A380 to make first flight this Wednesday!

Damn my meeting ran over and I missed it all [:0]

*frantically tries to find internet website that hasn't maxed out and is still showing it*

quote:Originally posted by pixuk
Still watching it on Sky News active & the live feed from Airbus.com

Pete

[Pete]

Real Media feed from Airbus is here:
http://www.airbus.com/A380/Seeing/live/video/live.rm

Pete

[Bazz]

Thanks Pete. Nice pic of the hanger

[Bazz]

Anyone know when she is due to land?

[Pete]

Looks like Airbus are repeating the whole prep for take off thing until she comes back into land.

I heard there was a chase plane transmitting video too, but can't find any footage. Maybe that's gone tech, since you'd think Airbus would be feeding it.

EuroNews (Sky 528) appear to be repeating the take off throughout the morning.

Pete

[preiffer]

I wonder if any of the RLM & other tracking sites are able to show it's route, live? Anyone got any info on it's flight plan / timings?

[preiffer]

quote:Originally posted by Bazz
What was the reason for the gear down Wolves, there was no commentary on the net?

From PPrune.org:

According to the comments of one of the test pilots on Sky, ( great coverage) the plan is to fly for the first half hour at least with the gear and flaps down, and at that stage, they make a decision if it's go or no go for the remainder of the plan of the day. If it's go, then he suggested that's the point where things like flaps and gear will be retracted, but only when they are comfortable with the handling characteristics so far. Reason he gave is that if they have any sort of problem, the aircraft is already in landing configuration, so it's not such an issue to get it back on the ground again.

[Pete]

Those spotters on a.net don't hang about;

Photos:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=825947

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=825948

[preiffer]

quote:Originally posted by pixuk


http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=825948

I see the little VS logo (with other initial airlines) just under the lower level of windows, at the front

[Bazz]

Thanks Preiffer, that is much what I thought.

Thanks for the links Pete, when do you think the first pic will be posted on V-Flyer?

Got to go out now so will probably miss the live landing, oh well...

Think the wheels being down was just a test of the drag and all that technical stuff. Sure this is the BBC speculating, but sounds about right to me.

Jeez! How quick is A.net!!!! [:0]

Dean

[fozzyo]

I'm always amazed just how slow the planes seem to move when they take off. It does look amazing though, can't wait to see the first one in VS Colours.

Just looking at some of the video's on the airbus site, the internatl pre-flight video really shows just how large it is inside. Didn't realise it was that spacious, obviously that is without all the toilets, galleys, eats, decor and stuff. But still rather large.

Foz xx

well wont be too long til we see this then!

[Bazz]

Just been watching live footage from the chase plane on the link that Pete posted... WOW does she look good or what.

She looks really graceful in the air, not a bit like the bulbous shape we have been looking at during contruction.

I think I may have found a replacement girlfriend for when my beloved 747 retires [:X] can't wait to fly her!

[Bazz]

Just listened to part of the first voice transmission and it would appear that they are due to return to TLS at 14:00 local for a planned landing on runway 32, so set your alarms!

[Pete]

The gear is down again - so landing must be soon!

It really is quite big, isn't it (!). WOuld be interested to know from you buffs, while I am sure some cargo planes can carry more load, is this the largest in terms of body size, etc?

99

Thanks for keeping us 'workers' up to date guys.

I have very limited access from the office but it's been great to read your comments and know it's looking good.

S

[preiffer]

It's on it's way in - in sight of the airport. Lookin' good... [8D]

[preiffer]

Nope - they were teasing, it's just flown over the airport and gone around again. (Pilots must be having fun!)

[Bazz]

So was that fly past planned or did she have to abort the first attempt? It certainly looked like she was coming in, you could see the angle of the aircraft change as the crew re-applied the throttles and her nose pitched up a couple of degrees.

Coming in for a second time now.

[preiffer]

Landed, stopped - pretty perfect flight from what we could see.


Imagine the pressure on those pilots...!

[Bazz]

Safely down, looked like a text book landing!

[preiffer]

In looking at the video, the cockpit windows seem to be half-way between the upper and lower deck rows of passenger windows.


So... is the cockpit door on the upper deck, or the lower deck? I THINK it's on the lower deck, but I can't be sure from that video.


Not critically important, it's just one thing that's now bugging me (sad, I know)...

[Bazz]

Cockpit is on the lower deck unlike the 747