View Full Version : A380 Rollout date
FAAJAA
22nd Jun 2001, 07:53
Some idiot told me today that the A380 rollout is scheduled for March 2002...Somebody please tell me he's an idiot?
Claimed Airbus was workign around the clock on the prototype in order to put one up on Boeing.
wannabecaptain
22nd Jun 2001, 08:02
Doubt it mate. Considering Boeing have scrapped the 747x, Scarebus have no direct competition on the 'mega jumbo' project.
Surely it wont be out of the factory until at least the end of next year!
moggie
27th Jun 2001, 19:18
who cares? It'll roll out when it's ready!
splonguk
27th Jun 2001, 19:26
Do we reckon that the A380 will have a better climb rate than the A340s?
I hope so otherwise it will be taking out the houses at the end of runways! The A340s climb is quite amazingly poor!!
wowie
28th Jun 2001, 07:08
Personally I can't wait until their flying around in the sky's, its just great to see a chunk of metal that big being able to fly!
I rekon the sooner the better but what I heard is that Airlines won't be taking delivery's until the year 2005. I think 2002 will be pushing it as we are already half way through the year. But its gonna roll out when it's ready (I guess) so we will all have to wait until then.
What this idiot may be getting on to is, they might have the simulators ready to roll out to train young, and old pilots so when the time comes around they will all be trained to take to the skys (That is just a wild guess so if you know more about the subject please inform me other wise).
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if your gonna die, die in a kingswood
splonguk,
Airbus says it will climb to 35,000ft in 30 mins with full load.
MarkD
28th Jun 2001, 14:44
Why is the 340 so poor in the climb? Is it underpowered or is there some other limitation? How will the -600 fare?
AhhhVC813
28th Jun 2001, 16:03
Please define "underpowered". @ ISA+15 a 340-300, C4 powered, at 260 tonnes (MTOW varies depending on airline requirements but 257-275), will climb to FL330 in 34 mins, this will also be its optimum level. No not exactly sparkling compared to a 747-400, but then would you call that "overpowered". The -600 will have a higher power to weight ratio, closer to the ubiquitous -400. Incidentally, as every take-off is flexed to the max, (ususally), then sure the take-off roll is long, excess runway being converted into a larger flex and a higher V2 for improved climb performance.
MarkD
28th Jun 2001, 17:14
hmm... I have been reading a lot of posts [mostly from 777 advocates] that 340 is a rather slow aircraft, considering the rumours about surplus SIA 340s going to Ansett at one stage.
Personally I like the 340's looks [particular those cool AI publicity shots from above in the Economist] but I wondered would more powerful engines, with higher climb/cruise rates have been a better idea, and whether this had been factored into the design for the later models.
ATC Watcher
28th Jun 2001, 17:53
FAAJAA : the first flight in 2002 ? the A380 special factory is noy yet built, and will only be ready in 2003.
A380 schedule so far :
First prototype assembly will be 2004.
Firts flight late 2004 or early 2005.
firts delivery to airlines first quarter 2006.
The A380 at MTOW wil have "similar if not better climb performance than the 747-400" according the booklet.
But it will never outperform a twin...
All the high tech stuff that they are doing with the A380 to keep weight down reminds me of the Aussies in the Americas Cup sailing championship in New Zealand a few years back.
They pushed so close to the line to save weight that when the line moved a little closer to them on one particular day (funny thing the water, never 100% predictable- a little like the air really), the boat developed a crack and sank.
How close to the line are Airbus going to win their very own 'Americas Cup'? http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif
Not criticising, just wondering!!
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