Looks like Airbus is going after Boeing's Dreamliner... After they killed Boeing's monopoly on Jumbo jets, Airbus is making sure that Boeing doesn't get ahead. Boeing's initial announcement was a Hypersonic plane and only to be developed around 2015 to 2020; is now a fuel efficient bird to be produced next year and certified in 2007. If Airbus wants to follow the same time frame, they will be launching 2 new Aircrafts with the A380 due to fly next year.

   

The Airbus is too heavy to fly, and even if its does get into the air, it's also to wide to land at most airports. A few weeks ago, the rudder from an Airbus plane fell off in midair.

I can't see the A380 ever being a success. I think the future is for smaller aircraft.

   

I don't share your opinion my friend... I think when time has come; the A380 will fly just fine. A tad heavy but still within specs... Plus the airports will adapt very quickly. They always do. Funny how we all forgot about the 747 when it took the sky. To date, Quebec City (my home town) still has to close its airport for about 20 mins to clean the runway. New Zealand is ready for the big bird.

   

I do wish that Airbus would take a firmer stand with the Rudder problem. Both A300 and A310 had problems. I didn't like Airbus answer: stating the the Pilot (or CoPilot) were applying too much force on the pedals...?
Boeing just went thru the same problem with the B737 and took a firm stand with their rudder. The recalled them all (sort of speak), and had them all fixed at Boeings expense. I think that Airbus is taking himself way to seriously, its a man (and woman) built plane, and man make mistakes. True leadership will admit its mistakes and grow from them.

-Mario-

   

Applying too much force on the pedals? Is that even possible on an airliner? Normally that could cause a plane to lose control, namely on fighters. I agree that there was too much force for the rudder to handle, but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't have handled it.

As far as Boeing vs Airbus, from an engineering standpoint, i don't think there is any technical reason for the A-380 not to fly, but there are many other factors involved, they are what will determin the A-380's fate.

   

Back to the Rudder thing...

Holy crap... those people are very lucky to be alive. Its not just a bit of the rudder missing. The whole thing. If the Pilot applied too much force to the controls, the fly by wire should have know that too much force was applied and componsated for it. Airbus totally dogging the problem.

   

From what i understand it was a A-310, but Airbus first put fly by wire on the A-320 series of aircraft. However, if it were a newer version of the A-310, it could have had flyby wire controls. I thought the same thing as you Mario so i looked it up, because my understanding of fly by wire is that you cannot do anything to hurt the plane with them, among other benifits.

   

I think it was all pilot error. f the pilot knew how to fly properly he/she(dont know which) would have known how to properly handle the aircraft


Sgt Mills

   

That would work for one Airbus... but not 3 (that I know of). The pilot error comment/investigation is from an actual crash were 265 people died, back in 2001. The picture I posted is from a succesful landing, just last week.

The problem is that its start with an uncommanded — not pilot-initiated — rudder movements and the pilot is trying to componsate for it. I hope Airbus already on it and are working on a solution. They should recall all those planes. THe CAF grounds planes for way less than that.

   

didnt think of that. thanks -Mario-. but if the rudder does make the initial movement then the pilot shoud still be able to properly compnsate though I'm sure its realy hard.