french airbus superjumbo a380 is turning into a turkey

[tom d. friedman]

the huge a380 mega liner superjumbo is turning into a ground bound turkey. originally slated to be operational in 2006, the giant has been plagued with many problems. it has become a headache for airbus. delivery was originally put back another year due to wiring problems, now 2 years delay. fedex ordered 10, but recently backed out in favor of the boeing 777. the delays are costing airbus 6 billion $$$!!! fedex will buy 15 777's. virgin atlantic airways won't have their order filled till 2013!!! bigger is not always better.

[corsair166b]

Reckon the folks at Boeing are eating this all up with a spoon about now?

M

[sabredriver]

bugger me but WHEN did a A380 airliner become a topic on warbird forum?

someone please help me out?

[DaveM2]

My thoughts exactly.....perhaps its big enough to fit 10 P-51s inside??

Dave

[Manonthefence]

From a passenger point of view (and it pains me to say it because I am English first and European last) I cant see the difference between and Airbus and a Boeing. On my trip to Reno this year I flew on both types (sometimes in the same day) the worst flight was on a Boeing and the best flight was on a Boeing, the A320's I flew were just fine, lots of legroom even on Ted!

The problem with the A380 is not with the aircraft per say but with the build program (as told to be by a friend who is one of the test pilots on it).

If you guys are gloating because Boeing has put one over on Airbus then think about this. If the US manufacturing industry is so good why were the buses that took me to the pylons at Reno this year built in Mexico?

Airbus aint perfect, I am not a fan, just an objective observer.

[Originalboxcar]

If you guys are gloating because Boeing has put one over on Airbus then think about this. If the US manufacturing industry is so good why were the buses that took me to the pylons at Reno this year built in Mexico?

One word: GREED!:twisted:

Interesting graphic depicting the A380's size in comparison to other BIG aircraft (including a warbird (happy now?:wink:))



regards,

t~

[bdk]

If the US manufacturing industry is so good why were the buses that took me to the pylons at Reno this year built in Mexico?

Maybe the folks in Reno didn't want to pay for a good bus? Why aren't transistor radios made in the US any more? Unskilled labor is cheaper elsewhere.

[RNDMTRS4EVR]

Think of how many P-51's or P-47's etc,,, you could build out of those A-380's
Scott.....

[bdk]

From someone that should know!

As Airbus toils, Boeing's 747 chief looks back with pride
Agence France Presse 11/09/2006
Agence France-Presse (Copyright 2006)


WASHINGTON, Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) -

The crisis engulfing Airbus as it struggles to roll out its A380 superjumbo brings back memories for the man who was in charge of Boeing's 747 project.

The development of the original jumbo jet was overseen by Boeing chief engineer Joseph Sutter, who recalled that the US aviation giant flirted with bankruptcy in the early 1970s after taking an enormous gamble on the 747.

"For these first several years, it was very tight for Boeing to meet their payroll and keep the operations going," Sutter, who is now 85, told AFP in an telephone interview.

"The 747 was strictly a commercial effort and Boeing didn't have enough of their own money. They were heavily involved with the banks and there were times when the banks were saying, 'there is nothing more'," he said.

"If the airlines did not accept the airplane, if some of the orders were cancelled, it could very well be that ... you go into bankruptcy."

But Boeing did not fail. In fact, it thrived as the 747 became a global success embraced by airlines and freight carriers around the world.

Airbus will be hoping that the A380 follows a similar trajectory, but so far the superjumbo has had an even more chequered development than the 747.

The A380 is now two years behind schedule because of production headaches, and on Monday, US cargo giant FedEx cancelled 10 orders for the plane's freighter version in preference for Boeing cargo planes.

Airlines around the world, angered at the delays to a plane on which Airbus is staking its future, have demanded compensation and the freighter version could now be in doubt after the FedEx withdrawal.

"When you develop a programme like the 747, or build a big bridge, or build the A380, nothing is ever perfect," Sutter observed.

"You run into technical difficulties, you run into budget difficulties, you run into schedule difficulties. It's a fight all the way to meet all your commitments," he said.

However, as Sutter notes with pride, Boeing managed to get the 747 in the air for its first commercial flight with the now-defunct Pan Am in 1970, just four years after the project was first conceived.

In response to Pan Am's request for a jumbo plane to meet rising demand for air travel during the 1960s, about 50,000 Boeing workers nicknamed "The Incredibles" toiled to build the largest civilian plane in less than 16 months.

"The orders were slow for two, three, four years, but there were no cancellations," Sutter said, while also noting that he remained in charge of the 747 project throughout.

"I think in the A380 programme there were several changes of leadership. When somebody new takes over, he first has to look at what was left behind and you don't immediately change everything.

"One thing that does change the focus on what you are trying to achieve."

The chief engineer also maintains that the 747 met a clear commercial need at the time, evoking Boeing's objection that airlines now need smaller, more fuel-efficient planes rather than behemoths like the new Airbus.

"I think in the case of the A380, it wasn't just commercial reasons for the airplane, I think it was a desire to build something bigger than a 747," he said.

"When the 747 came into being ... not too many people were flying and then the 747 came alone and reduced ticket prices by about 30 percent so many, many more people could fly.

"So it was a revolution, and that revolution has gone now, it's more an evolutionary process."

[Broken-Wrench]

I flew were just fine, lots of legroom even on Ted! If you guys are gloating because Boeing has put one over on Airbus.

1. Shame on you for flying United..... ]TED is United with out U aNd I. Those Basstrds stole my pension.

2. Americans at P&W are counting on the sale of those engines to Airbus

[Manonthefence]

Not to mention avionics , electricals etc.

At least you know the wings are well made (they're British)

[Mike]

At least you know the wings are well made (they're British)

Welsh!

[ww2John]

originalboxcar - thanks for the graphic. It also shows just how large Mr. Hughes flying lumberyard truly was compared to other large a/c.

[phil65]

I flew were just fine, lots of legroom even on Ted! If you guys are gloating because Boeing has put one over on Airbus.

1. Shame on you for flying United..... ]TED is United with out U aNd I. Those Basstrds stole my pension.

2. Americans at P&W are counting on the sale of those engines to Airbus

Thanks Chuck
Maybe we can sell some C-17
Sorry to hear about your wife leaving
Now how I'm I going to get those VIP tickets to airshows

[Manonthefence]

Welsh!

like I said, British (note the cunning lack of the E word)