world's largest plane

[mstram]

I just caught the end of a show about the A380. They were talking about Boeing's plans for their stretched 747x. Don't know what the date of the show was, fairly recent though I suppose.

Anyway, from what I've read, one of the main considerations in the design of these planes has been fitting them into existing airports.

Just how much bigger *could* they build the A380 / or any other plane for that matter , if fitting into an existing airport wasn't a factor?

Mike

[CargoRat2]

I believe the aircraft has to fit into an 80m x 80m "box" for airport groundhandling purposes.

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rgds Rat

[Oz_Pilot]

...then again, as Boeing bet upon with the 707 (vs VC10), if there is a requirement to upgrade ground facilities to take a popular type then it can happen.

[splonguk]

I think I saw the programme you are talking about.

From what I remember, Airbus were wuite cumming. All aircraft must fit in an 80m x 80m box. The A380 fits in the length by about 1m and the wingspan by about 1.5m!!!

You really can't bring out a stretch version of that, now can you?!?

[Tinstaafl]

Stretch it upwards?

[Flap Sup]

This is the rule of thumb I have heard: When u have to make an AC with twice as much payload, u will have to make the AC four times as heavy in total. Give or take.

[Agaricus bisporus]

mstram, to answer your original question e no airport restrictions, I suppose the limit is imposed by the materials we use. In theorey an aircraft could be built as big as you wanted as long as the metals and composites used can cope, but I doubt that would be a problem, after all we build ships up to a million tons in steel.

There will be a practical limit with number of engines I suppose, but if all is automated
I gusee that is less important.

Thare is a huge solar powered flying wing being developed in USA with huge span and lots of little electric motors all along the wing.

If there was the will, funding and need why not a mile span with dozen Tays along it's length??? I bet it could be done.

Ask Bert Rutan, he'll design it for you!

[canuck slf]

This article discusses the issue of runway widths and taxiway clearances, which are an issue with the large aircraft.

Cheers

http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/autonomy_samples/autonomysuggest/autosuggest.jsp?docid=4404&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aviationnow.com%2Favnow%2Fnews%2Fchanne l_maint.jsp%3Fview%3Dstory% 26id%3Dnews%2Fc3800516.xml

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[canuck slf]

Apologies URL included in previous message does not seem to work.
I was going to paste in the text, however it is too long.

Webpage, http://www.aviationnow.com/ using "Airbus, FAA" in the search box at top right hand corner will produce the article as the first result.

Cheers

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