AIRBUS A380

Has Airbus set the benchmark for future

aviation?

Will other manufacturers follow this trend?

Nose Section

AIRBUS A380

Tail Section

Wing Section

The plane’s fuselage (in three sections) started it’s journey to the assembly plant on barges –
but due to their size, could only be moved between bridges at low tide. Clearance was
minimal and timing was everything!
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The three section’s journey from Toulouse, France, included the final trip via road to the
Airbus fabrication facility.
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Once the sections arrived at the Airbus facility, work began on the assembly of the fuselage.
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This plane is BIG…with two passenger decks.

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From beneath the belly of this beast, it’s size can be scaled…
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The new “bowed” wing design was now more visible. Conventional wings are straight
tending upwards towards the tips, while the A380 bows downwards out to the tips.
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With the Airbus introductory paint work nearing completion, arrangement were being made
for the first display of the plane – that being the Reveal Ceremony for Airbus staff.
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Final touches prior to the event...

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The Reveal Ceremony for the Airbus

employees...
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The massive Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines are capable of 375kN (84 000lbs) of thrust…
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Engine de-storage. The smoke is created by combustion of the “storage oil” in the engine fuel
system on initial start-up. Here engine #3 is fired up for the first time.
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Low speed rolling on a wet runway. First ground testing begins.

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Low speed rolling with reverses (note the heat waves ahead of the engines).
Again the new style wings are very obvious from this angle.
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Take off on her maiden voyage – April 27th 2005.

First time the wheels lift off the ground…
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To the delight of 50 000 spectators, the A380 officially becomes an airplane!

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While performing a 1000ft fly-past she was amazingly quiet for such a large powerful plane!
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Her new wing design very apparent

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After her maiden flight a graceful and successful landing……

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Airbus A380 Specifications:
Engines:
4 X 374kN (84 000lb) thrust Rolls Royce Trent 900’s
(or 4 X 363kN (81 500lb) thrust GE Pratt & Whitney GP-
7200 Turbofans)
Maximum Speed:
Mach 0.88 or 1050km/h
Maximum Altitude:
43 000 feet
Range @ Cruising Speed and Altitude:
8000nm (14 800km)
Capacity:
555 Passengers in three classes