Dos_Box Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 Just announced - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47231504 This isn't exactly a surprise tbh, I'd been hearing rumblings for a while now on other forums where professional pilots chat. It was a project too long in the making that didn't see the way air travel was headed. Just like the article states many airlines are now buying narrower twin engined planes that have a greater range and fuel economy (think Boeing's Dreamliner). These smaller planes also have the advantage of busting the 'hub and spoke' model of flying i.e. you take a small sort-range plane to a larger airport then get on a big plane to get to your long distance destination. With the newer planes you can simply get on and fly direct to your destination from smaller airports. Another problem the A380 had was that it required expensive modifications to your airport to fit them in, not to mention that when they were taxiing they needed more space (preventing other planes maneuvering) and on take off they created such a wake vortex that there was quite a delay before the plane following could take off. Still, they are an impressive plane to see take off and land, and it's still on my list of planes I want to fly on. I wonder how long before many are converted to freighters?
tg12 Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 Yeah, the A380 came in at an awkward time really when the market was starting to shift and fuel efficiency became a bigger priority. Still a very cool aircraft, still get excited spotting them flying over London!
Kitkatninja Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 Read about that online, I feel sorry for the 3.5k people in France and 9k people in the UK whose jobs are going to be affected...
XiJ Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 I suspect the majority of those jobs will transition to one of the other aircraft being being built. But as an #avgeek I’m saddened by this. Along with the numbered days of the 747 it’s another step backwards in the romance / comfortable air travel. It was an incredible piece of engineering. The A380 is also the best plane I’ve ever flown on as a passenger. Quite, comfy and lots of entertainment. Travelling in a small toothpaste tube for hours will just be dull.
FN-GM Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 I wonder how long before many are converted to freighters? I don't think this will happen for a few reasons. 1. The MTOW (Maximum Take Off Weight) is quite low. The proportion of space and MTOW are not aligned. Would be ok for flying pillows though! 2. The shape of the upper deck doesn't suit existing containers and pallets. 3. There is equipment needed to get pallets and containers onto the upper deck. Similar problem to the airport mods you mentioned.
tg12 Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 I think Airbus intended to make an A380F freighter version but nobody ever wanted it, so it was quietly shelved. Meanwhile, Boeing have the opposite problem with the latest 747 iteration, the 747-8. The passenger version isn't getting many orders but the 747-8F is apparently doing alright.
sted Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 (edited) I think Airbus intended to make an A380F freighter version but nobody ever wanted it, so it was quietly shelved. Meanwhile, Boeing have the opposite problem with the latest 747 iteration, the 747-8. The passenger version isn't getting many orders but the 747-8F is apparently doing alright. wasnt the 747 originally designed way back when though to be capable of being used as a freight plane as well as a passenger plane rather than the add it later approach of the a380. come to think of it isnt the whole point of the top deck so that cargo could be loaded front and rear the fact it gave a 1st class lounge etc was more a byproduct of its cargo design than something designed for passengers im not so sure its a backwards step as a side wards one its not like with Concorde the tech is basically being lost bar the airframe all the advances in avionics etc can be applied to smaller aircraft. you have to assume that from a cost point of view a lot of parts are shared with its smaller planes no point in making 10 different versions of an altimeter if you dont need to Edited February 14, 2019 by sted 1
Dos_Box Posted February 14, 2019 Author Posted February 14, 2019 (edited) I've been reading up on the freighter part this morning and yes, as it it, it is not suited to be a freighter whilst the 747 had the freighter variant in mind during the planning stages. Two big problem are the center of mass of the A380 does not lead to cargo carrying and it is a 'weird' width for industry standard air freight containers. It's a similar story with the Airbus A400M (the military transport). Very few people have bought it as the market wanted a better C130 (Hercules) type and what they gave was a poor C17 (Globemaster). They really do need to pay attention to their target markets in the future. Edited February 14, 2019 by Dos_Box
Sonic007 Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 Loved the A380 but see why its heading the way it is. Beautiful plane and so quiet inside. Got the chance to go upfront and tour the plane when it first came out and will always remember that. One of my fave aircraft alongside the Vulcan, Concorde, and the 747. Am now hoping Boom Supersonic crack on with their new plane which is looking good.
PotNoodleTech Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 Flew on one to New Zealand last year. Smoothest quietest and best plane I've ever flown on.
FN-GM Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 They are very quiet. I was on one for 7 hours than then connected onto a Boeing 777 straight after. That please is loud!
Dos_Box Posted February 14, 2019 Author Posted February 14, 2019 (edited) On another note, the A380 based Beluga XL is on its test flight over the UK today. Watch the skies!! Edited February 14, 2019 by Dos_Box 1
Sonic007 Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 On another note, the A380 based Beluga XL is on its test flight over the UK today. Watch the skies!! [ATTACH=CONFIG]52275[/ATTACH] It flew over Bristol and up to Derby where it went over the RR factory. I'm hoping we get another visit of the Antonov 225 which comes into EMA every few years.
FN-GM Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 On another note, the A380 based Beluga XL is on its test flight over the UK today. Watch the skies!! [ATTACH=CONFIG]52275[/ATTACH] Its based on the A330 not the A380 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_Beluga_XL
XiJ Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 It flew over Bristol and up to Derby where it went over the RR factory. I'm hoping we get another visit of the Antonov 225 which comes into EMA every few years. Yeah would love to see the An225. I know it’s been in to Doncaster before which is 20 mins away. I’ve heard the and il-76 fly over after take as I was going to bed one night. Thought it was coming down - so loud! We fairly regularly get an-12’s too.
sted Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 Yeah would love to see the An225. I know it’s been in to Doncaster before which is 20 mins away. I’ve heard the and il-76 fly over after take as I was going to bed one night. Thought it was coming down - so loud! We fairly regularly get an-12’s too. just a point about doncaster airport dont take your car anywhere near there they have been known to fine people for stopping in traffic
XiJ Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 There’s space to park around the other side and end of run way. Although I’ve never been when it’s crazy busy - but regularly have lunch there as it’s between a couple of my schools
MYK-IT Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 Was fortunate to fly, upper deck on an A380 last year to Boston. Very impressive aeroplane.
Sonic007 Posted February 15, 2019 Posted February 15, 2019 Yeah would love to see the An225. I know it’s been in to Doncaster before which is 20 mins away. I’ve heard the and il-76 fly over after take as I was going to bed one night. Thought it was coming down - so loud! We fairly regularly get an-12’s too. Got this pic a few years back of the 225 coming into East Midlands. On anther note, such a shame that Vulcan XH558 was retired to Doncaster. Its more or less useless there. Would have been much better off at Bruntingthorpe for fast taxi.
XiJ Posted February 15, 2019 Posted February 15, 2019 Wow great pic! I nearly named by daughter after her (Mriya, not Antonov 225 [emoji23]) Agree about the Vulcan. Although close she’s wasted sat outside there at an airport where she can’t run. 1
jumpinjamez Posted February 20, 2019 Posted February 20, 2019 Lucky to see the A380 land and take off daily at Birmingham Airport and you can get close to the runway via a country Park viewing area. Its still amazing something so big manages to fly and it is quite even compared to much smaller aircraft. 1
crocco_john Posted February 20, 2019 Posted February 20, 2019 Lucky to see the A380 land and take off daily at Birmingham Airport and you can get close to the runway via a country Park viewing area. Its still amazing something so big manages to fly and it is quite even compared to much smaller aircraft. Me to it buzzes the roof tops here as it comes over every day!
Norphy Posted February 20, 2019 Posted February 20, 2019 Its based on the A330 not the A380 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_Beluga_XL I didn't think that it being based on the A380 sounded right, there's only two engines on that thing!
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