The War has begun for the skies...

**Ramius** · 28th April 2005, 17:34

Now, as we may all know, I can't ride a motorcycle. So, I have to now pursue my next favourite thing, well actually, don't tell anyone, but it is actually my favourite thing, and that is flying. I figure this, if I can't ride a motorcycle and some foolish bastard gave me a licence to fly an aeroplane, then why not.

Anyway, with great intent, I have been following the footsteps of Airbus' new A380 model. What an impressive display, and she got to fly for the first time yesterday after several days of ground tests.
With this model now having over 140 orders with still a year to go before commercial operations, Boeing are trying to rush through their new Mid range Carrier, the 7E7, or as it has now been dubbed the 787 Dreamliner. The A380 has several key advantages over this, for one, its only competitor is the Boeing 747-400ER model, however, Airbus claims that it has a 13% better fuel efficiency over the Boeing, and as it can hold more people it will be more attractive on the long haul trips. Comfort is another thing which is getting aimed for. It has been rumoured that Virgin Atlantic are looking to set theirs up with double bed/Chair things.
Boeing are quick to dispel the claims by Airbus that this is going to lead Aviation into a new direction. Boeing claim that there is no longer a need for such large long range craft. However, looking at the airports resizing for the new Airbus, I, myself would say they were wrong. The last figure I saw was that about 2 dozen airports were getting fitted to handle the new craft, and that Auckland was looking to do it in the short term future.
Moving along from all that, and for those that give a toss to answer, who do you think is going to win this battle, Airbus or Boeing?
And I know there will be some of you out there thinking...

**Hitcher** · 28th April 2005, 17:43

Yup. You could get a few bikes in one of those, for sure.

**John** · 28th April 2005, 17:46

I was watching the coverage on BBC last night, pretty interesting - just like they say, noise, and airport conditions and stuff might cause a problem...

And since they banked everything on this it may be a problem?..

**Ramius** · 28th April 2005, 17:46

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Yup. You could get a few bikes in one of those, for sure.

Allegedly according to one source, you can fit 7 English double decker buses in it. That is certainly a lot of motorcycles then...

Enough room to have your seat and your bike next to you. Even better, have a flying motorcycle workshop!

**Ramius** · 28th April 2005, 17:50

Originally Posted by John

I was watching the coverage on BBC last night, pretty interesting - just like they say, noise, and airport conditions and stuff might cause a problem...

And since they banked everything on this it may be a problem?..

You might be able to tell I am an advocate for Airbus, I just think their Fly-by-wire systems are great, and their planes look damn sexxxy. Anyway, as for being a problem? I don't really think so, the noise would probably be comparable to a 747 as both have 4 engines, it just so happens the A380 one's are bigger. Airport conditions, well, that is gonna be 100's of millions of dollars to get the airports up to standard as each skybridge is at a cost of 1 Million NZD.
The whole project has been about 13Billion and 1.4 Billion over budget with several countries pitching in. But with orders for 149 planes at a list price of 200 - 218 million each, I don't see it being to much of a problem. One source at Airbus said they had already made their money back on it.

**sAsLEX** · 28th April 2005, 17:57

from a drunken discussion held in shads.......

I am pretty sure that they are already upgrading the runways for the new aircraft at auckland, one of the main things they needed to do was widen everything like the taxi ways so the jet wash would catch the grass on fire or somethng like that, maybe turning circle related

**Ramius** · 28th April 2005, 18:12

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

from a drunken discussion held in shads.......

I am pretty sure that they are already upgrading the runways for the new aircraft at auckland, one of the main things they needed to do was widen everything like the taxi ways so the jet wash would catch the grass on fire or somethng like that, maybe turning circle related

Apart from the taxi way/runway the biggest thing they need to do is increase the size of the terminal, as this is a two story plane they need to add more sky bridges to cope with getting everybody off. And alter the inside to deal with the increase in passenger per plane numbers. Its a huge undertaking, and is at considerable cost to whomever pays the bills for the airports.

From the Auckland Airport website:

Runway work to commence at Auckland Airport
As part of Auckland International Airport's ongoing programme to maintain the runway and taxiway system, the airport company will shortly replace a significant section of the main runway.

This civil engineering project involves replacement of a segment of the mid-section of the main runway. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Auckland Airport will also widen a section of the main runway by 7.5 metres down either side as part of the airport's preparations for the Airbus A380. This runway shoulder is not load-bearing, but is to accommodate the large aircraft's wider engine overhang. The widening work will be completed during the next (and final) runway rehabilitation project in 2006.
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**GNR** · 28th April 2005, 18:36

im learin to fly, ive got 16 hours, and payin $75 an hour

**Hitcher** · 28th April 2005, 18:41

Originally Posted by GNR

im learin to fly, ive got 16 hours, and payin $75 an hour

Pah! I could teach you to fly for half that, AND throw in spelling, punctuation and grammar tuition as well...

**WINJA** · 28th April 2005, 19:01

AMAZING STUFF, DID YOU SEE THE FOOTAGE OF THE ENGINE TEST WHEN THEY THREW FROZEN CHICKENS THRU TO SIMULATE BIRD STRIKE , THE JET DIDNT EVEN MISS A BEAT

**GSVR** · 28th April 2005, 19:28

All I can say is imagine being the last person of the plane and having 799 people ahead of you waiting to go through customs and find their baggage.

Flying first class on it might be good. Sitting in the spa bath drinking champagne. But who flys first class?

**StoneChucker** · 28th April 2005, 19:56

Originally Posted by GNR

im learin to fly, ive got 16 hours, and payin $75 an hour

Same, but I've taken a short respite while I gather funds for the last half of my licence. If memory serves I have 25 hrs, although my hourly rate is a fair amount more than yours!

So.... gone SOLO yet?????

**Coyote** · 28th April 2005, 20:05

I wonder how the 'Aurora' Black project is going

Awesome site this: http://wave.prohosting.com/aurora85/

**TwoSeven** · 28th April 2005, 21:26

Europe will beat everyone... They have EADS.. and they make all the US mil. equip.

**MikeL** · 28th April 2005, 22:36

Airbus?? Can't be any good... Most of it is French, isn't it? How can croissant-munching, garlic-reeking, wine-besotted cowardly defeatists produce anything worthwhile??