The one above won't no. It's going to be tested to destruction. Proper Bo.

No worries rotor. ;) They are going to break this one, then build one that flies. Then comes the tough part. :}

Ooh-ooh let me guess!

Not the darn evacuation chestnut again!

I reckon it looks like an A-7 on steroids :D

Well now that you bring it up.......................:p

I'm rather suprised that it only appears to have two main landing gear legs. If this is the case, then for runways/taxiways to be able to cope with all that weight there would need to be about 10 wheels on each truck!!!????:confused:

The ground testing airframe is light enough to be supported by only two wing trucks on the main gear, but the real A380 will have 22 wheels in a configuration similar to the 747, but with two six-wheel trucks for body gear. :)

thanks for that, A-Floor

For people interested: on the Airliners.net website information can be found about the A380.

Marcel_MPH :cool:

Anyone for another go at the evac slide thing again? :E Just kidding......

Hell, they just have to send me an email. I trust them when I get into one of their aircraft - why shouldn't I trust them to build a slide?

Your missing the point, it's not that they can't build the slide. it's getting that many people down the slide in 90 seconds that will be the sporty part. ;)

Set the bu%%er on fire. That'll get 'em out in 90 seconds. Let's face it, FOCAL, if they're all going to die anyway (and won't anybody PLEASE think of the children), what difference will it make?!

By the way, what happens if you can't actually see DOWN the slide (i.e. see the bottom) but it just appears like a tube or something from the top - you know, like they have in water parks?

Interesting Study..............


http://www.cami.jccbi.gov/aam-400A/A...LTXT/00_11.pdf


Evacuee injuries and demographics in transport airplane precautionary emergency evacuations.

Report Date: March 2000
Author: Hynes, M.K.

Abstract: During a nine-year period from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 1996, there were more than 500 transport airplane precautionary emergency evacuations (PEEvacs), occurring on average about once a week. Each year as many as 6,000 persons participated in these events. In many cases, passenger and crewmember injuries resulted from the PEEvacs, resulting in large personal costs to passengers and crewmembers, as well as financial costs estimated to be in excess of $11 million annually to airlines.

This study was undertaken to sample available evacuee and injury data related to a subset of those PEEvacs, including information on types and causes of evacuee injuries, and evacuee age and gender. Other demographics were sought, but that information was generally unavailable. Unique, direct contacts with airport management were used to supplement publicly available information on certain of the PEEvacs, including activation of emergency escape slides during PEEvacs, injuries caused by the PEEvacs, and outcomes.

Of the 136 airports identified as experiencing PEEvacs, 24 were selected to provide detailed data on injured evacuees for a 34-month interval lasting from December 1994 through November 1996. During this time frame, there were 109 precautionary evacuations at the 24 airports selected, i.e., approximately 70% of all reported evacuation events that occurred during the study period. Specific information on 193 persons injured during 19 of these evacuations was obtained and analyzed.

The results of this study confirm the need for improved incident reporting and continued research into preventing injuries associated with the use of emergency egress systems and precautionary emergency evacuations of transport airplanes. The results should be additionally useful when considering proposed changes to applicable regulations and to airline training programs and aircraft emergency operations.
:\

Emergency Evac at BKK today
http://www.news.com.au/common/story...55E1702,00.html

United Airlines plane evacuated
From correspondents in Bangkok
August 2, 2004

A UNITED Airlines jet aborted takeoff at Bangkok International Airport early today after a bird got caught in one of its engines, and four passengers suffered minor injuries as they evacuated the plane, the company said.

Flight UA838 headed for Tokyo also "experienced a tyre blow-out" during the aborted takeoff, United Airlines said in a statement. It wasn't clear what caused the tyre to burst.

"The takeoff was aborted due to a bird ingested into one of the engines," the company said. "For the safety of passengers and crew members, the pilot activated an immediate evacuation."

The Boeing 747's two pilots, 15 crew members and 346 passengers slid down evacuation chutes onto the tarmac, the statement said.

There endeth the story.

OK. It's at full chat TOGA and there's a bird strike. It's before T/O decision so there is room on the runway to stop. Slam on the brakes and blow a tyre or two.

Is that really enough reason for a full scale evacuation?

And yes. I must add a big "well done everyone for holding it all together"

Well, you can criticise the 380 all you want but:

THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL SELECTS A380 AND ADDITIONAL A340S
AUGUST 27, 2004

Thai Airways International has taken another major step in its long term fleet expansion plan, by deciding to acquire six A380 double decker aircraft, which will be delivered in 2008/09, and herewith becoming a new customer for the type. The airline is also committed to expanding its new fleet of A340-500s and A340-600s, by deciding to acquire one additional aircraft of each type. The airline previously placed an order for three A340-500s and five A340-600s in August 2003, with all eight of these aircraft due for delivery in 2005. The additional A340-500 and A340-600 will be respectively delivered in 2007 and 2008.


Thai Airways International’s A380s are destined to operate on major trunk routes from Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi airport to destinations in Europe, whilst the A340-500s will be operated on a completely new network of ultra long-haul services from Bangkok to North America. The A340-600s will be deployed on services to cities in Europe and North America. Thai Airways International currently operates an Airbus fleet of 21 A300-600Rs and 12 A330-300s on regional and domestic routes.


All four A340-500s and six A340-600s in the Thai Airways International fleet will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, which burn up to 20 per cent less fuel than older generation jet aircraft, whilst providing outstanding range and payload performance.


“The relationship between Thai Airways International and Airbus stretches back to the first A300 order in 1977 and I am naturally delighted to see the airline once again select our latest generation widebody A380 and A340 aircraft for its long haul fleet expansion. With Thailand’s strong domestic economy and booming tourism & trade, I am particularly confident of a bright future for Thai Airways International’s new Airbus fleet operating from the all new Suvarnabhumi hub airport.” said Noel Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer.


With Thai Airways International’s selection, Airbus has now 139 orders and commitments from 13 customers for the A380 programme. Built to the latest and most stringent certification requirements, the 555-seater A380 double decker embodies the most advanced technologies, providing 15 to 20 per cent lower operating costs than the largest aircraft flying today and 10 to 15 per cent more range.


Offering the highest degree of operational flexibility and economy combined with unmatched passenger comfort, Airbus’ A330/A340 Family of aircraft has established market leadership in the 240-380 seat category with more than 820 orders from 64 customers to date. This includes over 210 orders from 18 customers in the Asia-Pacific region.


All Airbus aircraft feature the latest technology at no extra charge – such as advanced fuel-saving aerodynamics, including wing tip fences, widespread weight-saving carbonfibre composites, and pilot and maintenance-friendly fly-by-wire controls and centralised maintenance.


Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems.