the a388 is not the most beautiful a/c out there, but at least it's not as horrendous looking compared to the 747sp... that bloody thing is so FUUUUGGGGLLLYYYY. i'm so happy that the sp didn't succeed like the 744s. i also find the 767-200 is so ugly next to her sister (or is it cousin?) the 757-200, which is probably one of the most beautiful birds out there! too bad that sia dumped our 757s in favour of the a310s before i joined sq  .

Quoting A319114 (Reply 49): Afterall, it are the Americans coming up with ridiculious names for a fine plane and it is the American government whining about European loans to Airbus.

        

Oh please, save it. Like it has said over and over, and you obviously chose to ignore, this has nothing to do with whether it is a "fine plane" or not. I have come to the conclusion that you people have absolutely zero sense of humor. It is impossible to argue with you because you just avoid the question of the A380's appearance and start talking bullshit about European and American pride. You must know the plane is fugly, since you have completely avoided the topic.

Harry

Quoting AeroVodochody (Reply 18): My two favorites are SkyCow and "Tiny"

Yeah, we could name it like Lil John (He's 7 feet tall!). "Tiny" sounds good to me!
Now I'll crawl back into my little cozy hole... 

Trey in TVI

What happened to WhaleJet? That seems to be cropping up in posts these days.

BTW, I'm not bashing A. While I think the A380 is unattractive I've lots of respect for Airbus's consistency of visions and perseverance over the years to get the behemoth launched, and I'm excited about riding it someday.

Quoting A319114 (Reply 49): Afterall, it are the Americans coming up with ridiculous names for a fine plane and it is the American government whining about European loans to Airbus. Talking about not pretty...

Very well said! I agree.

It's just that the EU likes spending money at creating jobs (airbus etc..) and the US invests the same amount at security ( Banning KLM etc etc..)

KL911

[Edited 2005-04-17 00:18:04]

Quoting KL911 (Reply 10): OMG......... The 380 must be a big success if you look at al those jealous American posts. It looks like they admit that the days of the 747 are over as 'queen of the skies'.......

KL911:

Why can't you take this as simple humor? You were the first post to hint an America vs. Europe debate about the issue.

I think the 747 will *always* be the queen of the skies, regardless of who built it. I think that A380 is a technological marvel, but she is definitely not as good looking. I can't wait until she flies. She looks ready...

Grootjes,

fabio777

Quoting Fabio777 (Reply 55): Why can't you take this as simple humor? You were the first post to hint an America vs. Europe debate about the issue.

No I didn't. I reacted to the 3 or 4 posts before me, all very silly anti A380.
They can have their opinion, but if the same persons repeat it every 5 minutes, without adding anything useful, then I have to react... Sorry.

KL911

When I originally saw the suggestion "Skycow" or "Manatee" I thought they were great names for the 380. I was kind of disappointed (but not surprised) at how quickly certain people turned on the suggestions and were insulted by them.

I think cultural differences are apparent on here. We Americans look at degrading monikers as a sign of affection whereas the rest of the world (or perhaps just in Europe) views monikers that are degrading as insults.

Several posts up someone pointed out that our A-10 is referred to as a "Warthog" and I know that the B-52 is referred to as a "BUFF" (Big Ugly Fat F***). Yet, in our culture, those are terms of endearment. Ask any of our aviators who fly those aircraft and they will tell you that they actually love them and the names that they go by.

So to our friends across the pond, we're actually in love with your most recent aviation product and I think everyone of us, to a person, looks forward to the day when we can see and fly her in person and we all hope she is a success (what better way to get Boeing to make a competing product??). And now that A has overtaken B as the world's largest commercial aircraft producer, start acting the part by acting a little more confident in yourselves and less insecure like the underdogs that you once were.

"Airboss" is quiet suitable!

Enjoy the new name.  

Airboss - what a stupid name.

It's an Airbus - if anything was the 'Airboss' it would be the 747. Don't get me wrong, I think the A380 is a marvel of modern day technology but it hasn't proved itself yet.

The 747 is the 'AirBoss' - period.

An American post w/o anti-Airbus or A380 smash & bash. Airbus is a terrific company that has accomplished much in a short history. The thing I am grateful for is that A has kept Boeing from becoming too complacent and obviously vice a versa. I often wonder what this site would be like if say Lockheed was still producing commercial ac. Would my fellow Americans be so negative quite so often towards A if they instead had another domestic co. to beat up on? We really do eat our own here. Look no further than Ford/GM/Chrysler owners who would rather buy an import than switch to another domestic brand (me, I gave up on domestic vehicles long ago).

Ciao for now.. K

Quoting RedFlyer (Reply 57): I think cultural differences are apparent on here

I think you nailed it RedFlyer.

747, sometimes referred to as "Fat Albert," or "Hog"

fabio777

Quoting Newark777 (Reply 29): Here's something to ponder: Have you ever stopped to think that the A380 is indeed ugly?

With respect to what??     

Had a group of people become so familiar with or gotten used to one type of object (and you can expand that to any or many categories), once something new comes along, they judge against what they are used to. Hardly objective. It is difficult for people to inform themselves on things they do not agree with in any respect unless they are looking for reasons to confirm their first-impressions and it does not take much.

In other words, ignorance fuels their opinions.

How can anyone sit there and insist their 'opinion' is somehow widespread such that people are in denial by not coming out and saying it, that they have chosen to stand ground against your insistence just to make you wonder?!

In my life experience, a vast majority of 'opinions' I have heard are primarily based on the lack of knowledge on a subject or noun. They claim they have heard enough, but they have not really heard anything. The reality is that most people have already made a decision on the matter, so everything else does little to change their decision, hence they do not need to know anything else. Like they were looking for a quick way out. I am willing to bet that most of those that claimed A380 is ugly have felt that way from the beginning and needed to justify the opinion: The first pictures of it unfinished last year were opportunistic scapegoats. First impressions stick.

70% of people are guilty of making most of their decisions first before really thinking about it -- this is a human psychological fact -- it is called FEAR. That said; I expand the definition of fear to the behaviors/emotions I have seen in people. Something causes you to fear something hence you react in the psychological equivalent of self-defense such as anger, jealousy, hate, bitterness, resentment, ignorance; all of which are caused by fear.

This insistence that A380 is ugly is not an informed/personal opinion, humans characterize via comparison, if it is truly, and aesthetic then you are simply used to what is out there. One can also fear the impact that the plane will have on tradition, just like those that hate the features of 787 that make it animal like. Just like those who want to see new things fly but fear it will always look like this, and they will die knowing it...we all fear the future.

Before anyone thinks this post is unrelated...Of all the student pilots at my school, all of them do not see the point of A380, think it is ugly and that Airbus is crappy. Of those that were my suitemates and roommates, I asked them how they thought that way, most replied with the heaviest amounts of misinformation I have ever heard. However, I know where these opinions came from. Most like Boeing/Lockheed airplanes most are used to the control column rather than side stick due to learning to fly on a Cessna 172, which is probably the primary reason. Those that do not grow up to fly for a legacy airline want to fly soon-to-be retired/replaced planes in the Air Force -- this is the secondary reason, nationalism.

It has been my experience simply being on Airliners.net for almost four years and having been going to an aerospace college that aviation people in general are traditionalists and can naturally become extremists who will try to maintain that tradition -- fear of change.

IMO, if any one of you reading this deny or fail to recognize your fears, you're either too proud or too stupid.

Quoting Daedaeg (Reply 23): What I learned from the A380 is how Europeans have so easily attached their national identity to a metal tube with wings. How sad. Certainly there other great things to be proud of. Or perhaps not?

 

You have grouped up those European members on this network with all of Europe, they do not represent their country! Niether does any member from any country on this network! Who are you to make that judgement?

Second, this country (USA) was behind metal tubes that went into space 30 years ago, were they sad too? People nowadays cheerish their cars, I-pods, CD collections, Bibles, flags, etc -- are they all sad for placing national identity on an inanimate object? If so, I wanna see you tell them that and win the ensuing argument...

Next time try applying your opinions about others to yourself first.

[Edited 2005-04-17 01:34:46]

--What I learned from the A380 is how Europeans have so easily attached their national identity to a metal tube with wings. How sad. Certainly there other great things to be proud of. Or perhaps not?--

Great post. I have to concur that we Americans dont tie our identity into a plane. It is also ridiculous to say the 747 is no longer the quees of the skies. But I gues Germany was proud of the Hindenburg too. Point being, how could anyone compare a untested plane to a well known success? This has become so anti-american it is sad, I feel like our hand is forced to reply. You got roughly a dozen countries trying to compete with one, good for you, you made it a competition....... in one industry. I dont even think the A380 is ugly, its size/ flaps/ wings make it a wonder to look at, but a 747..not yet, maybe one day but not yet. Sometimes our friends accross the pond get a little jumpy these days, but if we truly as a nation (government, people) truly wanted Boeing to slap Airbus down it would happen. But to end they do have other things to be proud of...........ummmm....Im thinking.....they have great protestors.......hmmmm....oh got it....the Chunnel

Quoting Newark777 (Reply 51): You must know the plane is fugly, since you have completely avoided the topic.

Actually, I can say in all honesty that I like the looks of the A380. Sure, it isn't the most beautiful bird in the sky (that title goes to the B757 and/or A330 series, IMHO), but it has it charms (for instance, the tail section looks beautiful, as does everything apart from its nose, which indeed is that pretty) and calling it fugly is an overstatement, I think.
Point is that I have no problem with you guys making some jokes about the plane, but it's is getting very, very, very tiresome right now. Telling the same joke time after time isn't funny, it's annoying.

Quoting Lehpron (Reply 62):

This is by far the best post in this thread and the most constructive post I've seen in weeks on a.net. I welcome you to my RR.

Quoting RODNAWACS (Reply 63): I have to concur that we Americans dont tie our identity into a plane

You really don't know a thing about Europeans if you think that 'we' attach our national identity to a plane. I don't know what's FOX is trying to tell you there on the other side of the pond, but as I stated earlier most Europeans couldn't care less about the A380 or Airbus. The reason why it got so much coverage was because Airbus is a symbol of European co-operation, and that is something to celebrate and be proud of...

Quoting Newark777 (Reply 16): Same with the people who start a thread and get off every time the A380 performs a taxi test. I'm waiting for the next thread title, "A380 seen sitting doing nothing - Pictures included!"

LMAO, ROTFL!   

Quoting KL911 (Reply 10): OMG......... The 380 must be a big success if you look at al those jealous American posts. It looks like they admit that the days of the 747 are over as 'queen of the skies'.......

Blanket "American" statement once again. . .not very smart. . .and quite childish in this forum.


Getting back to aviation. . .

Also, I'd say the 747 will retain it's 'queen of the skies' title, while the A380 must earn it's own title, in due time of course. . .but, heck, she hasn't even parted from the ground yet. . .give her some time.

[Edited 2005-04-17 01:58:29]

Quoting Newark777 (Reply 46): Amen! We need to all ride around in our dildos and Skycows in peace, and learn to get along. Harry

Welcome to my RR list Harry!!

I can't believe that all the American posters love to make fun of the A380. This shows how insecure you Americans are and as someone said you like to create enemies when you got nothing to do.

You associated the A380 with all sorts of weird names. Before that, think about the stupid names you guys invent...For example...French Toast (or Fries) became Freedom Toast (or Fries) and guess what's next...French Kiss becomes Freedom Kiss...

Come on guys, appreciate the fact that Airbus has taken the initiative to create history in aviation. Unlike Boeing which still can't figure out whether there is a market for high capacity long haul aircrafts.

[Edited 2005-04-17 02:50:19]

How about "mannabus"?

hmm...(playing the neutral swiss now...)
to get back on the topic;
I think "the double decker" will be a succes under the normal people!
(not us; the aviation freaks!)

My name contribution is Airbubble. Seems to fit quite well to me.

Quoting Ralgha (Reply 3): Skycow

Like it!

Quoting Flytorben (Reply 45):

I couldn't agree more. Yes, the A380 is a big, huge, fat ugly f****r. It doesn't have the beautiful perfectly in-proportion look of the 747, but the A380 is an airplane and because of that, I love it in exactly the same way as I love the 777, Fokker 100, MD-11, DC-9, 737, ERJ 145, and in fact anything else with two wings that flys, regardless of where it's made!

As for the title of Queen Of The Skies, for me there will only ever be one original Queen and that's the B747. For 35 years the 747 has ferried millions of people around the globe, and in my mind it can't be stripped of this title simply because the A380 is bigger. I think a new title altogether should be thought up for the A380!

Regardless of how the A380 is in it's physical appearance, it takes commercial aviation to a scale never seen before, and I for one can't wait to witness it.  

Lephron that has got to be the longest convoluted drivel I've read on this site.
First off I've always defended the technical merits of this aircraft. And as an aeronautical engineer I hate when people say she won't fly because she's too big. However, I realize that people say that out of pure ignorance. But that's not what this is about. This is about appearance. So what if people, American or not think it's an ugly beast. Many of my European colleagues don't find her aesthically pleasing either and have called it far worse names than I've read on this site. Personally she don't look bad to me.
The Beluga and even worse, the 747 LCF are ugly beast. But at the end of the day it's just an opinion and nothing to get so worked up about. God forbid if something were to happen during its maiden flight, some of you people wouldn't be able to live on. That's just sad.

[Edited 2005-04-17 03:31:31]

Quoting PMN (Reply 73): As for the title of Queen Of The Skies, for me there will only ever be one original Queen and that's the B747. For 35 years the 747 has ferried millions of people around the globe, and in my mind it can't be stripped of this title simply because the A380 is bigger. I think a new title altogether should be thought up for the A380!

I'am a big A380 fan,but you are absolutely right on this!
Every newbie needs to earn it's place!
The 747 is already a big legend!

Maybe for now the "(experimental) king of the sky"

since a king is by far less attractive as a queen to me!   

">>AIRBOSS<<
I think that name fits really to the A 380."

No disrespect intended for the A380 but that's a HORRIBLE nickname; even worse perhaps, than "Dreamliner" for the 787. It appears the respective monikers both came out of naming contests, the 787's was on AOL and this one was on the radio, likely demonstrating that such contests probably aren't the best way to select a popular name for a new airliner. They should have gone back to their list of choices after picking this turkey but perhaps the alternate selections weren't great shakes, either.

Quoting Backfire (Reply 35): Surely 'hydrodynamic'?

Same thing as the Atmosphere is just a less dense sea of air. Works just like an ocean as well, just lighter....

The A380 is indeed ugly and Mark why put Newark777 in the same category as some other memebers who just bash airbus to death?

I thought the queen of the sky was a connie?
Now that is a beautifull aircraft!

Quoting SWISSER (Reply 79): I thought the queen of the sky was a connie?

I think just about every a/c type has been referred to "The Queen of the Sky"

I've heard the Concorde, L1011, DC10, 707, Comet and 737 called it in books, magazines and on TV.

It's not an official title given to the 747, it's just an opinion.

Cheers,
Patrick

Hi Patrick!

Well I think still the connie was first to recieve the name with honors before all those you mentioned!

Indeed it is an opinion!

Quoting JetWay (Reply 70): I can't believe that all the American posters love to make fun of the A380. This shows how insecure you Americans are and as someone said you like to create enemies when you got nothing to do.

Quoting DIA (Reply 68): Blanket "American" statement once again. . .not very smart. . .and quite childish in this forum.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Would everyone please grow up and quit judging entire populations of countries just because of what you hear one person say?   

IT can't fly! lets call it like it is.... this lard bucket looks like the really fat girl you took to the prom in that way to small dress that was to make her look normal! Just watching the way it tilts and flexes on the take off/stop roll test sends up red flags aplenty! single slotted flaps on a structure like this? and look at that lonely tail, a mile high and razor thin.....SNAP! what the hell was that sound? the real name should be "Der Hendenburg II"

Quoting Nsfguy (Reply 83): IT can't fly! lets call it like it is.... this lard bucket looks like the really fat girl you took to the prom in that way to small dress that was to make her look normal! Just watching the way it tilts and flexes on the take off/stop roll test sends up red flags aplenty! single slotted flaps on a structure like this? and look at that lonely tail, a mile high and razor thin.....SNAP! what the hell was that sound? the real name should be "Der Hendenburg II"

Hmm...Another highly intelligent, well thought out reply...  

[Edited 2005-04-17 04:31:31]

I like the name "Bubba" The Orange Braniff 747 was called 'Fat Albert' and the 'Great Pumpkin'

Its amazing how a simple nick-name thread turns into a Boeing vs Airbus debate. Maybe we should s this discussion elsewhere, something original: Let's see ... hmnmm, does anyone know when NWA is retiring their DC-9s and what replacements they are considering?

To our European friends. Not all of us here in the USA wish the A380 to be a failure and or loath her or like to talk about the program in a negative way. I have been watching the A380 program from the beginning with great interest. I have my bottle of champagne ready for the first flight. I find her to be a lovely aircraft. The A380's lines had to grow on me, but in the end I fell in love with the A380 and her design.

I just wanted to let our European friends know that not everyone in America hopes the program fails. My family is from Herefordshire, England originally. So, in a small way I feel like the A380 is partly mine as well. I guess that European blood runs thick?   

I have never really understood the loathsome negativity I have seen concerning the A380 and many Americans. Perhaps someone could define the problem for me? Now as far as the 380 ever being the "Queen of the Skies". No, sorry I disagree. That honour belongs to the 747, she has had decades to earn the title. The A380 will earn its own title in time, but I think "King of the Skies" is more fitting. The A380 is more of a "He" than a "She" to me."

Kind Regards.

Piedmontnut

Galagapop--and Mark why put Newark777 in the same category as some other memebers who just bash airbus to death?


Assuming you mean me here, naw Harry seems basically okay (somewhat, er, "categorical" at times now that you mention it, but no biggie   )

And "AirCow" --complete with nautical cousin pic -- is kinda funny, just as "AirBoss" may indeed sound better in a German-language context than its admittedly-sort-of-over-the-top sound and appearance in English instead. (to say nothing of it being unmerited as well, without so much as even having seen a first flight yet).

I wish a lot of the other A380-critiquing posts would similarly have at least a modicum of humour attached as well -- but hey can't have everything I guess. Sure would make 'em easier to wade through!

The name "jumbo" jet comes because jumbo is associated with big and in the 50´s in the USA all cartoons always depicted elephants with the name "jumbo", so when it came to name the 747 "jumbo " is a word that fitted perfectly to such a BIG airplane and of course phonetically "jumbo Jet" sounds cool...

The 380 looks like a whale and in my opinion since a big whale is bigger than an elephant
whale jet is a fitting name but sounds terrible phonetically so my idea is calling it the Minke jet why?:



see?

I was just thinking... Isn't "Airboss" the title of an Officer on a US aircraft carrier? Doesn't he direct the flight operations of the carrier's airwing or something?

Oops. Thread jacking...   

I love the A380 (Back on topic)

Just got home, glad to see this thread still going strong.  

Now, the first thing I have to clear up is that the A380 has not quite reached fugly status. That status is reserved for the Rosie Odonnells and Rosannes of the world. The A380 is more like that fat cousin you have who needs a nose job. You poke fun at her, but in the end you still love her. The A380 will be no beauty queen like the A330's and 757's, or long and slender like the A340's. But it will find its own niche as our beloved skycow, or whatever you want to call it, that lumbering behemoth we love to fight about.   

Harry

[Edited 2005-04-17 05:26:22]

Quoting Galapagapop (Reply 78): Same thing as the Atmosphere is just a less dense sea of air. Works just like an ocean as well, just lighter....

Ahem. Not quite, good sir. Water is generally incompressible, and air is very compressible. At high Mach numbers, they behave *quite* differently.

How about calling the A380 the "Flying F**k" as I can't imagine ANYONE at either Airbus OR Boeing gives one over the idiotic, juvenile squabbling that goes on in these forums.

In the meantime, not that anyone at A or B will read it, how about some of these to stimulate discussion other than, how "INSERT PERJORATIVE HERE" those "INSERT NATIONALITY HERE" are?

Titanium Dawn
The Pearl of Europe
"Something" Mariner (Grande Mariner/Global Mariner/Strato-Mariner)
Seafarer
Titan (no, not Titanic)
Condor/Kondor
Andromeda
City in the Sky

What's French for "cattle car"?

I await the flames...

Somewhere in A.net there was a similar thread. I think the winner of the naming thread was "Shrek."

Fellow Airliner fans from Europe.. Please take all of this name calling with a shrug. It means nothing. All of us here, even those who go on name calling sprees cannot wait to see the 380 fly and become a success.

We are just engaged in verbal jousting very similar to what many Europeans engage in when they talk about their neighboring countries. 

iwok

No matter what we call it, it is impressive and will be a sight to see where ever it goes.

When it takes to the skies, you know for the controllers will already have a nick-name ... I still like "Fat Ass"

I can hear them at JFK now ... "American 45, caution wake-turbulence, heavy Fat Ass over the numbers: Cleared to land 13 left"

Quoting Osteogenesis (Reply 21): A380 = The product that showed me the mentality of many Americans

Not really. Just a handful of children here.

Quoting Osteogenesis (Reply 21): It also shoed me that this forum is full of people that don't really love aviation.

You are correct about that. At very least they have forgotten why we come to this place. I've got reasons for being a little upset with some Europeans and Airbus but that is not why I'm here. Love of aviation in general and airliners and travel in particular are what we need to be about.

Quoting RedFlyer (Reply 57): I think cultural differences are apparent on here. We Americans look at degrading monikers as a sign of affection whereas the rest of the world (or perhaps just in Europe) views monikers that are degrading as insults.

Don't disagree with the sentiment, Redflyer, but it might not be cultural difference at issue here. The Brits are past masters at taking the mick out of themselves.
It becomes different when OTHER people come up with the derogatory. I suspect that this is the same the world over.

Took 30 minutes to read this thread, and I'm sure all the posts have been cut and pasted from previous threads - depressingly familiar.

Harry,
I think your comparison with the Manatee is hilarious... I'm from Scotland though!

I'm excited about the 380 but it's takes a lot to beat the big but graceful lines of a 744 for me.

John

I will have to agree with the Europeans on this one... guys of my side of the pond certainly seem to have at least some animosities towards Airbus's newest creation. I think at first the Airbus A380 was an aquired taste in terms of asthetics. We are all so used to the 747's "hump", but I think in the end the A380 follows very closely with Airbus' highly complex asthetic/aerodynamic curves that are quite typical in its aircraft lines especially in the A32X, A330, and A340 series. I find Airbus jets to be more exciting than Boeing in terms of asthetics. Boeing jets tend to be very square and exibit geometric simplicity (I dare anyone to try to draw a tyical Boeing jet with squares, rectangles and triangles... I can almost guarentee that your simplest drawing will look very much like the Boeing jet you set out to draw). The aforementioned exercise would not be able to produce a recognizable Airbus jet.

I think trying to make the A380 look more like the 747 with a higher cockpit would in actuality make it look very hideous. I think the A380 is a beautiful aircraft, the following picture is proof of that.

View Large View Medium

Photo © French Frogs AirSlides

However, I feel that Boeing jets to have strong points in terms of traditional, robust, durable aircraft design especially in its 737 series.

BTW, She is the "Empress of the Skies"

Well, you are now free to ignor this message of reason and return to your bickering.

[Edited 2005-04-17 11:07:31]

Quoting Newark777 (Reply 51): Oh please, save it. Like it has said over and over, and you obviously chose to ignore, this has nothing to do with whether it is a "fine plane" or not. I have come to the conclusion that you people have absolutely zero sense of humor. It is impossible to argue with you because you just avoid the question of the A380's appearance and start talking bullshit about European and American pride. You must know the plane is fugly, since you have completely avoided the topic.

Calling the aircraft ugly in every 2 posts on A.net and saying it won't sell, every time people are talking about it has nothing to do with humor. Every topic that is posted about the aircraft is a bashing post at the end. Being so stupid and naive to talk about humor at this point.....I haven't seen many B787 bashing posts around A.net.....wonder why?