The 1st A380, F-WWOW was towed this afternoon to the "Abreuvoir" (Flight Test Apron) Supervise my photographs on screening.
First flight in 8-15 days  

Yann/FFAS

Nice to share, Yann, however there was already a thread on the subject: "A380 first flight" with the same info. But not the pictures  

This is so very cool!

Quoting JBOND (Thread starter): The 1st A380, F-WWOW

Anything Special behind the Reg mark.
regds
MEL

what pictures??

Chris

Thank God...the paint must have finally dried.

what pictures??


all rejected (

Like this one ?



 

Is it just me, or does that tail look extremely low to the ground? It seems that until the rear wheels leave the ground it will takeoff at a very low angle.

It's you. I guess this is an optical effect as the aircraft is tall.

That's not the best picture i've seen around because we don't see the wings... and the wings are really really nice and impressive !

I have to say, with the other aircraft in the background it looks HUGE! This is one aircraft that will certainly dominate the ramp - wherever it visits.

I can't believe there are talks of stretching it too - it's going to be massive.

I also thought the tail looked rather low but agree with Aither that it's an optical effect.

Can't wait to see it fly.

Quoting Btblue (Reply 10): I have to say, with the other aircraft in the background it looks HUGE! This is one aircraft that will certainly dominate the ramp - wherever it visits.

I agree it is going to be big. I cant wait to see its test flight and cant wait to fly on it aswell.

filton216

WOW that thing is amazing, it really dwarfs the A346 in the background...

You can really see how much space they lost in the upper deck but not having it extend all the way to the front... It looks to be about 9 rows less than the bottom level, with a 2-2-2 or 2-3-2 up top that loses about 54-63 seats??

Still amazing though...

Corey, but the space used there is not used elsewhere...

You're right. It would have looked better with a 747-style hump. Oh well...
But when I look at this plane in every photo, it doesn't seem that big to me. Perhaps it's the stunted length. I look forward to the stretch version. Anybody have a link to an illustration of the stretched version?

Quoting Aither (Reply 7): Like this one ?

At least it shows how much better the A380 colors compare to the yuckly old Airbus colors on that -600 in the background! Now that<'s/i> an improvement.

Quoting Byrdluvs747 (Reply 8): Is it just me, or does that tail look extremely low to the ground? It seems that until the rear wheels leave the ground it will takeoff at a very low angle.

Good point, but keep in mind the landing gear is like 18ft tall!! But I would suspect that as well as a bit of an illusion, this bird probably doesn't rotate too quick for a tail-strike to become an issue...Err I hope 

The test team must be really eager now to fire this bird up and shake some buildings!!!

That is one impressive plane, but, to me, it looks naked without a row of politicians sitting alongside it!  

Quoting Hmmmm... (Reply 14): But when I look at this plane in every photo, it doesn't seem that big to me. Perhaps it's the stunted length

I think its a matter of scale, of seeing it near to something you are used to seeing. I saw an AN-124 on the ramp at PHL and thought it wasn't so big. When I saw one land at BNA, on a runway I see all the time, I was awe struck. When the gear struck the runway it sounded like someone dropped an eighteen wheeler from forty feet and I was on the other side of the airport. As it taxied over to the ramp near me I could only think "nothing this big is supposed to fly".

Why are the engine cones orange in the pic?

All new RR engines these days have coloured cones, the A340-500/600 ones were originally blue.

It seems to me that everyone at Airbus is just happy enough marveling at this plane on the ground and don't want to dirty it by flying it! Look at the row of people standing at the fence watching it. It's almost as if they don't want to take they're nice shiny new plane out of the garage!

BTW, I think the cones are actually a similar colour to the A345 and A346, those are just orange covers used to protect to engine exhaust area.

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 3): Anything Special behind the Reg mark.

A380=WOW!

Quoting Corey07850 (Reply 12): You can really see how much space they lost in the upper deck but not having it extend all the way to the front... It looks to be about 9 rows less than the bottom level, with a 2-2-2 or 2-3-2 up top that loses about 54-63 seats?? Still amazing though...

How many seats are gained on the top in the Back if any?

Quoting Monteycarlos (Reply 21): It seems to me that everyone at Airbus is just happy enough marveling at this plane on the ground and don't want to dirty it by flying it! Look at the row of people standing at the fence watching it. It's almost as if they don't want to take they're nice shiny new plane out of the garage!

i think there scared of getting it back on the ground, and what ay happen when that huge weight slams down on a runway. there doesn't look like a lot of room between the rear of the plane and the ground, easy tailstrike material?

Quoting Qantas077 (Reply 24): what ay happen when that huge weight slams down on a runway

During the test flights of the 747, this was apparently a concern. So test pilots were surprised that its size actually compressed the air below the aircraft just before landing. This effect creates a cushion and actually causes the 747 to float during the landing flare onto the runway.

I'd suspect the same from the A380 during a landing.

But T/O with 4 x Trent 900 at full power - Will be different story.... rar rar rarrrrrrrrrrrrr, rumble rumble rumble, whooshhh! 

Quoting Lazybones (Reply 25): So test pilots were surprised that its size actually compressed the air below the aircraft just before landing. This effect creates a cushion and actually causes the 747 to float during the landing flare onto the runway.

It happens to every aircraft, from Cessnas, to Dash and to the 747. It's called the ground effect.

This shot must be of the WhaleJet on the way to the "Abrevuoir."

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Photo © French Frogs AirSlides

Nice picture of the A380-800 MSN 001 (F-WWOW) being moved!    Looks like a big crowd is there watching the plane being towed.

The A380-800 actually looks deceivingly "small" due to the fact the fuselage length doesn't emphasize the sheer size of the plane, unlike the 747 where the fuselage length does emphasize the size of the plane.

The stretch versions are going to be pretty huge.

Quoting Aither (Reply 9): That's not the best picture i've seen around because we don't see the wings... and the wings are really really nice and impressive !

With a stretch version and the already long wing span, this thing is REALLY going to be huge... The landing gear does seem to be dwarfed by the rest of the plane.

Anyone notice how it looks like one of the engines is about to hit the grass berm? Judging by the shadows, I think the engine is real close.

iwok

Leelaw--
Hope the evacuees don't get sucked into the engines on the way down.

The emotionally-diseased comments from you about all this just keep gurgling out, don't they though.

Let's hope it's actually a highly-successful first flight which everybody can applaud!

Quoting Lazybones (Reply 25): I'd suspect the same from the A380 during a landing.

Yeah I wonder if those massive wings would effect the amount of ground effect?

Obviously the Airbus systems would be there to prevent a tail strike occuring, but as the first flight is to be flown in direct law, the pilots would want to take it easy I guess.

This picture must also bring a warm smile to the faces of everyone at RR. The A380 has Trent 900s, the A340 behind it has Trent 500s and the A330 beside it has Trent 700s. Times change...

Wow, look at that. Papa came to town! The A380 really looks huge in comparison to all the other A/C in that photo. Can not wait to see her fly! bring it on already! 

If one took seat config on the lower level, say in a typical layout of the A 380 and compare it to a 744 with similar config, how would they compare wrt to number of seats

Quoting Radarbeam (Reply 26): It happens to every aircraft, from Cessnas, to Dash and to the 747. It's called the ground effect.

Yeah right, the ground effect from the last PA38 I flew would have been comparable to a 747!!! Urrr Nope!! Size Matters Dude 

I think that was the first pic of the A380 I've seen with other aircraft in the frame, and I must say she looks fantastic!

I can't wait for this bird to take to the skies, and by the looks of things this isn't too far away!

Cheers,
Ian.

Quoting Mark_D. (Reply 30): The emotionally-diseased comments from you about all this just keep gurgling out, don't they though. Let's hope it's actually a highly-successful first flight which everybody can applaud!

My feeble attempt to make light of the location of the escape hatch in the forward cargo hold door described in caption of the picture has fallen flat indeed. Upon further reflection, my admittedly snide remark was in poor taste and I apologize to the rest of the forum. In an act of contrition, I will bow in the direction of Toulouse and say ten Hail A380s.

Quoting Leelaw (Reply 37): I will bow in the direction of Toulouse and say ten Hail A380s.

Well thats better than having to give your thanks and praise for the A343 climb rate.  

I hope you learnt your lesson, hehe.

Leelaw, two gratuitous negative comments out of two posts. I thought you were big on the need to contribute substance in a post or remain silent?

PS Just saw your 'mia culpa'. Repentance accepted.

It's still one big, ugly airplane. Although the Euro-white certainly is an improvement over the green unpainted version.

It may be ugly, but not as ugly as it was when it was not complete. the reason I cannot believe there are talks of stretching it to accomodate 630-650 passengers is I'm not sure there is a market there is a market this large to get those things full. And with surging fuel prices, this task is only going to get more challenging of filling them up. I must admit however that the airlines who buy the A380 are not necessarily making a poor decision...people have convinced me that some flights are necessary for the A380-800. The question is how much longer before the US airports have to give in, because I think it ludicrous that they will not allow it in. You cannot stop change easily.

Quoting Thrust (Reply 41): And with surging fuel prices, this task is only going to get more challenging of filling them up.

Actually, the A380 might become a mean to keep passengers if oil prices continue to increase. We'll see if people will be ready to be packed in such a big plane, or will prefer to pay a bit more and travel in more traditionally sized aircrafts.
It can only be cheaper and profitable, of course, on busy routes.

Quoting Thrust (Reply 41): with surging fuel prices, this task is only going to get more challenging of filling them up.

The challenge is not so much in filling the seats, the trick is filling them at fare levels which yield profits.

Quoting Thrust (Reply 41): some flights are necessary for the A380-800

Perhaps you meant: the A380 is necessary for some flights?

Quoting Thrust (Reply 41): The question is how much longer before the US airports have to give in, because I think it ludicrous that they will not allow it in.

IIRC, more major airports in the U.S. (JFK, LAX, SFO, MIA, MEM, etc.) will be ready to accommodate the WhaleJet by EIS, or shortly thereafter, than any other country. If and when the A380 gains wide market acceptance the more skeptical airport managers in the U.S. will decide to accommodate the WhaleJet as well.

In Aithers photo you can finally see a comparison size between the A380 and A340!

These wings are really something. We´ll see some serious wingflex soon....

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Photo © French Frogs AirSlides

Quoting Lazybones (Reply 35): Yeah right, the ground effect from the last PA38 I flew would have been comparable to a 747!!! Urrr Nope!! Size Matters Dude

Re-read my post I didn't said it was comparable, I said it happened to every aircraft.

awesome photo - by how much will those wings bend once they are fully fueled

Hail WhaleJet!

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Photo © French Frogs AirSlides

Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 15): At least it shows how much better the A380 colors compare to the yuckly old Airbus colors on that -600 in the background! Now that's an improvement.

For $15Billion development, there should be an improvement over the A340.   

Quoting Lazybones (Reply 16): this bird probably doesn't rotate too quick for a tail-strike to become an issue...Err I hope Big grin

That's one of the reason they need to flight test it before carrying passengers.   
While I don't think the WhaleJet is as beautiful as the Dreamliner, I don't find it fugly. (I thought it was a bit fugly before it was painted.) I'm still looking forward to flying it on SQ2. Upstairs should have a completely different feel from the B747 or anything else. I have to try it. Maybe I'll like it.  

Quoting Lazybones (Reply 16): Good point, but keep in mind the landing gear is like 18ft tall!!

Uh, more like half that.

Quoting Leelaw (Reply 37): to make light of the location of the escape hatch in the forward cargo hold door

Oh, I see.

Quoting Thrust (Reply 41): The question is how much longer before the US airports have to give in, because I think it ludicrous that they will not allow it in. You cannot stop change easily.

It will be a while, do not expect it all at once; this is afterall an 'unproven method' to doing what works. 

This thing should be renamed "BUFF" lmao.

That is one big aircraft indeed. I also like the new Airbus livery. Does anyone which aircraft Airbus will send to the Paris Air Show? Looking at the somewhat delayed schedule of the first flight of the A380, the timeframe seems to become very tight for the Paris Air Show. On the other hand it would be a bad move by Airbus if they wouldn't show this new bird in Paris!!!

Anyway, looking forward to seeing the A380 at the Paris Air Show and fly on the A380 one day 

A388

WOW! From the picture posted in reply 48, those landing gear are not 18' tall. At least the distance from the ground to the planes belly isnt 18'. Look at the van behind it.

And don't start with "its an optical effect" junk. Because based on the other shadows in that pic, I place the sun somewhere in front of the plane. That van is in the planes shadow almost directly behind it.

Also, why are the inner engines so close to the ground? Kinda reminds me of the 737.

Quoting A388 (Reply 51): That is one big aircraft indeed.

Quoting Byrdluvs747 (Reply 52): why are the inner engines so close to the ground

"Dr. Ruth" has said many times that big one's often have low-hangers.

Quoting Leelaw (Reply 53): why are the inner engines so close to the ground

May be full of fuel for testing? The wings certainly look to be drooping significantly more in these shots than the first rollout shots:

View Large View Medium Photo © Samuel Depraz

View Large View Medium Photo © French Frogs AirSlides

If you look at the left picture, the inner engines appear to be about 5-6 feet off the ground.

Jan

This was probably answered already, but are the orange nozzles actually orange, or are those just covers to protect the engine while it is not being operated?

They are FOD Protection covers. Last thing you want is an animal getting in there during the night!

Cheers!

Rez
 

I think it looks great, never seen such good looking stubby little (BIG) thing. I hope it glides and then soars into the air, it will look great against a blue sky

here is a link to an msnbc photo of the A380 on top of the bridge......good to see the overpass not collapsing.  

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7421025/

And here they are, the test pilots...



Love the bright orange suits lads, matches the engine covers! Anyone would think these guys were about to board the space shuttle  

Quoting Byrdluvs747 (Reply 52): Also, why are the inner engines so close to the ground?

The gear is about 14-18ft tall, as in when its standing in the hanger waiting to be attached to the airframe. Sorry, I didn't mean the clearance was 18ft. But here's an interesting article giving you an idea of scale:-

http://www.airbusnorthamerica.com/newsroom/article_detail.asp?ae_id=76

The ground clearance is as follows (Source: Airbus.com)
Inner engines clearance 1.05-1.23 Meters
Fuselage clearance 1.83 Meters (6ft) (Approx)

The ground clearance for a 777 to compare (Source: Boeing.com)
Engine clearance 0.77 - 0.99 Meters

Quoting Radarbeam (Reply 46): Re-read my post I didn't said it was comparable, I said it happened to every aircraft.

Yes I did re-read your post, and slipped into a temporary coma due to extensive boredom. The point of my original post was simple, and simply explained. Big plane, soft landing (747). So i'm expecting the Bigger plane, softer landing (A380). All this as a response to a little joke made by Qantas077 about it slamming onto the runway.

Quoting Leelaw (Reply 27): Hope the evacuees don't get sucked into the engines on the way down

lol..

The photo posted by Aither in reply 7 might not be up to a.net boring "standards" but to me it's the most interesting shot of the A380 I've seen so far. The ship doesn't even look that ugly in this angle. I'm sorry but it just looks so ugly in all the other pics.. and the eurowhite colors don't help it.

Any angle which doesn't show it nose first or side-on is an advantage to the A380, such as the link on reply 59. That impressive stance effectively draws your attention away from it's ugly shape.

Here is a model of the A380 next to a model of a 747-400

Are those two models the same scale? The A380 is ment to dwarf the 747 I cant wait to see the two aircraft side by side in an airport.

Quoting Shamrock350 (Reply 63): Are those two models the same scale?

No. The 744 = 1/400, & the A380 = 1/500. I have 1/400 models of both aircraft; while the A388 doesn't exactly dwarf the 744, the additional "girth" of the WhaleJet is very noticeable.

In real life, the cabin width of the A380 is only 1 foot wider than the 747.

I think that is why it doesn't appear to dominate in a side by side comparision.

The wingspan is the only considerably larger dimension.

Here is a comparison with measurements.