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Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

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Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#41

Post by benhurmarcel »

pdm55 wrote: post #24
linuxhansl wrote: post #11

I met an Airbus test pilot once. Among other stories he told me that the A380 is one of best balanced planes out there, and apparently a joy to fly. He said even without engines he could easily land it like a glider. Now, I can't really verify what he said, but he seemed sincere. Having travelled in the A380 as passenger, I will sure miss it.

The captain of Qantas Flight 32, Richard de Crespigny, credits his first flying instructor with schooling him in "not panicking when engines are lost and you have to glide your plane". He writes about it in his account of the explosion of QF32's Rolls Royce engine which degraded 21 of the Airbus’s 22 flight systems. With the aircraft in glide-mode he built up enough functions to be able to land the aircraft. With no…

It’s a pretty common opinion in the industry that airline pilots benefit a lot from having some glider flight hours.

Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#42

Post by Havoc »

tim333 wrote: post #29

Of course it remains to be seen if they can still to that with the UK post brexit.

A380 is EOL so doesn't really matter.

Knowledge loss...maybe for very large wings. UK is mainly responsible for A380 wings. But there are Airbus (smaller) wing operations in Germany too so should be fine overall.

Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#43

Post by Havoc »

lightgreen wrote: post #14
RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #7

The A380 was a technological marvel that was built more for European pride( see our jumbo jet is bigger than yours) than for real business reasons. Nevertheless, it is a joy to fly in. (Though I do think it doesn’t look as beautiful as the 747).

> than for real business reasons Any explanations for that? Large airliners was a monopoly by Boeing, Airbus obviously wanted to cut a part of that market.

>Any explanations for that?

A380 isn't profitable.

Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#45

Post by hadrien01 »

jzwinck wrote: post #8

I highly recommend the Airbus factory tour in Toulouse, France: https://www.toulouse-visit.com/let-s-visit-airbus/blagnac/pc... They definitely don't "reveal all the secrets of the A380" (as if), but it is interesting and the facility is staggeringly large (second largest by volume and sixth by floor area in the world).

I visited the Saint-Nazaire factory two years ago. It's absolutely amazing how you go by dozens of A320, and just at the end of the tour we went by the massive A380. The difference in size at ground level is stunning.

Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#46

Post by hadrien01 »

throwaway_pdp09 wrote: post #39
iancarroll wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In terms of seats, it’s roughly the same (and some airlines have awful A380 configurations), but amenities like showers and bars are much easier on the A380 given the space constraints of other widebodies. Also IME engine noise is reduced given how far you can be from them versus a normal widebody.

"showers" - for real? Surely not, that's beyond absurd.

'Emirates A380 Shower Spa': https://www.emirates.com/english/experience/our-fleet/a380/

First class passengers get 30 minutes, including 5 minutes of running water. You can see videos of it on YouTube.

Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#47

Post by doctor_eval »

asldfhasdf2 wrote: post #44

four million parts, and one whistleblower. Let's not forget https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/a380-whist...

A very complex story from 15 years ago. There haven’t been many depressurisation incidents on the A380 and like they say in the article, why would they cover this up? Maybe the whistleblower really is just a disgruntled employee.

Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#48

Post by doctor_eval »

jzwinck wrote: post #8

I highly recommend the Airbus factory tour in Toulouse, France: https://www.toulouse-visit.com/let-s-visit-airbus/blagnac/pc... They definitely don't "reveal all the secrets of the A380" (as if), but it is interesting and the facility is staggeringly large (second largest by volume and sixth by floor area in the world).

I did the organised tour many years ago, just before the A380 was in commercial service.

But the best part was walking around and then through the Concorde on display there. That thing is amazing. Beautiful. And the wing area is insane.

Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#49

Post by cancerSpreads »

onetimemanytime wrote: post #5
prithvi24 wrote: post #3

This reminds me of the f-35. I find it absolutely insane that a mix of tax incentives can lead to this inefficient mess involving custom built ships and airplanes. Wonder how much this supply chain dynamic ends up adding to the cost of the a380 in aggregate

On the other hand, it's such a massive employer (directly or indirectly funded by tax dollars) so everyone says, why shouldn't we have a piece too?

Government employment is not necessarily beneficial. It's not governed by economics.

You can have completely useless roles exist for hundreds of years.

Skilled or unskilled labor is better in the private sector for everyone's sake.

Re: Four million parts, 30 countries: How an Airbus A380 comes together (2018)

#50

Post by som33 »

cancerSpreads wrote: post #49
onetimemanytime wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the other hand, it's such a massive employer (directly or indirectly funded by tax dollars) so everyone says, why shouldn't we have a piece too?

Government employment is not necessarily beneficial. It's not governed by economics. You can have completely useless roles exist for hundreds of years. Skilled or unskilled labor is better in the private sector for everyone's sake.

>It's not governed by economics.

Except economics as you are taught it is bullshit, the rich have always taken state subsidies regardless of "economics".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHj2GaPuEhY

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