JetMech From Australia, joined Mar 2006, 2587 posts, RR: 53 Posted (5 years 7 months 23 hours ago) and read 37040 times:
G'day A' netters ,
The Whale-Jet has finally arrived, somewhat late but better that than never! SQ A-380, 9V-SKA touched down just after 17:20 local Sydney time from Singapore to complete the first ever commercial A-380 flight. 9V-SKA broke out from low cloud to complete a landing run using most of runway 34L at Sydney.
The arrival of 9V-SKA also marks the beginning of a new era of commercial aviation. Will the A-380 sell like hotcakes as a response to alleviating congestion at major airports as Airbus predicts, or will Boeing's dynamic duo of the B777 / B787 steal a part of the A-380's thunder?
Anyway, here are some photos I took earlier this evening at Bay 57 of the Sydney International Terminal. As usual, I apologise for the quality, but the weather and time of arrival were also against me on this occasion. There are quite a lot of photos, so you may have trouble seeing them if Photo-bucket decides to throw a hissy fit.
These are the links to the two A-380 discussion threads currently open in Civ-Av;
On a personal note, I think that the SQ livery with the large titles and the A-380 make a very handsome pairing! Fantastic looking in an absolute sense, and much better than the Airbus house colours.
Regards, JetMech
[Edited 2007-10-25 04:27:00]
JetMech split the back of his pants. He can feel the wind in his hair.
Peterinlisbon From Portugal, joined Jan 2006, 229 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 7 months 23 hours ago) and read 36889 times:
Fantastic photos! It really does look great in SIA colours. It is strange to see it operating as just another passenger flight after all the tests and fly bys etc. I'm looking forward to seeing it myself next year in London (and maybe even flying on it). Soon these will a common sight all over the world.
Vanguard From Solomon Islands, joined Feb 2004, 95 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (5 years 7 months 22 hours ago) and read 35993 times:
Quoting Vivekman2006 (Reply 12): Lovely view of the three aerobridges connected to the giant aircraft.
Great photos! Are the luggage pallets the standard size? They look so small in comparison with the plane!
I had wondered how they would load/unload to allow premiums off first, but also to cater for the huddled masses in economy! I guess the A bridge (not labelled but L hand one) is for First, then upper deck Business: B is for lower deck business then lower deck economy: then C is for upper deck economy?
BHXFAOTIPYYC From Portugal, joined Jun 2005, 1644 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (5 years 7 months 21 hours ago) and read 34768 times:
Excellent pictures. Funny too that on the tarmac only about 2 people look like they are doing any work, the rest are just gawping at the jet, as I would be too.
Breakfast in BHX, lunch in FAO, dinner in TIP, baggage in YYC.
Ayqzbr From Canada, joined Mar 2007, 60 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (5 years 7 months 21 hours ago) and read 34642 times:
I was at SYD watching the 380 arrive and I also noticed a very large number of staff at the gate - so were they observers or just making sure everything went smoothly. I don't expect every 380 arrival will get that amount of attention. The 380 overflew the airport some time prior to arrival but not sure everyone noticed it - it was in and out of the clouds and very quiet.
25 Khobar: Ah yes, union employees. Nice pics - glad she arrived safely.
26 RayChuang: I'm hoping that by summer 2008 this sight of a revenue flight A380 will be seen at SFO.
27 AirframeAS: What were the flight loads on these flights like?
28 Jammin: Excellent photos. Thanx for posting them so quickly. Another exciting day in the world of aviation...
30 Ktachiya: You've gotta be kidding right? A couple hundred tickets were auctioned and then the money will be given by SQ to charity and the rest were airbus emp
31 Tugger: Very nice! I never realized just how low to the ground she sits till looking at these pics and seeing how she sits on her main gear. So my big questio
32 Trent900: Thanks for posting a few photos from the flight. I hope we can read a trip report soon.. (and more pics) D.
33 VHVXB: http://www.vpmag.com/yssy/viewtopic....&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60 Some pictures and videos can be found by clicking on the link provided by th
35 ENCRJ: Which are the next scheduled flights for 9V-SKA?
36 Moriarty: Thanks for sharing those pictures, and congratulations all of you that had the privilege to be on board. Not to mention Airbus and Singapore Airlines.
37 Leezyjet: Certainly won't be at LHR. They have only installed 2 bridges on the A380 stands. Great pics. I stayed up to watch the departure live on BBC News 24
38 Msl747: x2!!!!! Truly awesome photos, thanks for sharing!
39 Lightsaber: I feel like a "duh moment" as I didn't realize SYD had gone for the three air bridges for the A380! Well done by SYD. I think the gawking effect will
40 LAXorLGWonDL: Great pics! It's great to see the A380 that close up in your pictures! Thanks for sharing.
41 Ikramerica: Thanks for the pics. Looks like they took revenue cargo on this flight? Or was it just luggage in those LDs? Hey, they do have a 24+ hour turn time on
42 CityAirline: This is simply amazing! After all the work it's finally in commercial service! Today is when it all begin, from now on we will see the A380 more and m
43 MYT321: Fantastic pics, special day....but why no RR badges on those awesome Trents ?
44 DavestanKSAN: WOW, fantastic pics, thanks for sharing them Dave
45 Thebry: These are some of the most up-close and personal shots I've seen to date of the A380. I never cease to marvel at the sheer size of the beast. I think
46 ReXie: THANKS man! Nothing but to say I LOVE THE SUPER JUMBO !
47 KELPkid: Bet you'll never see a MLG bay and landing gear bogies that clean and free of grease (barring brand-new aircraft on their delivery flight) again, Jet
48 AirframeAS: Nope. I wanted to see if they could ACTUALLY fill up that airplane to the max or not and still make a buck or two. And I didn't know that this was a
49 LHRBlueSkies: Highly unlikely, as most airlines are actually happy with 2 - L2L for F & Y pax, with U1L for J & Y... and also the cost is prohibitive at the moment
50 Alessandro: Ehh, B744 flew first time 1988. Not likely that any US carrier buys the A380.
51 Mike89406: http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article...spx?cp-documentid=428849>1=10544 Good article with photo gallaries
52 Iflyac: Seeing the A380 finally working is a great moment. She looks incredible, almost enough to make a grown aviation nut cry. Congrats Singapore and Airbus
53 Blrsea: Aren't there multiple SQ/CX/AI/LH/BA/MH/CI/TG flights from LAX/SFO to India? I think even Asiana and Eva air too offer services to India from LAX/SFO
54 797: Woah that is so absolutely stunning!!!! You were lucky to be there, congratulations! Now we must hope for this big guy to come down to CCS before the
55 Leezyjet: Umm, I'd like to see that happen at LHR !!. Our standard turn time for a B744 is 2h30 although we can do it in less than that, but certainly not in 9
57 Elliott: Also photos of the first commercial flight of Singapore Airlines (9V-SKA) are avaialbe here: http://www.airtransportnews.aero/analysis.pl?acateg=repor
58 Mortyman: Excellent video of the landing in sydney here and a guy who paid an insanne sum of money to fly high... http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2007/10/25/516
59 Ag92: Ok guys, to sum up, the flight was amazing. It was really a moment which no one will forget especially to those onboard. Today I have my return also o
60 Levg79: Too bad the pictures aren't showing anymore. Photobucket sucks.
61 Pellegrine: Great photos! (the ones I can see) That Julian Hayward guy looks fairly young, I figured he'd be some old guy...
62 Superfly: Must have been fantastic to be onboard such a historical flight. This is the biggest news in commercial aviation since the Concorde first flew. I wish
63 JetMech: G'day A' netters , Thanks for all the comments on the photos! I would dearly like to have had a better camera, but the overcast late evening condition
64 NZ107: Argh can't see any... Oh well I'm sure there'll be plenty of pics of the A380 in the future..
65 JetMech: I just went Pro with Photobucket, so you should be able to see the photos now. Regards, JetMech
66 LHR777: That's correct - if you look closely at one of the pictures, you can see the ULD numbers - it looks like AKE-98077SQ. A 'K' sized unit is an LD3, whi
67 Philzh: Superb pics, Jetmech, and even making sure we can see them by "going pro" -- very cool of you. Thanks mate! I looked at some new pics of JXB today, an
68 JetMech: No worries! I don't know if they do it on purpose, but the Photobucket site keeps you waiting for ages without confirming whether your payment has be
69 RIHNOSAUR: Good job Jetmech, I appreciate your time an effort in bringing home this event to us! Way better than any news crap that has a few bits here and there
70 United787: Does anyone know when the A380 returns to SIN? Will it begin its regular service then as I know it was only supposed to have a 2 hour turn around in S
71 Braybuddy: Great shots JetMech, and you were very lucky to be a part of aviation history. At last this amazing bird is a reality for passengers, and I look forwa
72 Cybergus: Awesome Pictures...Awesome Aircraft!! Very stuning in fact to see this aircraft in a schedule service. Finally Airbus dream came true. Good job! Tavo
73 Jfk777: What at sight at Kingsford Smith Airport, Doesn't Qantas handle Singapore Airlines at SYD any more ? When I went ot Australia they did. Sydney will be
74 Thebry: Was that really necessary? Thanks Superfly
75 OA260: There is a nice one here :::: http://news.sky.com/skynews/picture_...gallery/0,,30400-1289972-8,00.html
76 Viscount724: Unfortunately I still can't see the photos in your original posting. I just see large empty frames with a photobucket URL at the top of each. At firs
77 JetMech: If the A380 reaches the popularity and longevity of the B747, I'm sure we will all eventually get to have a ride in her! I was actually trying my har
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