Whats so "BIG" about the A380?

[jrpilot]

I have heard all of this talk about the A380...and to tell you the truth..it is just another aircraft...yes it is neat..and cool...but what can be diffrent about the A380..that differs it from Airbus's other fleet...for example..other thatn range and 2 more jets..the A330 and A340 are basically the same thing...actually other than a few mods all of airbus's 'newer' fleet are the same..so waht can differ...please tell me....

[Craig.]

the fact that it has two decks could be the first defining feature. And while i am not a real fan of this aircraft, i also admit its certainly impressive in terms of size and passenger capacity.

[Nexus]

It will be the biggest passenger aircraft in the world, utilizing the latest light-weight materials. It is a high risk project, which looks like it can be a huge success.
Don't know about the actual flightdeck, but Airbus will probably like to continue their CCQ policy.

But why not talk about it?
IMO, it is much more interesting than the 7E7.

Size matters, you know

[Felix/FFDS]

and interestingly, it's almost a copy of the proposed McDonnell-Douglas MD-12

[Nexus]

Well the 747 engineers were also toying with 2 decks, so the idea isnt really new.

Aerodynamics never change, subsequently the A380 and proposed "2 deckers" looks similar. How else would you design an aircraft like that?

[jrpilot]

Not sure if it was true..but heard it was overweight..or something like that...

[Felix/FFDS]

Aerodynamics never change, subsequently the A380 and proposed "2 deckers" looks similar. How else would you design an aircraft like that?

One of the proposals was for a double-bubble - side by side! A "super-wide" so to speak.

The double decker concept has been around for some time - from the flying boat era, through the Lockheed Constitution and especially the Boeing Stratocruiser.

[Hagar]

The double decker concept has been around for some time - from the flying boat era, through the Lockheed Constitution and especially the Boeing Stratocruiser.

Not forgetting the good old London Transport omnibus. Plenty of room on top. Hold very tightly - ting ting.....!

There are very few original design concepts that haven't been thought of & used before.

[Craig.]

yes the A380 is overweight. Its part of the reason virgin have delayed delivery, so they can reduce the weight of their interiors, plus the fact airports still wont be ready for it on the whole

[Sobby]

The A380, is just a murderer, it is because of that plane and many other large airliners that Concorde is no longer with us

[Blackbird971]

It is "big" with all these American Boeing hating countries who want a challenger for the 747.

[born_2_fly]

You know its so strange, Loads of my freinds (non fs and aviation) have seen pictures of the A380, with its casino's, cinemas and bars and think this will be the case with all airlines. They find it hard to belive when I explain to them that on 99 out of 100 airlines will have the entire aircraft packed with seats. Im sure this is the case with many people aswell. If British Airways is flying to JFK on a 747 and Virgin is doing the same but on a A380, a large amout of people will go out of thier way just to have a go on the gym on the top deck! Dont know if this is helpfull to this convo, Probably not but hey!

Born_2_fly

[Nexus]

It is "big" with all these American Boeing hating countries who want a challenger for the 747.

Could you develop that theory?
Boeing hating or not, the 747 looks puny compared to it.

[C]

It is "big" with all these American Boeing hating countries who want a challenger for the 747.

That's competition for you - the last thing anyone needs is a Boeing monopoly...

Charlie

[Blackbird971]

That's competition for you - the last thing anyone needs is a Boeing monopoly...

Charlie

...the last thing we need is a tinfoil beast trying to sellout from under Boeng with cheaper junk.