A380 - combined threads
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
WOWW!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to admit it... one of the most moving moments in my life. After one hous waiting under the warm Toulouse morning sun, surrounded by part of the now estimated 60000 spectators (not including the 17000 Airbus employees in Toulouse), when I heard her engines come into action and right in front of my eyes saw her left off as the thousands of people broke out in a simultaneous and moving round of applause (and me snapping some 28 photos in a about a minute)... I admit a tear came to my eye.
As I'm sure you heard, take off (from time when brakes were released) took 25 seconds (which appears to have suprised both experts and Airbus itself, who had expected it to be a little longer). Flew north west, then headed along the northern ridge of the Pyrenees. Now probably over the Atlantic. Undercarriage retracted after about 25 minutes. Crew reported all as normal and admitted to be feeling quite happy. ETA of arrival back at Toulouse Blagnac currently 14:30 local time (GMT+2).
And, I also admit, while I kept it rather silent, I have had my doubts about weather I liked the 380 for her looks, but as she lifted off and entered her true environment (the blue sky), she looked quite impressive, I may even dare to say graceful, yet that may just be becuase how extatic I felt.
Good luck A380...
As I'm sure you heard, take off (from time when brakes were released) took 25 seconds (which appears to have suprised both experts and Airbus itself, who had expected it to be a little longer). Flew north west, then headed along the northern ridge of the Pyrenees. Now probably over the Atlantic. Undercarriage retracted after about 25 minutes. Crew reported all as normal and admitted to be feeling quite happy. ETA of arrival back at Toulouse Blagnac currently 14:30 local time (GMT+2).
And, I also admit, while I kept it rather silent, I have had my doubts about weather I liked the 380 for her looks, but as she lifted off and entered her true environment (the blue sky), she looked quite impressive, I may even dare to say graceful, yet that may just be becuase how extatic I felt.
Good luck A380...
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Mostly FL360-380, M0.78
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How come almost the entire flighttest crew is French? There must surely be british and german flighttest pilots able to do the job.. or is it due to the french regarding Airbus as being a french concept/company and therefore must have only french pilots for the first flight?
"Pilot speaking live on Sky News......says take-off was perfect!"
Has there ever been an instance where I first flight test pilot has been quoted as saying anything else!?
Not trying to 'dis' the mighty beast but these sort of quotes are about as insightful as sex education in a convent school!
Has there ever been an instance where I first flight test pilot has been quoted as saying anything else!?
Not trying to 'dis' the mighty beast but these sort of quotes are about as insightful as sex education in a convent school!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Europe
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jetavia,
I'm really sure Airbus didn't think... "Oh wee are ze Franch companiee zo wee must ony use zee Franch test pilots".
I suppose they just they just who picked who they considered best for the first test flight. I know there is definitely a Spaniard on board, and possible a German and British person. Test pilot and co pilot are French though.
I'm really sure Airbus didn't think... "Oh wee are ze Franch companiee zo wee must ony use zee Franch test pilots".
I suppose they just they just who picked who they considered best for the first test flight. I know there is definitely a Spaniard on board, and possible a German and British person. Test pilot and co pilot are French though.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Frankfurt/Main
Age: 56
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
According to the airbus-website there are 4 flight engineers on board, two from france, one from spain (vice president flight test division) and one from germany.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Queensland
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Saw take-off on the evening news, bit like a larger 747.
For me too slow and too big, not a bar on the Concorde.
Incidentally, 2 pilots to fly it but for goodness sake how many cabin crew will it need for safety and customer service? Especially with 800 pax !!?
For me too slow and too big, not a bar on the Concorde.
Incidentally, 2 pilots to fly it but for goodness sake how many cabin crew will it need for safety and customer service? Especially with 800 pax !!?
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Madrid, SPAIN
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know there is definitely a Spaniard on board
PPRuNe Co-Pilot
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: The Sky
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ummm, Airbus "nationality" seems to change with target markets in my limited experience. Sometimes it British, sometimes French and sometimes its the second cousin to a Mercedes Benz.
Then it's French 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Near sheep!
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boeing have spent years dissing this a/c.
Its now up, its bigger and better. I wonder if the same will be said of the A350. They are dissing that already, lets see what happens.
Anything with Welsh wings on it IS A WINNER!!!
Its now up, its bigger and better. I wonder if the same will be said of the A350. They are dissing that already, lets see what happens.
Anything with Welsh wings on it IS A WINNER!!!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Paris
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great technology accomplishment --- but I still can't get excited about flying in an airplane with 800 people --- the screening line, the baggage stowage, the check-in. Not for me.
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know it may not be as spectacular as Concorde, but in terms of an engineering endeavour I was very impressed. I always visualised a lumbering, clumsy takeoff, but in reality it was pretty spritely, completely different to how I imagined.
The British test pilot (not on the first flight crew) was given a vox interview on Sky and I actually felt sorry for him that he was watching rather than doing this morning.
The British test pilot (not on the first flight crew) was given a vox interview on Sky and I actually felt sorry for him that he was watching rather than doing this morning.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
I always visualised a lumbering, clumsy takeoff, but in reality it was pretty spritely, completely different to how I imagined.
4-5 hours worth of fuel, no pax and only 20 tons of test gear.
4-5 hours worth of fuel, no pax and only 20 tons of test gear.
