A380 - combined threads

[MADGASTERS]

What time is the A380 due in at Heathrow on Thursday:)

Try post number 724:ugh:

[Chippie Chappie]

bobby_101

...wondering where the best spot to see the a380 on may 18th is gonna be

I'd say anywhere on terra firma whether it be on the 18th or any other day :ooh:

Now, off to Spotters Balcony you go....

[Kirk Biddlecombe]

I hope the 27's are in use. Because 27L has great approach views for spotting and I think on the 18th May 27L will be used if it arrives before 1500 (If they're coming in heading West).

Kirk

[Jerricho]

Yeah, a nice easterly approach over White Waltham could be interesting.

Any update on that increased wake turbulence separation?

[Gonzo]

Still 10 miles behind it on approach, and an extra minute behind it on departure. Not sure when they'll get around to revising that.

[2miles600feet]

In fact, 27R is the arrival runway prior to 1500, but if it is westerlies it will land on 27L out of alternation.

[Jerricho]

What about vertically Gonze. We're being told 2000'.

[2miles600feet]

In the UK a conservative and impractical 1500'

[Jerricho]

Still........somebody remind me circuit height at Waltham again? ;)

[Airbus Student]

We have been told that it is overshooting Filton around midday, it will also fly over Broughton around this time, before heading towards Heathrow. It has however cancelled its visit to our Families day on the 10th June, reason given was due to flight testing.

Will anyone else on this forum be airside when it lands?

[night hawk 150]

im coming from ipswich and will leave really early however where can i go to find a good viewing point please someone help as i don't want a wasted journey.

thanks in advance

craig


maybe if someone can give me a postcode of a great viewing area and maybe i can do an AA route planner

[colmac747]

Why ain't it going straight to PIK? :8

Berlin to Heathrow is only minutes away....give it a real test and fly to GLA or PIK!



:}

[BOAC]

CDG1 has (in a first post!) pointed out that some of the local pubs will be holding 'celebrations' for the arrival, but unfortunately the post was in breach of the forum advertising rules.

Since the car parking fee, however, is declared to be going to the Vulcan to the Sky Trust those who wish to support the trust and toast the arrival of the big bird in Bedfont can PM CDG1 (http://www.pprune.org/forums/member.php?u=76566) for information on the pub he has mentioned.

The second link was to a specialist forum for Concorde fans, and I know that Danny is not keen on advertising other aviation forums:) . Again, Concorde 'nutters' can PM CDG1:ok:

[Superpilot]

With the A380 scheduled to arrive next week 18th May, can the LHR Director (if on Easterlies) please by chance try and make sure the big bird has a nice long approach prefereably doing its turn onto finals over Reading?
That would be a nice site to see!! :)
thanks
z..

And equally if coming from the North East, can we please ensure a lovely 60 deg (or more) intercept angle above LCY. I promise some great photos! ;)

[Tonic Please]

Through the grapevine it's coming into EGLL next week. :E

News?

Try post number 724:ugh:

[Airbus Student]

bobby_101,

I believe they mean airside when they say admitted, I am lucky enough to be going to the event with Airbus, and have been told that we will be airside when the 380 lands.

[Flightman]

Rumour has it that Airbus have requested it be cleared to 2000ft, 20 miles out, then cruise in. Good for publicity they think.

If the 27's are in use, then quite what impression that will have on the anti-airport, anti-aircraft, and anti-noise lobby ( ie low and noisy! ) I hate to think. The big old bus will be predjudiced before it even gets a chance. :ugh:

[Jas1]

Does any one know what time it is scheduled to arrive at Lhr? cheers...

[Gonzo]

Other thread:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2548079&postcount=724

[Mr_Grubby]

18/5 A/C will leave Berlin SXF

18/5 ETA HAWARDEN 1040Z (GO-AROUND)
ETA FILTON 1110Z (GO-AROUND)
ETA LHR 1220Z (LANDING)



Still planned as F-WWDD (With substitute being F-WWOW)

The A380 will be 'photo-chased' from the Bristol area to approach to
LHR by SN601 Corvette F-GPLA (PHOTO A/C).

[EGCC4284]

Any chance you boys at Man can talk them into it.

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2583484&posted=1#post2583484

[bagpuss lives]

We wish :E

[Kapella]

What would the top of the car park at T3 be like for viewing? Can you see the south runway at all?

[Leezyjet]

What would the top of the car park at T3 be like for viewing? Can you see the south runway at all?

Rubbish and you would be moved on by plod.

im coming from ipswich and will leave really early however where can i go to find a good viewing point please someone help as i don't want a wasted journey.


Best place if it's on 09R would be on the A3044 or by the Old Esso Garage on the Southern Perimeter road - lot's of big grass verges to park on - although you do risk being moved on by plod - they were very lenient with Concorde's final flights though.

On 27L, best places are in the Hatton X area, or down by Myrtle Avenue. You could also watch from the ramp from the A30 upto the Hilton, on the grassy hill.

Check out this guide of LHR locations (Mod's I posted to answer the numerous questions that will no doubt be posted in the next couple of days regarding locations - could you allow the link to show for a few days)

http://www.londonaviation.co.uk/photoguide/lhr.htm

Will anyone else on this forum be airside when it lands?

Yes.


:ok:

[GK430]

Anyone know what time it will show up at Filton?

[Squadgy]

niteflite01. I don't suppose you chaps at EGCC know the timings of the flypast at Hawarden do you?

[Cahlibahn]

The Filton go-around is scheduled for 11:10Z (12:10 local)

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

niteflite01. Yep... ask Pete Bish about the Daks at Heathrow. The sky tends to fall in!!

[GK430]

Thanks - sounds like a minimal effort to show it off.....

[oldlag53]

Scheduled arrival time is 1320 local, May 18th, callsign AIB001. After a nightstop, departure is 0555 (ouch!) on the 19th.

As I understand it, the A380 will only be landing on 09R/27L, as it is only able to negotiate the southern taxiways at LHR...

[jay_hl]

18/5 A/C will leave Berlin SXF

18/5 ETA HAWARDEN 1040Z (GO-AROUND)

ETA FILTON 1110Z (GO-AROUND)

ETA LHR 1220Z (LANDING)

Still planned as F-WWDD (With substitute being F-WWOW)

The A380 will be 'photo-chased' from the Bristol area to approach to LHR by SN601 Corvette F-GPLA (PHOTO A/C).

[GK430]

BAA has only invested in Code F infrastructure mods for 380 from 09R/27L to related aprons/stands. In event of rwy closure in future, EGLL designated alternate.

Anyone know if this will be an "all white" aircraft or liveried for the 18th?

[ALLDAYDELI]

OLDLAG- can you be specific for Friday 19th if its 0555lt or 0555z (I assume you mean ZULU) as 0555local is a tad early for departures.
thanks for the schedules updates.

[oldlag53]

I have doublechecked and it is definitely 0555 local time...maybe Airbus couldn't get a better slot!! :):)

[360BakTrak]

An hour and ten minutes from Filton to Heathrow?! Are they planning on getting lost en-route?!:E

[GK430]

Not too early to get back to Toulouse for a late breakfast!

F-WWDD is at ILA - so which one over here?

[jay_hl]

An hour and ten minutes from Filton to Heathrow?! Are they planning on getting lost en-route?!:E

Don't shoot the messenger! :rolleyes:

[ScotPilot]

Sorry if it is old news but A380 is due in to LHR for the first time at 1330L on 18th May - I guess it might be busy!

[Taildragger67]

Assuming using the 27s, any idea if there's a particular approach they'd fly?

[PAXboy]

VERY old news. So many threads started about this one a/c that the mods have combined them:
Merged A380 threads (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=197059&page=39) :ugh:

[SATCO]

It's all Filton and Heathrow! What about Hawarden/Broughton?

Anyone know a circuit time for EGNR on the 18th please... Filton's not having it all to itself!

SATCO

[Cahlibahn]

Hi there, SATCO. ETA for the Hawarden go-around is 10:40Z

Aircraft is planned to be F-WWDD departing from Berlin SXF and returning there on the 19th

[SATCO]

Thanks Cahlibahn!

You're the only one that seems to know! See you at the gates at Wood Lane!

[Airline Tycoon]

It will land and depart on 27L/09R.

[DiscoChocolate]

Stupid question, but does 1040Z = 1140 local time at the moment?

:\

YES

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<Assuming using the 27s, any idea if there's a particular approach they'd fly?>>

Not too sure what taildragger means by "particular approach" - it'll be radar-vectored to the ILS like everything else; that's the standard procedure at Heathrow.

[Taildragger67]

Just meant eg. hold at Lambourne instead of Biggin (if hold at all), likely to be vectored over (or not over) particular areas... basically I'll be in the City and I'd like to have an idea of where I should be looking (other than "up", you lot of smarties)

I seem to recall that on the last Concorde arrival, they established a loooooong way out East?

[bagpuss lives]

If the a/c routes from the DESIG direction towards EGNR, as we usually shove 'em, then there's a good chance you'll spot it to the north of 'CC anyway, at a reasonably low level.

[MerchantVenturer]

ITV West News said that the A 380 will fly over the Bristol Downs and Clifton Suspension Bridge either before or after the Filton flypast - they were a bit vague.

G-BOAF did this and then flew out to the southern Cotswolds before turning and landing at Filton from the east for the last time.

Would be sort of apposite if the last Concorde flight and the first A 380 flight to the UK followed a broadly similar route over the city region that put (and in the case of the 380 is still putting) so much life into them.

[Slavedriver]

Ah but Concorde was a beautiful aircraft. This beast is the ugliest thing to fly since pigeons developed wings.

[fourplay]

hehehehehhehehehehehhe Your funny! :} :} :}

Its a 330 on steriods gone wrong.

[GK430]

oh dear, 'DD in standard Airbus livery:bored: :bored:

it was much better in UAE livery, but guess at least the RR stickers on the Trents will be back:ok:

[Airbus Student]

LeezyJet,

Will you be at the reception being held?

If so I might see you there.

[055166k]

Out of Berlin for fly-by Hawarden....down the airway for fly-by Filton....down the airway towards OCK. ATC told spacing minimum 15 miles behind and nothing closer than 2000 feet below until wake vortex assessment completed.
Or so I believe.

[angelorange]

Part of the task will be to check the effect the A380 has on the ILS - in particular the localiser interaction with the huge fin - so expect it to be tugged around the airfield to various positions - CAT 1,2,3 and taxiways whilst FPL do their calibration checks.

Just completed a similar task at Leige and Schipol with a 747.

The A380 fin is quite a bit larger than on 747's, although being composite may mean it has less of a reflective effect on the localiser unless it happens to be raining!

More on FPL at: www.flightprecision.co.uk

As always we appreciate your patience whilst the FPL BE20 positions for the runs. The sooner it's over the sooner the system will return to normal.

[Leezyjet]

Will you be at the reception being held?


Not unless I can blag my way in. :ok:

I'll just be another yellow jacket standing on the ramp watching.

if its coming from filton then how can it be flying over london as well?

Umm well lets see. It'a an AIRcraft. That means it is able to move through the air and can be made to go anywhere the little men inside want it to. It is not restricted to following roads like a car so flying over London is entirely possible in the same day as flying over Bristol !!!.

:hmm:

[MerchantVenturer]

lol... ok... so i finalli found out where filton is...lol...
for those who like me didnt know its next to bristol in the west country...
hmmm... if its coming from filton then how can it be flying over london as well?
bobby

Filton is in the north of the Bristol conurbation near the M4/M5 junction. It was originally the home of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, an organisation that amalgamated and was absorbed down the decades.

Such famous aircraft as the Bristol Boxkite, Bristol Fighter, Bristol Blenheim, Beaufort and Beaufighter, Bristol Brabazon, Bristol Britannia and, the most famous of the lot, Concorde were all built and/or designed there. The company was also a maker of aero engines and a large Rolls Royce aero engine facility still exists at neighbouring Patchway.

Filton is roughly 100 miles to the west of Heathrow and one of the joys of a fine summer evening, sadly no longer, was to first hear, then see, Concorde flying over her home city on the final part of her journey from New York.

[myrtleman]

Judging from the weather forecast it looks as though LHR will be on westerly approaches this Thursday (18/5). So presumably 27L will be the landing runway (out of alternation) on the day.

Great for us who live right under the flightpath!!


MM

[Wycombe]

So something like MALBY-NIGIT-OCK after the Bristol fly-by's should take it nice and close to Wycombe Towers in W Berks. Think I'll be out in the garden hoping for a bit of CAVOK :ok:

[supercarb]

Such famous aircraft as the Bristol Boxkite, Bristol Fighter, Bristol Blenheim, Beaufort and Beaufighter, Bristol Brabazon, Bristol Britannia and, the most famous of the lot, Concorde were all built and/or designed there. The company was also a maker of aero engines and a large Rolls Royce aero engine facility still exists at neighbouring Patchway.


Not forgetting that today Filton is responsible for the design of the wings, landing gear and fuel systems of Airbus aircraft including the A380.

[boguing]

So, for a layman whose son is at school about a mile from OCK, can anyone give me a probability of it using OCK - and a stab at a time?

Got the headmistress to let the kids out if we are likely to see it.

Thanks.

[ALLDAYDELI]

wx for tommorow not so good. Strong Westerly wind & rain forecast.
Crowd control barriers & police no parking cones on Western/Southern peri road near Stanwell Moor today. Beware.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

This is all getting a bit silly! For those who aren't familiar..... aircraft flying into Heathrow are radar controlled until they are on final approach. If the wind is from the west the usual route for traffic from the Bristol direction would be to Ockham, thence by radar vectors over south London on to the ILS for 27L/R. Normal intercept point is around 10 miles out, but this distance can vary enormously depending on other traffic. The precise routeing is entirely up to the radar controller. If things are quiet it may not even get to Ockham, but maybe "snatched" between Woodley and Ockham for a long downwind..

If the wind is from the east it would still route to Ockham, but then fly back west over Byfleet, Chobham, Scot, etc to join the 09 ILS about 10 miles west of Heathrow, thence over Windsor to the airport. BUT.. if there was a slot in the landing stream in might join the ILS 25 miles west of the airport for a straight-in approach and not go to Ockham.

It is impossible to say in advance exactly where it will fly over but anyone who is familiar with the approach patterns to Heathrow will have a reasonable idea. I can't imagine it getting near Lambourne at all.... But who knows?

[Taildragger67]

lol... ok... so i finalli found out where filton is...lol...


Bobby,

What does "lol" mean?

Text-speak for 'lots of laughs'

[ExSimGuy]

oh dear, 'DD in standard Airbus livery:bored: :bored: it was much better in UAE livery, but guess at least the RR stickers on the Trents will be back:ok:
Well I'd certainly hope that it was RR engines with the stickers on, not a few Pratts with RR stickers :=

[oncemorealoft]

Anyone know what callsign prefix Airbus flights such as this would adopt?

Many thanks

[chevvron]

Foxtrot whisky whisky

[GK430]

ExSimGuy,

I was taken aback slightly at DXB show where Emirates obviously had a lot of clout in the presentation of the 380. The great silver RR stickers had been blatantly removed, as EK had sided with the GP variant. But hey - it was powered by trents and many were impressed by the low db levels.(Okay it was very light!) A touch of hypocrisy, I thought!
I'll dig out a photo later.

GK

[jet2us]

Hiya, so does anyone have some more up2date timings for "DD" or any knowledge of the flight plan details. Im intending to catch it from 27 rather than 09 hopefully anoyone know of any good pubs down this way?? I gather somewhere along the approcah will be a reasonable place to see it from?

Anyone that can shed any more last minute light on it would be much appreciated and also does anyone know what the aircrafts full programme for Farnborough is? Will it be displaying or static?

Cheers

[Bob1981]

Hey Everyone

I'm keen to get some footage of the A380 flying over filton on camera.

Can anyone suggest a good place to setup?

Thanks

Bob

[SATCO]

Hiya, so does anyone have some more up2date timings for "DD" or any knowledge of the flight plan details. Im intending to catch it from 27 rather than 09 hopefully anoyone know of any good pubs down this way?? I gather somewhere along the approcah will be a reasonable place to see it from?

Anyone that can shed any more last minute light on it would be much appreciated and also does anyone know what the aircrafts full programme for Farnborough is? Will it be displaying or static?

Cheers

THE BIRD WILL BE AT OCK AT 1205Z AND EGLL AT 1212Z

[Mudfoot]

Found this update on my intranet site, for your info.
--------------------------------------------------
BRITISH PILOT TO FLY SUPERJUMBO INTO HEATHROW

Peter Woodman

17 May 2006

Press Association Newswire
British test pilot Ed Strongman will be at the controls tomorrow as the world's biggest passenger airliner, the Airbus A380, flies into Britain for the first time.

The 555-seater double-decker plane, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, is flying from the Berlin Air Show to Heathrow airport in west London.

Among those greeting the 240ft-long aircraft at Heathrow's new £105 million pier 6 at Terminal 3 will be Chancellor Gordon Brown.

En route from Berlin, Mr Strongman and his crew will be taking the £170 million plane over two Airbus UK plants - Broughton in North Wales, where the A380's huge wings are made, and Filton in Bristol.

The A380, which is due to go into passenger service at the end of this year, will stay at Heathrow for airport-compatibility tests before returning to Berlin in the early hours of Friday morning.

Heathrow operator BAA is spending £450 million to enable the airport to be ready to take the A380 and other ultra-large aircraft of the future. Other work has included runway resurfacing, upgrading runway lighting and the construction of new taxiways.

Toulouse-based Airbus has so far taken 159 firm orders from 16 airlines for the A380, which has been developed at a cost of around £6 billion.

Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to put the plane into passenger service. Other airlines that have ordered A380s include Sir Richard Branson's airline Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates.

But a number of major carriers, including British Airways, have held back from committing themselves, preferring to wait and see how the plane performs.

First shown off at Toulouse in a lavish event attended by Prime Minister Tony Blair in January last year, the A380 first flew the following April.

Around 13,000 UK jobs are dependent on Airbus. There has been concern over employment levels following the decision taken earlier by UK company BAE Systems to sell its 20% stake in Airbus.

[scudpilot]

Hi All,
Forgive my ignorance, and thanks for allowing me to join your wonderful community!
I will be at LHR to see the A380 tomorrow (along with many of you guys I suspect) just one question, I have a friend who lives in Southampton, anyone know if the aircaft will overfly Southampton and if so what sort of time?

Thanks
Scudpilot

[Seagull61]

Hi,

Just read on the beeb that the A380 will be landing at Heathrow tomorrow, and parking at the new Pier 6 in T3. I`m actually flying into Heathrow tomorrow - due in at 11ish.....just wondering if anyone knew the exact time it was expected - as i can`t find it anywhere!

Cheers

[cptcollins]

A380 UK movements 18 MAY (sorry if these have been published already)

EDDB-EGNR
E/CTOT 0846Z - ROUTE N0450F390 BELID2X BELID Y203 HLZ UL980 ETEBO UG9 RKN UB5 SPY UY70 OTBED/N0481F240 Y70 GOLES L975 WAL DCT TORGO DCT KEGUN - ETA 1034Z

EGNR-EGTG
E/CTOT 1050Z - ROUTE N0300F150 DCT REXAM N864 MONTY N42 RETSI N862 RILES DCT - ETA 1126Z

EGTG-EGLL
E/CTOT 1145Z - N0250F150 WOTAN L9 KENET - ETA 1212Z

Looks like it may be doing some transit photo shoots!

[cptcollins]

A380 UK movements 18 MAY (sorry if these have been published already)

EDDB-EGNR
E/CTOT 0846Z - ROUTE N0450F390 BELID2X BELID Y203 HLZ UL980 ETEBO UG9 RKN UB5 SPY UY70 OTBED/N0481F240 Y70 GOLES L975 WAL DCT TORGO DCT KEGUN - ETA 1034Z

EGNR-EGTG
E/CTOT 1050Z - ROUTE N0300F150 DCT REXAM N864 MONTY N42 RETSI N862 RILES DCT - ETA 1126Z

EGTG-EGLL
E/CTOT 1145Z - N0250F150 WOTAN L9 KENET - ETA 1212Z

Looks like it may be doing some transit photo shoots!

[rmcfarlane]

Hi,

Just read on the beeb that the A380 will be landing at Heathrow tomorrow, and parking at the new Pier 6 in T3. I`m actually flying into Heathrow tomorrow - due in at 11ish.....just wondering if anyone knew the exact time it was expected - as i can`t find it anywhere!

Cheers


According to a friend with a LHR based airline it is arriving at 13.30. I cannot verify unfortunately, but what we do know is that there are a large number of barriers up to stop 'spotting'. Bit like Concord's swansong I guess

[eyeinthesky]

Looks like it may be doing some transit photo shoots!

On this route:
EDDB-EGNR
E/CTOT 0846Z - ROUTE N0450F390 BELID2X BELID Y203 HLZ UL980 ETEBO UG9 RKN UB5 SPY UY70 OTBED/N0481F240 Y70 GOLES L975 WAL DCT TORGO DCT KEGUN - ETA 1034Z
the only people who will get a look at it between SPY and OTBED will be other aircraft or maybe a very lucky North Sea rig worker with a good set of binoculars!

[eyeinthesky]

Looks like it may be doing some transit photo shoots!

On this route:
EDDB-EGNR
E/CTOT 0846Z - ROUTE N0450F390 BELID2X BELID Y203 HLZ UL980 ETEBO UG9 RKN UB5 SPY UY70 OTBED/N0481F240 Y70 GOLES L975 WAL DCT TORGO DCT KEGUN - ETA 1034Z
the only people who will get a look at it between SPY and OTBED will be other aircraft or maybe a very lucky North Sea rig worker with a good set of binoculars!

[cptcollins]

hehe - true that

But if you plot the route onto a high level chart its definately an interesting flight path! Would have thought its doing mid-air photo shoots using a chase plane, at least thats the gist i got from field 18 of the flight plan.

[cptcollins]

hehe - true that

But if you plot the route onto a high level chart its definately an interesting flight path! Would have thought its doing mid-air photo shoots using a chase plane, at least thats the gist i got from field 18 of the flight plan.

[AlphaWhiskyRomeo]

hehe - true that
But if you plot the route onto a high level chart its definately an interesting flight path! Would have thought its doing mid-air photo shoots using a chase plane, at least thats the gist i got from field 18 of the flight plan.


They'll normally be an Aerovision Corvette somewhere closeby.

There was also an A388 doing icing tests between FL 150 and FL 200 out of TLS today.

[AlphaWhiskyRomeo]

hehe - true that
But if you plot the route onto a high level chart its definately an interesting flight path! Would have thought its doing mid-air photo shoots using a chase plane, at least thats the gist i got from field 18 of the flight plan.


They'll normally be an Aerovision Corvette somewhere closeby.

There was also an A388 doing icing tests between FL 150 and FL 200 out of TLS today.

[pollitt1985]

Do you know which runway it should be landing on? I know it is either 27L or 09R.

Thanks in advance.

[pollitt1985]

Do you know which runway it should be landing on? I know it is either 27L or 09R.

Thanks in advance.

[AlphaWhiskyRomeo]

Do you know which runway it should be landing on? I know it is either 27L or 09R.

Thanks in advance.


Landing towards the west if the wind stays as it is.

[AlphaWhiskyRomeo]

Do you know which runway it should be landing on? I know it is either 27L or 09R.

Thanks in advance.


Landing towards the west if the wind stays as it is.

[cptcollins]

Originally Posted by pollitt1985
Do you know which runway it should be landing on? I know it is either 27L or 09R.

Thanks in advance.

True, apparently the Southern taxiways are the only ones to have been properly strengthened for the A380 so far. As to which runway, i guess the wind will decide.

Current LHR 18 hr TAF: EGLL 171625Z 180018 22012KT 9999 SCT025 BECMG 0911 23015G25KT TEMPO
1018 23018G35KT 7000 SHRA BKN020CB=

Looks like 27L! Shame about the rain though, should make some interesting reverse thrust shots for those crafty A.netters

[cptcollins]

Originally Posted by pollitt1985
Do you know which runway it should be landing on? I know it is either 27L or 09R.

Thanks in advance.

True, apparently the Southern taxiways are the only ones to have been properly strengthened for the A380 so far. As to which runway, i guess the wind will decide.

Current LHR 18 hr TAF: EGLL 171625Z 180018 22012KT 9999 SCT025 BECMG 0911 23015G25KT TEMPO
1018 23018G35KT 7000 SHRA BKN020CB=

Looks like 27L! Shame about the rain though, should make some interesting reverse thrust shots for those crafty A.netters

[kms901]

Just for once, there may a positive side to living in Richmond. If the WX is ok, I will be in the park.

[Cahlibahn]

Foxtrot - delta delta - no ?

[pollitt1985]

True, apparently the Southern taxiways are the only ones to have been properly strengthened for the A380 so far. As to which runway, i guess the wind will decide.

Current LHR 18 hr TAF: EGLL 171625Z 180018 22012KT 9999 SCT025 BECMG 0911 23015G25KT TEMPO
1018 23018G35KT 7000 SHRA BKN020CB=

Looks like 27L! Shame about the rain though, should make some interesting reverse thrust shots for those crafty A.netters

I shall be there along with most of the other 36 people in my flight training group!! Should be fun. Can't wait.

[pollitt1985]

True, apparently the Southern taxiways are the only ones to have been properly strengthened for the A380 so far. As to which runway, i guess the wind will decide.

Current LHR 18 hr TAF: EGLL 171625Z 180018 22012KT 9999 SCT025 BECMG 0911 23015G25KT TEMPO
1018 23018G35KT 7000 SHRA BKN020CB=

Looks like 27L! Shame about the rain though, should make some interesting reverse thrust shots for those crafty A.netters

I shall be there along with most of the other 36 people in my flight training group!! Should be fun. Can't wait.

[Cahlibahn]

I really don't know what we are going to see tomorrow. The wx looks awful but I'd guess we are looking at 27L at 13:13 local.. Given the weather I'm not sure I'll bother.

[AirHeadA380]

The A380 arrival and the official opening of Pier 6, Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport can be watched live on the web at www.heathrowairport.com/A380 (http://www.heathrowairport.com/A380) on Thursday 18 May at 13.00 BST. :)

[AirHeadA380]

The A380 arrival and the official opening of Pier 6, Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport can be watched live on the web at www.heathrowairport.com/A380 (http://www.heathrowairport.com/A380) on Thursday 18 May at 13.00 BST. :)

[EGCC4284]

If it is going to do a fly pass at EGCC, can someone please put info up on AMOSS in advance

[Prop Freak]

Todays weather does not look good
FT 172200 172240Z 180624 23010KT 9999 SCT025 BECMG 0911
23015G25KT TEMPO 1020 23018G35KT SHRA SCT025TCU
PROB30 TEMPO 1719 5000 +TSRA BKN020CB TEMPO 2224
21018G30KT 8000 RA BKN014 -

[ABO944]

Bobby_101

I think you will find that the BAA dont want to look silly if the jetties dont go onto the aircraft ....... they have had a lot of problems with them, and recently all 8 jetties went out of service for repairs!

It's the usual way at Heathrow Terminal 3, get things open before they are finished! :rolleyes:

[refplus20]

Latest flight times etc.
Dep Berlin EDBB - 0846Z
Dep Hawarden EGNR - 1050Z
Dep Filton EGTG - 1145Z to Heathrow
It has a 30 minute delay at the moment out of Filton.
:hmm:

[fox13wfd]

Whats the best guestimate to see it fly over Fulham as I am stuck in the office?

[amanoffewwords]

Emirates are running a huge 4-page advert in The Guardian today - is that a hint that it will be sporting their colours?

[PGA]

Does anybody know if it`ll still fly over or past the suspension bridge in brs today? Have an excellent view from my room..and can`t really be bothered to drive to filton, going to be way too busy!

[Taildragger67]

Also, any ideas as to call sign? Might dust off the scanner (wot my wife gave to me as a present... ) and head out at lunchtime to try to catch a glimpse through the 8 octas...

[crewboi83]

Had heard a rumour that the A380 will be able to be seen from the MAN area, maybe ven overflying man airport can anyone confirm?

[Jordan D]

Emirates seem to be dominating the coverage - a massive 4 page advert in the Times today .... on Page 10 in the cockpit section, Page 12-13 is the body/wings and page 15 is the tail.

Commentary is "Today marks one of the most important days in aviation history. The world's largest passenger aircraft arrives at Heathrow". Final bit of commentary is advertising (which is not permitted on these forums).

Jordan

[MAN777]

I and a huge portion of the NW England spotters would be much obliged if someone in London or Man ATC could give us a heads up re the A380 real time arrival near to Manchester.

Regards

[bagpuss lives]

It's about to pass North of the field.......

[Brewster Buffalo]

F-WWDD at 2000'

[LowNSlow]

Any more news on arrival time at LHR yet?

At the moment 27R is in use and the weather is OK (got a lovely view out of the coffee room view on the the 4th floor of the office in Brentford).

[Flaps ten please]

Probably too late now but check the spotters forum!

[Brewster Buffalo]

Now left Hawarden after 2 low passes

[20-17]

A380 flew over LPL at 1025Z then on to Broughton for two low fly pasts.

What a beast even at approx 5000ft.
White body with blue fin

Now on way to Filton

[Aeronut]

sighted at Filton

The Corvette chase aircraft is soooooooo tiny!!

[chevvron]

What's it's transponder code?

[chevvron]

What's it's transponder code?

[smellster]

Good old Bristol weather spoils the day yet again!

Edited to say: That is one pig ugly plane!

[Wycombe]

On 134.75 at FL100 on L9, going outside for a look!

Edit: too much cloud to see anything :-(

[Cpt_Pugwash]

I have to disgree with Smellster, the Brizzle weather held off until after the final approach, hopefully I got some good pics.

Two impressions :

How something so big can be so gracefull;

How quiet it was.

Well worth the drenching walking back to the coalface.

Phil.

[point5]

F-WWDD just checked in on 134.975 on course OCK FL100.

[brockenspectre]

One is stuck at home (under Biggin stack) due ill-health - please would someone advise of callsign and current frequency please? I have registered for BAA webcast but that won't start until 1300 BST.

Thanks in advance :ok:

[Burnt Fishtrousers]

Not the best looking beast in the skies but surely impressive and very quiet too. Disappionted that after the first flypast at Filton..trotted off back to work to find another approach and a few more orbits took place as I was going back to the car. ..off to the Heathrow Web cam now...

[hanover]

wat time is it due at heathrow and is it on telly im stuck at home

[point5]

DD will hold at OCK until 13:03 then do a 17 minute pattern inbound to LL. Touchdown at 13:20 local!

[asto]

is it going to fly over the centre of London ?

[point5]

I imagine so. Inbound for 27L!

[tiggerific_69]

impressive pic of the flypast on Sky News.Theyre going to be showing it live too by the looks of things.Was planning on going down to Filton this morning but decided against it....i think im regretting it now.

[point5]

On 127.525. Will be leaving OCK, flying over LL for a right-hand pattern. Wanting to descend to 3A soon after leaving the hold so may get a good view of it over LL (well maybe not with all the cloud!)

[hanover]

baa webcast is on now

[point5]

Down to 5A, heading 010, spd 220kts. Heading over the top of LL. BAA webcast has started!

[brockenspectre]

Hee Hee the BAA webcast has been "open-mic" for about 5mins - loads of background chatter, who will introduce what etc etc and they haven't realised!!! :E :E

Still at OCK I presume - haven't heard frequency change from 127.525 :ok:

[smellster]

Not the best looking beast in the skies but surely impressive and very quiet too. Disappionted that after the first flypast at Filton..trotted off back to work to find another 5 passes took place as I was going back to the car. ..off to the Heathrow Web cam now...

Only did one more missed approach but that was in the middle of a torrential downpour so not much to see. I think the chase plane gave up trying to get some good footage over the Clifton suspension bridge after the second attempt due weather.

[fox13wfd]

Damn customers!!! Where is it?

[point5]

Establishing on the ILS!

[taffman]

Thre web cast is not working for us in France.:\

[StephenM_SMC]

Image is not working properly for me either... :{

[hanover]

baa web cam has lost video or is it just me

[tiggerific_69]

i had pictures and sound but now i just have sound :mad: least sky are showing it too

[fox13wfd]

just passed fulham

[taffman]

Now its asking me for poxy server number etc:ugh:

[paulthornton]

BBC webcast just started. wx looks a bit murky but video is clear.

[flyallan]

Just got home from EGNR having watched 2 wonderful low passes; one clean and one dirty. It is a magnificent aircraft; such a beautiful sight, so big but wonderfully in proportion and so quiet! Can't wait to fly in it!

[tiggerific_69]

heathrow webcast is broke by the looks of it,but here she comes,gear down,lights on!!!!! its looking pretty windy up there!!!

[PiperTyro]

Just saw it pass south of the City of London, very graceful.

[LowNSlow]

She just came over Brentford. Impressive bird.

[tiggerific_69]

TOUCHDOWN!!!
well done airbus & heathrow :D :D :D :D

[allyn]

I'm not getting a picture on the webcast. Watching it on BBC News 24...

[derekvader]

I'm not getting a picture on the webcast. Watching it on BBC News 24...

Losers. Do they not have anyone watching it and telling them they've lost picture? Incredible.

[derekvader]

TOUCHDOWN!!!
well done airbus & heathrow :D :D :D :D

It didn't need much runway to stop in, did it! Must be because it is flying empty?

[brockenspectre]

Shame that the BAA 'cast dropped out ... Sky had some good pics but silly announcer said "oh it has a lower deck" :mad: and now they are giving airtime to Friends of the Earth who is anti-A380 without producing any stats :mad:

Have to say she is very beautiful - the views from above/behind show just how graceful is the wing alignment... Union Flag out of the window at mo and .. darn they are good at following a centre line! :E :E

[kms901]

Saw it passing Richmond. Very impressive, and significantly quieter than the 744 that preceded it. It's very windy here.

[Quincy M.E.]

That is one big momma!

Just watched it on finals from West Ealing could make it out even from here!
:D

[320operator]

All I've seen on my Windows Media Player was pure and unadulterated pitch black.............Lovely.....so f@$%ing lovely!!!

[scruggs]

Anyone having trouble watching the baa webcast, its also on the bbc website too.

[taffman]

Ditto:mad: :mad:

[simon brown]

Same here Heathrow coverage on Windows media player non existant and BBC bandwidth not good enough...Bollix!

[allyn]

Losers. Do they not have anyone watching it and telling them they've lost picture? Incredible.

Yeah, it's a real bummer for folks trying to watch it from work with no access to TV. :(

[noisy]

Saw the a/c descending over Hendon. Can't believe that in the ime it took me to walk half a mile, they have come from Filton! :)

[taffman]

Think what its like for those in Airbus with no TV and at its home base:uhoh:

[Taildragger67]

Right. Back to work.

[taffman]

No, going home to watch it on Sky TV.:bored:

[Squadgy]

Here's a couple of shots I took at Hawarden. Hope everyone enjoyed the sight of me landing a Cessna about 20 minutes before the A380 arrived :ok:
http://www.bartonaerodrome.co.uk/uploadedphotos/A380a.jpg

http://www.bartonaerodrome.co.uk/uploadedphotos/A380b.jpg

[PPRuNeUser0162]

Watched it from Notting Hill, looked very good, very graceful as said previously. I thought she was a bit nose high though. As also said earlier, how small was the chase 'plane in comparison! Some of the people I was with couldn't even spot the Corvette!

[brockenspectre]

While it doesn't redress the failure of BAA to successfully webcast the arrival of FDD, it IS possible to send an email to the BAA media centre - there is a link at the top of the screen where you logged in for the webcast.

Moving on ... FDD will undertake airport-trials today and leave at crack of sparrows tomorrow. Anyone know which frequencies she will be using for departure? One is likely to be hound-walking at dark o'clock and one might, perhaps, carry one's wee receiver :E :E

[hanover]

So the A380 has touched down on British soil for the first time
Congratulations to everyone involved in the A380 project and i wish you all the very best luck in the future,
well done
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[panda-k-bear]

This is a question more suited to Jetblast, but brock, what exactly IS a wee receiver? Is it a little bottle? :}

[derekvader]

Sky News showing the interior now - a few seats, but mostly it's unfitted, not even wall coverings. Some ballast tanks or something upstairs.

[brockenspectre]

Panda - nah 'tis the ICOM IC-R10 purchased when wanting to learn ATC-speak when doing a PPL at a radio-service-only airstrip many moons ago! E: :E

[allyn]

Nice pictures Squadgy!
:E
Re: Ballast tanks

Contains chemicals for the chemtrails! :E

Seriously, I noticed on the lower deck they had an instrumentation station setup in the back. I guess that's for gathering performance data....

[Ms Spurtle]

anyone know what time shes scheduled to take off ?

[derekvader]

Gordon Brown on the flight deck: can I check my hotmail on this?

Bet he's wondering if he can introduce a cup holder tax or something.

[headsethair]

anyone know what time shes scheduled to take off ?

0555L Fri, 27L

[Speed of Sound]

According to the BBC, it has a joystick instead of a steering wheel!

Whatever will those clever people at Airbus come up with next? :O

SoS

[allyn]

Ed Strongman giving Gordon Brown the executive cockpit tour on BBC 24! :)

[tiggerific_69]

0700L tomorrow i believe is ETD
ah maybe its 0555 then,im not sure!i heard 0700 :)

get gordon brown out the LHS!

[paulthornton]

get gordon brown out the LHS!

Whatever happens, I think we'll end up with Gordon Brown in the LHS sooner rather than later :uhoh:

[MyData]

derekvader / allyn

I believe it to be the same beast as I toured around back in Feb. On the lower deck are the various control / monitoring systems. Upper deck has a few rows of seats at the front with the remainder of each deck filled with ballast tanks, cables, and cameras and the occasional seat for the test crew.

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2455088&postcount=1374

Regardless of the number of times I've seen it it is still an awesome sight and it made it much more real today seeing it land in such familiar surroundings.

With Gordon in the cockpit (looking bored), it showed how small and cramped it can get in there.

[trident3A]

Great moment on Sky just now...'This is the existing biggest airliner, the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet'..... cue picture of early 737.:confused:

[ZICODIAN]

Hi,

would anyone know the approximate landing distance (for the test stage weight) required for this machine?

[scruggs]

Email from BAA:

We apologise for the technical difficulties that you may have experienced whilst
viewing the BAA Heathrow Airport A380 webcast at 1300hrs (BST) today.

As a result of this we will be re-broadcasting the A380 webcast at the following
web address www.heathrowairport.com/a380webcast at 16:15hrs (BST) this
afternoon. Please log on to watch the uninterrupted broadcast of this historic
event.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused you.

Kind regards,

The BAA Media Team

[derekvader]

What were those huge yellow pipes they were hooking up to it on the stand? They came from the underside of the air bridge, and looked about 30-40cm in diameter. Does it use terminal-based air conditioning when sitting on the ground? Is that a permanent feature of the A380, or unique to this one since it is full of extra computer gear?

[V800]

Over the houses in Myrtle Ave.
http://www.petermcsorley.com/f-wwdd1.jpg

[Kirk Biddlecombe]

Just got back from Heathrow. Was standing at the end of 27L for about an hour along with some 500 other people. :)

Anyone know why there were 2 BA 744's landing on 27L shortly before the A380 came in?

Kirk

[I'm not joking sir]

Anyone know why there were 2 BA 744's landing on 27L shortly before the A380 came in?

Heathrow is BA's Jumbo base and they do have quite a few of them...

[ALLDAYDELI]

i was there, stood next to a guy with a scanner and he said so that accurate wind reports could be obtained from the 2x BA B744 crews.
This would be relayed to the A380 flightdeck. it did get very windy around 1pm. Did you see how the road (A30) traffic came to a standstill each time a large aircraft passed over... Its only a BA 747!

[BarTT]

It did a nice fly past of the Tower at Liverpool :O

[Kirk Biddlecombe]

Haha I did. Also saw one lorrydriver actually stop (when the A380 was on final) and take a picture with his mobile. :)

[boguing]

Thanks for advice given earlier.

My Son's school (a mile from OCK) all turned eyes upwards in the playground and got not one pass, but four, the last of which was under blue sky.

Whole school very impressed. Thanks again.

[colmac747]

The A380 arrival and the official opening of Pier 6, Terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport can be watched live on the web at www.heathrowairport.com/A380 (http://www.heathrowairport.com/A380) on Thursday 18 May at 13.00 BST. :)

Thanks for that link:ok: Didn't work too well during the event, but the whole replay was fine ;)

[apaddyinuk]

Heres my little wobbly video that I took from the Westbase carpark!!! Enjoy!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8592282240557942331

[colmac747]

Great stuff. :ok:

[atcomarkingtime]

I think it was great to see that new aircraft are still attracting the crowds! Its a great moment to see a new a/c!! I still remember seeing the first B777 to visit the uk and also the controller confirming...."United 777, confirm aircraft type" OOOOPS

[ManchesterMan]

Just watched a couple of video's of the A380
'Jumbo-jumbo' landing at Heathrow - and was
surprized how buffeted it was on its approach!
I know that its near empty and the winds might
have been significant but ive not seen a B747
acting so bad!

Did anyone else see it thus.......

MM

[747FOCAL]

Was it my imagination or was it louder than that BA 744 that came in before it?

I think the pic above was cropped poorly so I resized....................

And let in an estate agents board - or it was put in! it was NOT in the original and the picture was not available to you to alter. You breached the guy's copyright. Now you get a rest from PPRuNe??



PPP

[BMI701EGCC]

Wel what i day, i knew that the A380 was flybying broughton at around 11:10...
i live in atherton, the beluga's frequently fly over en-route to broughton so i knew i had the chance to see it....

i knew i had to go outside at about 10:50 to at least get a look, so we went to an advantage point near astley moss, we waited and waited.....nothing....

i knew that it would be coming from ROSUN, then heading south west, normally aircraft usually take a more northernly track south west, so i had to hope it would come more south so i could get a good close up....

10:50 passed, me and dad both thought it had already passed, but we still waited another 15 mins, the cloud cover was getting better as time passed, but still nothing...

we had enough so we drove off, we strolled along this country lane and stopped again trying to see find a gap in the cloud and we did, over warrington, way west of us...

but still nothing....

my dad just happens to look northeast towards Bolton and he says "Is that it ?!?!?!", within a millisecond i look around and see a low flying aricraft, i looked straight at the wings so i could determine whether it was the A380 or not....IT WAS!!!

I immediatley unhooked my seatbelt, open the door and rand off to get a good advantage point, and there it was it all its glory, the Airbus A380!, we was both completley taken back, the mere size of this bird at 4,00ft is just amazing! i continued to monitor it, it seemed to turn towards liverpool, but it must of been on base for broughton.....

i am never going to forget this day....seeing the A380 before anybody at broughton and London, the feeling is just fanatastic....no seriously i give a big thanks to manchester ATC was vectoring this a/c with such precision :)

ive been interested in this program for day one and to see it sucessfully flying is just a fantastic feeling, good luck to everyone involved in making this man made marval, hats of to you....

well done brought!!


cheers

scott w

[candoo]

Just home from Berlin Airshow.

Saw the beast taxi out and take off this morning.

Very poor mobile video as it taxied past me if you're interested, we were allowed pretty close!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7937188505503564878

FWIW 747FOCAL it seemed very quiet on take off but by your quick edit of above photo I sense the jealousy pouring out!

[Tranceaddict]

Has anybody got any ATC recordings of the big bird landing (like the had for the last arrival of concorde)?

Many thanks

[apaddyinuk]

To be honest, two 747's came over head shortly before the A380 and both seemed louder than the A380!!!

[747FOCAL]

Nah, not jealous. Just have a sense of humor that Brits don't get. You know how many times I have seen a 747 over that same house pic on the net???

:\

[Flightman]

What were those huge yellow pipes they were hooking up to it on the stand? They came from the underside of the air bridge, and looked about 30-40cm in diameter. Does it use terminal-based air conditioning when sitting on the ground? Is that a permanent feature of the A380, or unique to this one since it is full of extra computer gear?

Probably PCA pipework. Pre Conditioned Air. Not unique to that particular a/c, or a/c type.

[White Hart]

we took a number of calls in Flight Briefing from spotters bemoaning the fact that the a/c went North from OCK and did its downwind/base leg from that side of London. Was also surprised that two callers reported being in North London with good views across Central London and beyond but were unable to see the a/c at all. Can only put it down to the lowish cloudbase (BKN030), even though the a/c had descended to 3000' before turning finals (at least that's what our ATM was displaying)

It wobbled a bit on the last two miles - should make for interesting viewing on a stormy day with a gusting Southerly crosswind!

BTW, what happened to all the spotters on the T2 carpark roof around 1pm? were u turfed off by Plod?

[Focks 2]

Was surprised at how quiet the bird is, especially as it was announced by Katie Derham on the 12:30 ITN news today that the A380 was "powered by 900 RR engines" :rolleyes: Then later announced that it was "almost exactly one o'clock."
Anyone spotted any other media inaccuracies about the 380 today?
:ugh:

[Fidgell]

Have you ever kissed a girl son??? :E :} ;)

[westwing]

Hi, just a thought like many thousands of people I witnessed the Airbus A380 today every person with me said the same thing its Big and thats it. An old aviaton term says If it looks right it probably is, the A380 is an ugly s.o.b its going to need some fancy paint job to make look ok .New queen of the sky no that still belongs to the 747,A380 for me no thank you Boeing may be about to make history repeat its self.the Boeing 787 will change the way how to make airplanes the days of metal airplanes is over the A380 may be already out dated

[Del Prado]

[capt clarence oveur] Jimmy, have you ever seen a grown man naked? [/capt clarence oveur]

[panda-k-bear]

Thanks for sharing that with us. :rolleyes:

Did you not see the A380 thread at the top of this page?

Has now!:ugh:

[gone till november]

.....and look at the rudder inputs needed to keep her straight on the runway....

[dbounford]

Jimmy, have you ever been to a Turkish prison?!

[brockenspectre]

Well, as someone who had to watch internet/TV from home today, one has to pronounce the A380 as a bird that is most graceful in the air and designed for the air when taxy-ing on the ground!!! :E

Anyone got the final gen on her departure and coordinates tomorrow morning? As one will be hound-walking early, t'would be grand to be able to hear FDD depart UK for the first time :ok:

[Flightman]

Well, as someone who had to watch internet/TV from home today, one has to pronounce the A380 as a bird that is most graceful in the air and designed for the air when taxy-ing on the ground!!! :E
Anyone got the final gen on her departure and coordinates tomorrow morning? As one will be hound-walking early, t'would be grand to be able to hear FDD depart UK for the first time :ok:

I'm guessing just after 07:00.

[akerosid]

Just saw it on the Beeb's 10pm news. I have to say the strong crosswind actually added to the footage - gave it a bit of drama, but it was a nice touchdown nonetheless and it did look well. That said, I still prefer the 747, to look at. Still, I'm sure I'll get used to it.

What was the wind on t/down anyway?

And did anyone hear Calder from the Independent - the Travel Editor, no less! :rolleyes:
(Pardon a less than perfect quote, but it went along the lines of ...) "it could be a bad thing because more people will want to fly."

I know the Independent in sliding into tree-hugger territory, but for goodness sake, if the guy is the travel editor, you'd think he'd just try to be a little bit enthusiastic about the concept of people, well, travelling!

[treadigraph]

Well, got to see it slide down the approach from our eyrie in Croydon... Nice to see something new!

Like Brokenspectre, I shall be out and about early tomorrow by about 0615 - any clues as to its routing outbound from Heathrow?

[AnEviltwinEr]

Looks great.

Now, all of you defeatists, thats what they said when B747 came out. ;)

Remember, the A380 will ve avaliable in longer versions, and i think it would look GREAT if it was, say 10-15 meters longer?

[Jetavia]

A longer body would make it look less ugly, maybe while they are at it they should give her a nosejob as well and redo the cockpit windows :}

[bagpuss lives]

Roger, roger, Roger.

[Kirk Biddlecombe]

Here's what I filmed:
http://kirk.biddlecombe.tripod.com/airbus.wmv (http://kirk.biddlecombe.tripod.com/)

Kirk

[speedbird676]

Not sure if it was planned or not, but the 2 BA 744s that came in before the A380 were perfect for giving the photographers a chance to set up. I got this (http://www.airliners.net/addphotos/big/ready/A380_LHR_18may2006.jpg) from the BA West Base car park at Hatton Cross.

I'm still amazed at how quiet that bird is, nothing for the Hounslow moaners to complain about.

[mickjoebill]

Is it unusual for the nosewheel of a large aircraft to touchdown before all of the mains?

The sequence of landing gear making smoke of the A380 landing at Heathrow appeared to be;
port main,
nosewheel,
starboard main.



Mickjoebill

[robschopper]

Was surprised at how quiet the bird is, especially as it was announced by Katie Derham on the 12:30 ITN news today that the A380 was "powered by 900 RR engines" :rolleyes: Then later announced that it was "almost exactly one o'clock."
Anyone spotted any other media inaccuracies about the 380 today?
:ugh:

Not so much an 'inaccuracy' ... more of a 'where have you been for the past decade?'

The female presenter on Sky must have missed Airbus announcing they were thinking of building a double deck aircraft .... Airbus confirming they were going to build a double deck aircraft .... the leaders of half of Europe at the unvielling of Airbus's new double deck aircraft ... tens of thousands of people at the first flight of Airbus's new double deck aircraft.

To then come up out with a statement full of total surprise that the big white thing that just landed at Heathrow 'has got a lower deck' ... shear class!! My seven year old has a fantastic career in journalism in front of him, 'cos he knew more about this aircraft than this presenter of the U.K.s 'top' news station.

[Aviator LGB]

I liked the new style of A380 landing...obviously the new nose wheel first approach. Glad I wasn't on it though!

Better luck next time!! :\

[Tolsti]

Why did the BBC insist on calling it the Super Jumbo Jet.... Surely there is only one Jumbo Jet. Maybe there should be a contest to come up with a nickname for the 380?

[radar707]

Since the 319 / 320 are known as minibusses the 380 should simply be known as the "Double Decker"

[Golf Charlie Charlie]

I did see the take-off this morning just after 07:00, from the upwind end of 27L near Stanwell. It was pretty majestic and stable, despite the gusty conditions. It was also remarkably quiet in the climb, no different from the A319s/320s etc. that preceded it. Incidentally, it was about the 16th departure this morning from start of play, and all bar one were Airbuses of various types - quiet something.

[Devlin Carnet]

When is it coming to Manchester?, I remember seeing a thread but cant find it now.....:(

[ALLDAYDELI]

GCC - i saw it also, it was REMARKABLY quiet and graceful takeoff. Most upper deck lights were on inside. A mucky & murky morning at LHR though. The pushback from T5 remote stand was fun and interesting to watch.

[Skipness One Echo]

Watched it being towed around by an Aviance tug early this morning. Biiiiigggg machine but very graceful on departure. Called as ''Fox Delta Delta'' which I thought was odd as I was expecting an Airbus callsign.

[sky9]

I think that we need a new thread "what do we call the A380?"
How about "Mumbo" as in Mumbo Jumbo

[reuters77]

It should clearly be called the 'Megabus' :-)

[Groundloop]

"the 380 should simply be known as the "Double Decker" "

Then how about "Routemaster"?

[Taildragger67]

It should clearly be called the 'Megabus' :-)
That's probably what Sing Air have in mind given their penchant for naming types - Big Top, Mega Top, Mega Ark, Celestar, Jubilee, etc... their marketing boys will doubtless come up with something they think is meaningful...

"First to Fly"... big deal. Means they get to cop all the problems.

[treadigraph]

Biggerbus? Hmmmm sounds rather multi-matrimonial....

[cieloitaliano]

Sorry for my lack of techie-ness but those rounded protrusions do appear a little awkwardly placed n'est ce pas?:rolleyes:

[sky9]

The 737 used to be know as Fluf (fat little ugly f*****) How about FUF (there has to be a "french connection" there somewhere):)

[darren13]

hi all,i towed the 380 around heathrow last night,just to let you guys know it was plane handling that did the lions share of the towing,i also did the headset on departure,does anyone have any pics of the pushback this morning?take care

[Jesters]

The definition of jealousy??

Had a text from my dear other half last night saying:

'I just sat in the Captains seat'

Considering she was only there cos she'd swapped trips with a colleague so she could make an appointment this eve, some girls get all the luck!!

[LGS6753]

Couldn't possibly be called a 'Double Decker'.
In the 50s/60s Air France operated double deckers called 'Deux Ponts' known predictably as 'Duck Ponds'.

[darren13]

i sat in the captains seat too!;)

[Jesters]

No fair:{.

[darren13]

its not fair when you are towing a 380 around lhr when you should be in bed!but i loved it:}

[ChristiaanJ]

I agree we should have a separate thread for the nicknames.
Until then, I've already seen "Super Hippo", or just "The Hippo", "BigBus", "UglyBus"", "PuffedUpBus", and for the francophones "MéchantBus" (NastyBus).... not bad, actually, if you look at those nasty piggy eyes staring down at you.
I think BUFF and similar have already been trademarked by .... yes, the "Buff", of course.
As to "Fat Albert", I was always led to believe that was the 737, but it seems the monicker has moved to other aircraft, since.
darren13,its not fair when you are towing a 380 around lhr when you should be in bedYou shoild have called me. I'd have flown over and taken the job any time, just to allow you a good night's sleep.

[ChristiaanJ]

Oh, and just in case anybody put any credence in those "cargo door" stories....
This is what really happened, as reported by a friend.
AB deflating some of Fatso's ego.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/ChristiaanJ/A380_at_LHR_w.jpg

[darren13]

i can confirm the doors would not open on thursday,so they could not try out the lifters on it!:uhoh:

[hollywood285]

it looks like a whale on steroids!

[darren13]

a very quiet and gracefull whale at that!,much less noise than a 747!!

[2 sheds]

Anyone spotted any other media inaccuracies about the 380 today?
:ugh:

The local yokel reporter on TV in Bristol - where it displayed before going to Heathrow - referred to it as an "A three eight". I think he was confused with the main road to Bristol!

[faiza]

the new airbus..A380 is amazing, it can hold upto 800 passengers- its huge!
Anyone thinking of flying it soon?

[Airbus Student]

Originally Posted by Focks 2
Anyone spotted any other media inaccuracies about the 380 today?
:ugh:

I certainly hope not, I had an interview on Thursday in LHR, with BBC Bristol and i'm hoping it went reasonably well.

[faiza]

When you think about it the lady is right, what does a few extra days or even weeks matter if the aircraft is going to be around for years?
Wish the same could apply to marriage ! ;)

how thats just evil!

[faiza]

*Off topic*
I'm no Boeing fan really (give me a VC10 anyday) but that A380 really is one ugly son-of-a-b. Our airports are going to be clogged up with 'em.
What was that old adage of if it looks right etc? The Phantom might have looked like wings were on upside down but at least it looked kind of menacing. The A380 just looks like it's a salad dodger. Kind of an aerial version of Johnny Vegas.
Carry on....

why? they're huge so that means possibly a bigger wage..;)

[787FOCAL]

They still having trouble opening the doors? :confused: