1. AIRBUS A380
Has Airbus set the benchmark for future aviation? Will other manufacturers follow this trend?

2. 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!

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

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

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

6. AIRBUS A380

7. 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…

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

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

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

13. 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.

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

15. 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.

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

17. AIRBUS A380
To the delight of spectators, the A380 officially becomes an airplane!

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

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

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

21. 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 Turbofans)
Maximum Speed:
Mach 0.88 or 1050km/h
Maximum Altitude:
feet
Cruising Speed and Altitude:
8000nm (14 800km)
Capacity:
555 Passengers in three classes