In order to reduce rew training costs, the Airbus A380 used similar cockpit layout, procedures and handling characteristics to those of other Airbus airplane.
The A380 features an improved glass cockpit, and fly-by-wire flight controls linked to side-sticks. The improved cockpit displays feature eight 15-by-20 cm (6-by-8-inch) LCD (liquid crystal displays), which are physically identical and interchangeable.
These comprise two PFD (Primary Flight Display), two ND (navigation display), one engine parameter display, one system display and two MFD (Multi-Function Displays). These MFDs are new with the A380, and provide an easy-to-use interface to the FMS (flight Management System) replacing three MCDU (multifunction control and display units).
They include QWERTY keyboards and trackballs, interfacing with a graphical "point-and-click" display navigation system.
The Length of A380
The overall length of A380 is 73 meter (239 ft 6 in).
The length of Boeing B747 is 70.6 m (231 ft 10 in) [Boeing 747-100, 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400ER] and 76.4 m (250 ft 8 in) [Boeing 747-8I].
The length of longest airliner Airbus A340-600 is 75.30 m 246 ft 11 in.
The length of Boeing B747 is 70.6 m (231 ft 10 in) [Boeing 747-100, 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400ER] and 76.4 m (250 ft 8 in) [Boeing 747-8I].
The length of longest airliner Airbus A340-600 is 75.30 m 246 ft 11 in.
Nickname of A380
In the early 1990s Airbus started the development of a very large airliner (termed Megaliner by Airbus in the early development stages).
The aircraft was also known as the Airbus A3XX during much of its development phase, but the nickname Superjumbo has since become associated with this biggest airliner.
The Range of A380
The design range for the A380-800 model is 15,200 km (8,200 nmi) sufficient to fly from HKIA Hongkong International Airport (Hongkong) to JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York). The range of freighter model the A380-800F is only 10,400 km (5,600 nmi).
RangeThe maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity.
The Airbus A380 is a Double Deck
The double deck of the Airbus A380 .
The upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage.
This allows for a cabin with 50% more floor space than the Boeing 747-400, and provides seating for 525 people in standard three-class configuration or up to 853 people in full economy class configuration.
The double deck of the Boeing B747
The upper deck does not extend along the entire length of the fuselage.
A380 cabin cross section
The A380-800, the passenger model provides seating for 525 people in standard three-class configuration or up to 853 people in full economy class configuration. The -800 model is the largest passenger airliner in the world, superseding the Boeing 747, but has a shorter fuselage than the Airbus A340-600 which is the longest passenger airplane.
A380-800 cabin cross section that shows economy class seat
A380-800 cabin cross section that shows economy class seatA380 Specifications
| Measurement | A380-800 (Passenger) | A380-800F (Freighter) |
| Cockpit crew | 2 (Two) | 2 (Two) |
| Seat capacity | 525 (3-class) | 12 couriers |
| 644 (2-class) | ||
| 853 (1-class) | ||
| Length | 73 m (239 ft 6 in) | 74 m (239 ft 6 in) |
| Span | 79.8 m (261 ft 10 in) | 79.8 m (261 ft 10 in) |
| Height | 24.1 m (79 ft 1 in) | 24.1 m (79 ft 1 in) |
| Wheelbase | 30.4 m (99 ft 8 in) | 30.4 m (99 ft 8 in) |
| Fuselage width (outside) | 7.14 m (23 ft 6 in) | 7.14 m (23 ft 6 in) |
| Cabin width (main deck) | 6.60 m (21 ft 8 in) | 6.60 m (21 ft 8 in) |
| Cabin width (upper deck) | 5.94 m (19 ft 6 in) | 5.94 m (19 ft 6 in) |
| Wing area | 845 m² (9,100 sq ft) | 846 m² (9,100 sq ft) |
| Operating empty weight | 276,800 kg (610,200 lb) | 252,200 kg (556,000 lb) |
| Max T/O Weight (MTOW) | 560,000 kg (1,235,000 lb) | 590,000 kg (1,300,000 lb) |
| | ||
| Max Payload | 90,800 kg (200,000 lb) | 152,400 kg (336,000 lb) |
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.85 | Mach 0.85 |
| Max cruise speed | Mach 0.89 | Mach 0.89 |
| Max speed | Mach 0.96 | Mach 0.96 |
| T/O run at MTOW | 2,750 m (9,020 ft)[75] | 2,900 m (9,510 ft) |
| Range at design load | 15,200 km (8,200 nmi) | 10,400 km (5,600 nmi) |
| Service ceiling | 13,115 m (43,000 ft) | 13,115 m (43,000 ft) |
| Max fuel capacity | 310,000 L (81,890 US gal) | 310,000 L (81,890 US gal), |
| 356,000 L (94,000 US gal) option | ||
| Engines (4 x) | GP7270 (A380-861) | GP7277 (A380-863F) |
| Trent 970/B (A380-841) | Trent 977/B (A380-843F) | |
| Trent 972/B (A380-842) |
Airbus A380 vs Boeing 747
By Dani Alonso
After reading some misleading articles on the net on comparisons between the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A380, I decided to write with some facts about the differences between the two of them and why the Airbus is really a revolution by itself.
It is true, some articles will tell you that the length of the two planes differs only by 2 meters. That is a fact, the Airbus A380 measures 72.8 compared to the 70.7 of the Boeing. But the question is: who is really speaking about length as a revolution? Nobody. The revolution comes when we look at what happens related to the fact that the new giant is the first one in it's class with a full double deck. And I understand the 747 has a small part in the front where double deck was introduced, but in no way along all the plane.
This makes the maximum capacity for passengers to go to almost the double: the Boeing has a maximum of 568 passengers while the Airbus can host 840. And a new version that will host up to 950 persons is already being developed as many airlines where interested in the option for low cost flights. And I understand that everybody will agree here with me that this is a real revolution. We have nearly doubled the number of passengers we can transport with one single aircraft!
Again, then, the lack of information makes some people to stick to one fact forgetting all the other.
Going further in the discussion, there are many other characteristics that make the two planes different. Speaking in numbers, the height of the two planes differs in 4.7 meters. Sounds like a small thing, but implies that the Airbus is an 8-story building and the Boeing just a 6-story one. To hold all this structure in the air, the Airbus needs a wing area of 845 m2, compared to the only 541 m2 that needs the Boeing.
There are also differences inside the cabin. The Airbus is half a meter wider than the Boeing, and this allows them to place an extra column of sits inside, or simply allow more comfort with the same columns.
All this in the end gets translated in weight that you need to lift up. The operating weight in empty of the Boeing is just 181,755 Kg. If we compare with the new big giant, it gives a value of 277,000 Kg, which is about a 75% more.
Pulling all this weight up in the sky needs a lot of power, and this has produced several innovations in the engines too. With the same number of turbofans, the Airbus is able to produce a 50% more power than its little competitor. The exact number is 84,000 lb.
The only place where the two aircrafts have more or less the same numbers in only in performance. The both have a cruise speed of around 900 km/h and a maximum of 940 km/h, and they also approximately share the same range, from 14,800 km for the Airbus and 14,205 for the Boeing.
After all, my intention is not to say that the 747 is old-fashioned. This is a very old model that keeps working perfectly in the present. Apart from that, I think we need to give an applause to the guys in Airbus, because it is obvious that the new A380 is a real revolution. And it was to be, as problems with landing gears have left the passenger plane's industry unable to produce any bigger aircraft until today.
Dani Alonso
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Airbus A380 - The New Giant Already Has Wings
By Dani Alonso
So, it seems it is already a fact. The new Airbus accomplished its first flight at the end of October with Singapore Airlines and it was a complete success. The way to reach this objective has not been easy, but after more than 1 year delay a couple of wings have been given to this giant to fly to paradise.
Looking at a single photo of the airplane can be an amazing experience, but if you are not able to appreciate size in images, let me tell you that this massive airplane reaches the high of a 7-storey building and is able to carry up to 853 passengers. Give wings to that little bird and let it cross the sky. Sounds like a tremendous scandal for all the poor real birds on the way? Well, according to Airbus, this is absolutely false, as they are proud to have built the most quiet and fuel-efficient passenger jet ever. If they say so...
After all, it seems this heavy apartments block has hit the target. The orders for it have increased and even the Saudi prince is said to be about to buy this plane for himself. I wonder what kind of parties is he planning to organize in there, but sure he will need some people to fill the space. All this is very good news, as the competition from Boeing has not been far away. With their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the old rival set a high standard and the guys in Airbus couldn't allow themselves a failure.
Lucky the ones in Orlando, that have seen for first time (and possibly the only time) a giant like the A380 to land in the south-eastern zone. Anyway, the big baby is coming back to France, to be next to his Daddy Airbus.
One of the most recent stories on this topic, is the sex ban on board of the plane, at least for Singapore Airlines. It seems that interiors provide with some luxury rooms for the most privileged customers, where everything is set to provide with a romantic atmosphere on board. But, when the time comes that champagne reaches the brain, the no-sex-policy will apply and will probably frustrate some passionate couples. I just hope they don't place internal cameras to check the strict accomplishment of the rules.
As a final note, the most recent news are speaking about another version of the A380 that will include place for 900 seats! Is this going to be the low cost one? Possibly not, but Emirates, their biggest consumer, have already said that they want this new creature and even encouraged Airbus to build some to get 1000 passengers inside. The only problem they see with that is that probably the airport installations will not be prepared to deal with that amount of passengers for one single flight!
Dani Alonso
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New Airbus A380 - Some Facts About Its Dimensions
By Dani Alonso
As you probably know, the new flying monster has been recently released. This sweet baby has gone through some troubles in the creative process, and it has specially made some engineers spend non-sleep nights trying to solve the problem with the landing gear. Why? Well, because the new Airbus A380 is not exactly a little flying mosquito.
Giving numbers is absolutely nonsense, but comparing the dimensions of the plane with some easy to understand comparisons can bring a lot of light to your minds when it comes to imagine the size of this flying machine. At least until you take your first flight inside!
Can you imagine a giraffe? Good that you can. Imagine it standing up, raising the neck up to the sky. Now, with a stronger imagination than before, imagine another giraffe that climbs on the head of the last one and stands in the same position. Repeat the process with a third giraffe, a forth one and finally a fifth one. Good job! Now you have managed to place the head of the fifth giraffe standing just by the exact height of the Airbus. That is also the equivalent to the height of an eight-storey building
Another one? Let's go for it. Now you can imagine a group of people lost in a desert in Africa with 50 Celsius degrees at the sun, looking for some place where to hide from those killing rays. By luck, they find a runway with an Airbus A380 standing there and they run to find cover under its wings. Do you know how many people will be able to avoid the sun rays under the wings of the Airbus? 5,600 people. Lucky ones!
Oh, you say that you are a kiwi lover? OK, that one is for New Zealand guys. Let's take this people out of the wings, and place your dear nearly extincted kiwis instead. Wow! You have just saved 8400 kiwis from dying under the sun!
And I don't think you have enough, I am sure you want even more examples. I am sure you have heard sometimes about the air transport of a maritime animal such as an orca or dolphins. And of course you know also that a whale can be more than two times bigger than one of these animals. Did you know then that the Airbus would be able to fit inside two whales?
Looking at this from another point of view, the two decks of the aircraft cover a total surface of 550 m2, which is the equivalent to 10 squash courts. It is a shame that those luxury rooms occupy the space because we could really have a nice flying sports field.
If you are still not convinced that the new Airbus A380 is a real giant... Well, then probably you are reading this at 3:00 a.m. and your brain has already flown away. For the other ones that read this at a decent time, let's give an applause to the new king of the sky.
Dani Alonso
Need some advice with the planning of your trip?
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A380 Bathrooms
By Lance Winslow
Bathroom seat with a view; That’s right! The all-new A-380 is trying to make air-travel fun again, with a bathroom with a view. But Airbus is not the only commercial aircraft company, which has their shit together. Boeing is also planning as a standard feature on its 787 airliners to have a window in the laboratories. Will this get more air travelers out of their SUVs and into airliners for those 350 plus mile journeys? Some industry analysts think it just might be the ticket the market sector needs.
The Airbus A-380, which will be the largest commercial airliner in the world; will also have a stand up bar, not in thunderstorms. It will have on board showers, duty free shops and scenery. Yes, scenery; flat panel display scenes like waterfalls and such. Internet access, on-board messaging service, fax service; you name it, you got it at flight level 4 Zero. (40,000 feet above sea level).
The Boeing 787 will have humidified air, so no more dry eyes during flights and because of its stronger composite cabin, it will leave the cabin pressure at 6,000 feet instead of 8,000 or 10,000 feet, meaning it is safer on the bio-system with more oxygen. Ready to get out of the driver seat yet and into a futuristic amenity rich modern jet airliner? The major commercial jet manufacturers and airlines are betting that you will. Both Airbus and Boeing have seen record orders for their latest model jets. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
New Airbus A380 - The Flying Hotel
By Dani Alonso
If the project with the Airbus A380 works with perfection, air travel is probably at the border of a revolution. Some years ago nobody could have thought of having your personal luxury room in the middle of nowhere flying at more than 30,000 feet. Even if it can seem incredible, the new Airbus A380 brings the standards of comfort to the maximum, in a way that the economy class is probably comparable to the business one in many other airlines.
Singapore Airlines has created a web-page specially for their new born plane and they have complemented it with some 3D recreations and videos of the inside of the three available classes: economy, business, and suite.
Every single detail on board is simply created as to provide the maximum comfort. The huge dimensions of the plane make it possible to create an 8-seat columns structure in the interior of the economy class, but at same time it provides with adequate surfaces where to place your feet, lateral space and more knee and legroom space.
At same time, every seat is equipped with an LCD screen where you are able to watch a wide selection of movies and play cutting edge 3D games. An special lighting system is also in place in order to allow the maximum possibilities when it comes the sleeping time.
Business class, at same time, provides with wide seats that can be reclined and transformed in a comfortable bed, direct access to the aisle, and a personal large TV screen with computer and business software. The suites provide even more space and, specially, the possibility to be in a completely private environment, with access to the latest technology for your comfort and business activities.
After all, it seems that a trip on board is going to be something more than a simple crossing from point A to point B. The new 5 giraffes high airplane wants to deliver the opposite as the low cost flight airlines try to do, and at least with Singapore Airlines, it has managed to hit the target.
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Dani Alonso
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