Airbus A380 - Melbourne - November, Monday 14th

[MHD]

That thing is amazing.,....

[kipper]

That thing scares me. Talk about a meat wagon. It's so obvious that every airline is going to cram it with seats. Imagine boarding/disembarking that thing, it's bad enough on a jumbo. ROWS 190-200, ROWS 180-190....you get the picture.

[PiroStitch]

That thing is HUGE They said it was big, but I never expected it to be THAT big....

[kinetic]

According to the Airbus website the A380 seats 555 passengers.
The take off weight for the first ever flight was 421 tonnes.

Currently, Airbus has orders for about 150 A380's, but they will need to sell 300 of them to break even on their investment, and about 500 to achieve a commercial rate of return.

More pics courtesy of airbus website:

[Manta]

That thing scares me. Talk about a meat wagon. It's so obvious that every airline is going to cram it with seats. Imagine boarding/disembarking that thing, it's bad enough on a jumbo. ROWS 190-200, ROWS 180-190....you get the picture.

There's another factor to consider here and that is the extra features that can be put into such a behemoth. We're expecting the traditionally numbers-oriented airlines to pack it to the gunnels but the other end of the market will also be looking at what they can introduce in the way of bars/theatres/double beds/soccer fields and the like to give themselves an edge over the competition. Not all companies will want to fill the thing to it's 100% passenger capacity but, instead, use it a testbed for configurations and designs they have, up until now, been unable to cater for with normal aircraft size. We see this currently with some airlines catering for the smaller size of their normal passengers and their tolerance of being packed in like sardines. Americans and Australians, however, simply won't cop it.

Apart from comfort on board, nobody wants to be standing in processing queues for extra hours due to nearly twice as many passengers arriving per aircraft landing. Our terminals just can't handle that.

[birddog114]

Make sure it's sound and safe otherwise it'll be a luxury coffin for 500 pax.

[Heath Bennett]

There is an extended version in the making/planning according to the website that will take well over 600 passengers:

"and the stretched, 656 seat, A380-900"

More info:

http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=29

[gstark]

Technically Melbourne was the first A380 ready airport in Aus.

Hey guys ... back off. We are NOT into pissing contests of any kind here.

[birddog114]

Then it'll be a luxury coffin for 600 pax, if the Airbus is not right or up to the max. safety standard.

And early morning arrival of International Airlines with those big bellies will stuff up the arrival terminals same as delaying all thru the processes.

Say 20 flights arrival at the early hour in Sydney International Terminal with 20 Airbus 380.

I'd swim across oceans and continents, is more faster then standing on the queue after a long flight coming back from Europe or North America

[leek]

If you think that's big, then take a look at the Beluga, the transporter plane that Airbus uses to move fuselage sections around between the various factories in Europe:
http://www.plane-spotting.de/Beluga_1.jpg

If that can fly, then I'm sure that the A380 will be fine...

[MHD]

hahaha! That is the funniest looking thing!

[leek]

hahaha! That is the funniest looking thing!

It is pretty strange looking... But having checked again, the max take-off weight for the Beluga is one third that of the A380...

[Manta]

I wonder how many of the children of these pilots DON'T want to show pictures of daddy's aeroplane at Show and Tell??

[leek]

One other thing that just occurred to me... If runways need to be specially upgraded for this beast, then doesn't that limit the number of places that it could land in an emergency... That's a bit of a worry!

[birddog114]

One other thing that just occurred to me... If runways need to be specially upgraded for this beast, then doesn't that limit the number of places that it could land in an emergency... That's a bit of a worry!

Belly landing with foam then no need to use the upgraded runway or airfield.

[gstark]

They just use the upgraded foam.

[PiroStitch]

Did someone say soccer field on that beast? Imagine playing soccer in that thing....isn't there a rule about not jumping when in a plane...or was the a lift

[kipper]

Heath as far as I know the A380 can take around 700-800 passengers if it's crammed like typical 747 are.

From what I understood it's ~550 with extra luxuries (eg. bars). I could be wrong on this.

[Manta]

Did someone say soccer field on that beast? Imagine playing soccer in that thing....isn't there a rule about not jumping when in a plane...or was the a lift

Sorry Piro. I was wrong about the soccer field. They've only got room for a tennis court. My apologies for any inconvenience to those who may have raced out to buy a ticket expecting to see some in-flight World Cup action. You'll just have to settle for Wimbledon instead.

[Manta]

Heath as far as I know the A380 can take around 700-800 passengers if it's crammed like typical 747 are.

From what I understood it's ~550 with extra luxuries (eg. bars). I could be wrong on this.

You're spot on Kipper. It all depends on how the airline configures their particular fleet. Around 550 is what we're all expecting, though we may see some surprises in the future.

[kipper]

The A380 parts engineering scares me, my mother's cousin's husband made parts for the A380 in the UK. It sounds bodgey as hell

[cordy]

Would make a kickass troop mover for the ADF

[DionM]

Just emailed Qantas today to ask about times for the A380 visit this Friday and Saturday to Brissy (and it leaves the country Wed of next week, ie mid next-week).

We hope to further publicise dates and flight times for the A380's
Australian visit toward the end of next week. Unfortunately, viewing
opportunities for the public will be limited to public areas of airport
terminals and airport perimeters.

Regards
Corporate Communication

Gee, if they can't get the times for 1 plane organised, how do they keep the fleet going? I wonder why they'll bother publishing the flight info after its left the country ...

[Greg B]

Friday 11 November Arrive Brisbane late evening
Saturday 12 November Brisbane
Sunday 13 November Depart Brisbane for Sydney early morning
Monday14 November Depart Sydney for Melbourne early morning
Tuesday 15 November Depart Melbourne for Brisbane early morning
Wednesday 16 November Depart Brisbane and Australia early morning
Details of arrival and departure times will be announced next month.

This was the schedule as at 30 Oct

[sirhc55]

Would make a kickass troop mover for the ADF

The whole Australian army with room to spare

[Greg B]

I wonder how many flight attendants would be on the A380. And what is the collective noun for flight attendants anyway?

A trolley of flight attendants? perhaps?

[gstark]

I wonder how many flight attendants would be on the A380. And what is the collective noun for flight attendants anyway?

A trolley of flight attendants? perhaps?

Wouldn't that be a snatch of flight attendants?

[Greg B]

I like the sound of that Gary

[kipper]

Best photographic area if it's landing from the North, will be around Oaklands Drive given the time of day it will be landing. The Uniting Church is best at night.

If you have a long enough lens even the access drive to Woodlands Historic Park from Oaklands Drive might provide some good vantage points as it has a bit of an incline.

[agriffiths]

Hi everyone,

Just got a media release through 5 minutes ago regarding the A380 arrival in Melbourne. Here's a cut and paste for those of you who are still interested.

PUBLIC VIEWING ARRANGEMENTS FOR A380 VISIT TO MELBOURNE AIRPORT

Melbourne will get its first glimpse of the new Airbus A380 aircraft this Monday 14 November when the double-decker flies to Australia for testing and to take part in Qantas’ 85th anniversary celebrations.

The details of the flight are as follows:

- Arrival: Approximately 1230 hours, Monday 14 November
- Departure: Approximately 0900 hours, Tuesday 15 November

Access for public viewing

Melbourne Airport will reopen its observation deck specifically the event. This area can be accessed from Departures Level 2, in the ‘Link’ area between T1 and T2, and will be open to the public from:

- Monday, 14 November: 1200 to 2030 hours
- Tuesday, 15 November: 0700 to 10.00 hours.

Airport guides will be in place throughout the terminal precinct during the A380’s visit to direct people to viewing areas, and Victoria Police and Melbourne Airport will be closely monitoring parking and road access in and around the airport.

Parking

Melbourne Airport will accommodate all parking needs during the aircraft’s visit, with parking will be available in the airport’s multi-level short term park. If demand for parking exceeds the space available, Melbourne Airport will activate alternate parking arrangements on-site – electronic roadside signage will advise of any changes to normal parking arrangements. Should alternate parking be required, Customer Service Officers will be on-site to ensure the transition is managed smoothly. Staff will direct vehicles to designated parking areas. Parking information will be updated throughout the duration of the event on the Melbourne Airport website http://www.melbourneairport.com.au.

No parking is available on either Arrivals or Departures Drive or in the Terminal Forecourt area. When dropping off or picking up passengers, drivers must remain with their vehicles at all times and a maximum of one minute is allowed in this area.

Live webcam and videos

For those that cannot make it to the airport to view the A380, the Melbourne Airport website (http://www.melbourneairport.com.au) will provide a live webcam of the A380 docked in Melbourne, along with videos of the aircraft landing, taxiing, docking and departing.

Airport operations

Airport operations will continue as normal for the duration of the A380 visit. However, the airport is expected to over the two days given the enormous amount of public interest in the aircraft to date.

Melbourne Airport advises passengers to allow plenty of additional time for getting to or from the airport whilst the A380 in case of delays caused by additional traffic in the airport precinct.

As a guide, Melbourne Airport recommends passengers arrive at least 3 hours prior to scheduled departure time for international flights and 1 hour prior for domestic flights during non-peak periods.

Further information from Melbourne Airport Media Unit – (03) 9335 3666

[Antsl]

I wonder how many flight attendants would be on the A380. And what is the collective noun for flight attendants anyway?

A trolley of flight attendants? perhaps?

Wouldn't that be a snatch of flight attendants?

A long time ago I had a conversation with a mates sister-in-law who was training to be a commercial pilot. I suggested they would have to remain the flight deck to something other than a cockpit ... she said it was going to be renamed the box office!

[xerubus]

Details for the plane's Brisbane visits:

The plane arrives this Saturday 0700 to 0800 and goes straight to Qantas 3 hanger. Comes out Sunday morning with Kangaroo painted on tail and departs around 0700 Sunday morning. BAC will open the top of domestic terminal car park for viewing platform. Trains will run at half price. Transport expected to be a nightmare.

Comes back again Tuesday for a gala dinner in the hanger and leaves around midnight. These Tuesday details are not 100% confirmed and are approximate. Saturday and Sunday times are exact.

[cordy]

I highly doubt they will be painting the tail, given where it is off to next ( and the time it takes to dry the paint). If anything the Singapore Airlines decal will be removed and a Qantas one put in its place, with the Qantas one being removed just before it leaves and in place a Emirates or Malaysian decal

Also just found this... courtesy of http://www.melair.com.au

10 November 2005
Public viewing arrangements for A380 visit to Melbourne Airport

Melbourne will get its first glimpse of the new Airbus A380 aircraft this Monday 14 November when the double-decker flies to Australia for testing and to take part in Qantas’ 85th anniversary celebrations.

The details of the flight are as follows:

Arrival: Approximately 1230 hours, Monday 14 November
Departure: Approximately 0900 hours, Tuesday 15 November


Access for public viewing
Melbourne Airport will reopen its observation deck specifically the event. This area can be accessed from Departures Level 2, in the ‘Link’ area between T1 and T2, and will be open to the public from:

Monday, 14 November: 1200 to 2030 hours
Tuesday, 15 November: 0700 to 10.00 hours.


Looks like you can at least have a bit of a sleep in now!

Chris

[agriffiths]

Thanks Cordy. For further info check post above.

[gstark]

I highly doubt they will be painting the tail, given where it is off to next ( and the time it takes to dry the paint). If anything the Singapore Airlines decal will be removed and a Qantas one put in its place, with the Qantas one being removed just before it leaves and in place a Emirates or Malaysian decal

So ... this will truly be the mumbo jumbo.

[DionM]

Details for the plane's Brisbane visits:

The plane arrives this Saturday 0700 to 0800 and goes straight to Qantas 3 hanger. Comes out Sunday morning with Kangaroo painted on tail and departs around 0700 Sunday morning. BAC will open the top of domestic terminal car park for viewing platform. Trains will run at half price. Transport expected to be a nightmare.

Comes back again Tuesday for a gala dinner in the hanger and leaves around midnight. These Tuesday details are not 100% confirmed and are approximate. Saturday and Sunday times are exact.

Cool - thanks for the Brisabne details. So when is the car park open - just when it lands and when it takes off? Same for trains, is it? I presume while it is in the hanger it is too far away to see. I may look at catching a train for Sun AM viewing for its depature (unless any Brisbanites are going and want to give me a lift ).

Also, what direction will it be coming from (anyone know landing directions) for Sat AM? Nearby to my house is a flight path (over inner southside) ... if it looks like coming in that way I may go down there and wait for it Sat AM .

More details please

[xerubus]

Cool - thanks for the Brisabne details. So when is the car park open - just when it lands and when it takes off? Same for trains, is it? I presume while it is in the hanger it is too far away to see. I may look at catching a train for Sun AM viewing for its depature (unless any Brisbanites are going and want to give me a lift ).

Also, what direction will it be coming from (anyone know landing directions) for Sat AM? Nearby to my house is a flight path (over inner southside) ... if it looks like coming in that way I may go down there and wait for it Sat AM .

More details please

I'll post some more details tonight when I get home.

cheers

[redline]

is there anyone intending to go to the melbounre airport observation deck?
the short term parking is quite expensive, long term is about 35$ a day.
the media release makes it sound like huge amounts of ppl will go to look at this plane.

[kipper]

Nah Redline, I'll be heading to probably Uniting Church Rd. I suspect the viewing platform will be chockers?

[fozzie]

kipper,

Nah Redline, I'll be heading to probably Uniting Church Rd. I suspect the viewing platform will be chockers?

Do you have a lens with plenty of reach

[kipper]

I'll probably go upto Woodlands Historic Park in the morning and take photos there. Then move to the airport, if it comes early the good thing is I can still get photos from Woodlands

[DionM]

I'll post some more details tonight when I get home.

cheers

That would be much appreciated.

[SteveGriffin]

According to the guys at ATC in Brisvegas the latest information that they have is that it will arrive in Brisbane around 8:00 am on Saturday and be departing for Sydney at 6:00 am (Eastern Standard Time) on Sunday morning.

That said the schedule has been changed 'many' times.

Looks like I might get to see some serious airborne plastic from my office window on Sunday moring.

[kipper]

Shame it's arriving Melbourne in Full Light and leaving at full dark.

[Michael]

God dammit I didn't even see this thread.

I suck

[kinetic]

God dammit I didn't even see this thread.

I suck

...but now that you've found it, you're really cool!

[xerubus]

I'll post some more details tonight when I get home.

cheers

That would be much appreciated.

http://www.brisbaneairport.com.au/conte ... ?name=A380

[DionM]

http://www.brisbaneairport.com.au/conte ... ?name=A380

Thanks for that. I'll try and get out there by train I think. Otherwise it will just be a total mess. Any idea which way it will land - City or Moreton Bay? I'm guessing maybe Moreton Bay due to noise, but maybe over the city will have more visual impact ...

[kinetic]

Dion,
The direction for landing will depend on which way the wind is blowing on the day (aircraft land into the wind). When you're driving/training in, have a look at other aircraft and see which way they are landing. 0700-0800 is close to morning peak-hour at the airport, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding another plane to watch.
Cheers,
K

[mikephotog]

Does anyone know if/how flight plans can be accessed or if the aircraft will do a city fly over?
I cant make it to the airport, but can be on the 10th floor roof at work (Parkville, Melb) with D70 and Nikon 80-200, or Tamron 70-300.