Airbus A380! A Huge White Elephant?

[FOC150]

I know it's the aerodynamics of high subsonic speeds, but I still don't get it. How can an aircraft have low drag with such a nose and such a thick wing root? I mean, just look at it! Otherwise, the airplane is WOW, but I see the same old story coming again - Europe risks, goes first, that USA comes later learning from others' mistakes and takes over.

I won't go into far distant future, but just a few examples:

Comet - English were flying passenger jets, and USA was waiting. What happened? The Comet had structural problems which no-one could have forseen. When the problem was recognized, the US created B707 and (less important) DC-8 etc. and took over the aircraft production business for decades.

Concorde - They, again, stopped, to see what happens. Good thing they stopped.

Fly by wire systems on pax aircraft - waiting to see the problems and solutions, also the new flying concepts.

A380 - Airbus will have to prepare the entire world for this kind of aircraft, the airports, the equipment, training, technology, state of mind in the head of passengers. If it turns out to be OK, Boeing will just strech the 747 all the way and come to the prepared ground, with commonality with othe 747 fleet, crews, spares etc.

[JohnA]

What happens to Branson's cocktail passengers' drinks,
hot tub affcionados, and barbell lifters in the gym
when tubbie hits a bump?

[sn26567]

Apparently all Europeans are not that enamored with the A380

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 38,00.html

Nice humoristic article. But it does not mean that some European are against the A380. Take it as a piece of humour, not more.

[p1lot]

V interesting reading people,

I still prefer the 747 any day of the week, a true classic. It's held it's ground (or air) over the years and let's face it, without it I don't think Airbus would have tried going one better anyway!

That said - it's looking a bit like the mobile phone market in the UK. Do we buy a bigger one? Or a smaller one? What do we want it to do? How far are we taking it? What about the risks?

I'm sure I'll get grief over this.... but don't they all look the same now??! Airbuses in particular... all these wingtips, etc.

PS - did u know my phone has GPS too??!!

[HorsePower]

It have been rumoured that BA might order some A380 but if I were them (humbly), I will go for a mix of B777-300ER and B747-Adv.

Of course, the B747-Adv isn't on proposal yet but I'm sure it will become reality :teach:.

Regards

Seb.

[sn-remember]

I know it's the aerodynamics of high subsonic speeds, but I still don't get it. How can an aircraft have low drag with such a nose and such a thick wing root? .

To me it looks a bit like a big B-737 ! Of course being bigger the nose is shaped differently and it has 4 engines of course...

I shoud'nt worry too much along with the defeatists around this a/c !
I remember 35 years ago the CEO of IBM thought there was a market place for a dozen personal computers ...at most ;o)
At the time it was a very credible statement indeed !
It is always so when you live a major technological leap. I am sure the demand will develop and will follow suite.

And I don't think the B-747 will ever evolve in a A-380 comparable giant !
because the impact of the change is too big and customizations would no longer do (otherwise be sure it would already be in the Boeing potfolio)

Still the B-747 was an impressive bird at the time and we can only hope that its european big brother will have the same impact in the world !

As you rightly mention FOK150, the challenges are great marketing this a/c throughout the bitterness of the american competitor !
Let us hope the game will be more fair than with the Concorde predecessor!

By the way I hear that the Combi version would not be as flexible as with the Jumbo ?
Can anyone develop on this ?