever to fly."

The word "whalejet" comes to mind! yes, another of the old school. For me the jumbo 747 is unbeatable.

However, not yet been on the "whalejet", so this purely about appearance.



Quote: "Totally agree PaxBoy.

I'm no fan of A380's or the equally uninspiring B787 and A350. In fact a lot of the interest has gone now we're offered mostly twin-engined cattle trucks that look very similar. Imagine the commercial aviation scene when MD11's, MD80's/MD90's and the T-tail regional jets are replaced by yet more wing-mounted twins"



Quote: "Ah, glad to see another of the old school on here! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...lies/wink2.gif

The big twins are all so bland. I understand - of course - why the world has gone to big twins but they have no elegance or sense of spirit about them. Small twins are fine, the 738 with winglets is beautiful.

VC10
747-400
Concorde

and that's about it!"

Yes, as far as appearance is concerned, it's the same with cars: compare the bland specimens of today which all look alike and the characters of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

787
 

I believe first flight of a BA787 happened in the small hours here but not G-ZBJA which I think has yet to fly.

Quote aken from the Boeing Test flights Bl*g

"L/N 111 C/N 38610 B787-8 G-ZBJB British Airways
Dep PAE 16:52 PDT Arr PAE 18:30 PDT via MWH
Call Sign BOE451 Hex Code 40688F"

I wonder why B before A?

Pete

I wonder why B before A? cos it does in British Airways...sorry

"Yes, as far as appearance is concerned, it's the same with cars: compare the bland specimens of today which all look alike and the characters of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s."

there reason being of course that the current configuration has been proved to be the most cost effective to build, run and maintain

Until there is some technical breakthrough that requires more experimentation we're stuck with the "Boeing" standard I'm afraid

Anyone (such as HondaJet) are taking a hell of a risk departing from the path

It is a simple case of form following function. Jet A1 is simply far too expensive to allow for anything else. The MD11s were a totally different matter - are there even any left as freighters visiting UK airports?

I think we can accept the airline industry is run by beancounters and that is what SLF want - keeping spotters happy isn't part of the game.

My real lament is that we can't do the same in the housing industry - simple, modern houses using the latest energy saving designs, instead of horrid pastiche cookie cutter boxes, but I guess that's a diversion for Jet Blast :ugh:

Boeing 787-836 G-ZBJA has been sealed up windows blacked and joined the other 30 or so in storage and queuing awaiting the mods necessary to gain airworthy status by the looks of it.

View the Paine blogs elsewhere.

Some of those frames have been in store for 2 + years !

MD-11s
 

jabird

Regarding your question are there any MD-11 freighters still visiting UK airports?

Answer) London Stansted has regular calls by Martinair and FedEx MD-11s and has recently had calls by several UPS aircraft along with the odd visits from other carriers such as World.

Err - no it hasn't :ugh:

Think 'BJC is the frame in question.

I just booked our latest trip to LHR/YVR in Club World, upper deck on the 747 and as far as I am concerned that is the way to fly, just love the 747 and upstairs it is quiet and super comfortable.

We make the flight fairly regularly and I will probably weep when the 747 retires if the replacement is not as good - will it be 777, 787 or A380 anyone know?

If it is the 777 I will be giving Virgin a call.......!