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!

AIRBUS A380 The three section’s journey from Toulouse, France, included the final trip via road to the Airbus fabrication facility.

AIRBUS A380 Once the sections arrived at the Airbus facility, work began on the assembly of the fuselage.

This plane is BIG…with two passenger decks. AIRBUS A380 This plane is BIG…with two passenger decks.

AIRBUS A380

From beneath the belly of this beast, it’s size can be scaled… AIRBUS A380 From beneath the belly of this beast, it’s size can be scaled…

AIRBUS A380 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.

AIRBUS A380 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.

Final touches prior to the event... AIRBUS A380 Final touches prior to the event...

The Reveal Ceremony for the Airbus employees... AIRBUS A380 The Reveal Ceremony for the Airbus employees...

AIRBUS A380 The massive Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines are capable of 375kN (84 000lbs) of thrust…

AIRBUS A380 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.

Low speed rolling on a wet runway. First ground testing begins. AIRBUS A380 Low speed rolling on a wet runway. First ground testing begins.

AIRBUS A380 Low speed rolling with reverses (note the heat waves ahead of the engines). Again the new style wings are very obvious from this angle.

AIRBUS A380 Take off on her maiden voyage – April 27th 2005. First time the wheels lift off the ground…

AIRBUS A380 To the delight of 50 000 spectators, the A380 officially becomes an airplane!

AIRBUS A380 While performing a 1000ft fly-past she was amazingly quiet for such a large powerful plane!

Her new wing design very apparent AIRBUS A380 Her new wing design very apparent

After her maiden flight a graceful and successful landing…… AIRBUS A380 After her maiden flight a graceful and successful landing……

AIRBUS A380 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