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!

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?

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?

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 :}

Roger, roger, Roger.

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

Kirk

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.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/addphotos/b..._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.

landing gear touchdown sequence
 

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

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.

A380 Landing "new style"
 

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!! :\

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

Then how about "Routemaster"?

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.