The A380 Flight Deck

[dodonutter]

It looks like a re-dressed A340 cockpit (I know, we'll call it a Vista cockpit, rofl). BTW, they've been using sidestick controls instead of yokes since the A320.

The idea with all Airbus aircraft is that they have very similar flight characteristics and extremely similar cockpits so that conversion training for pilots is minimal or even non existent in a couple of their aircraft. This is unlike Boeing aircraft where every cockpit is different and a a large amount (relatively) of conversion training is required. I am slightly bias toward Airbus though seeing as im studying aerospace engineering in the UK but i do think airbus are the better aircraft, not that Boeing haven't had their share of excellent aircraft (747 and 777 as prime examples).

I am worried about how much like Win 98 that screen looks though

 

[ksz]

I was speaking recently to a department chairperson at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and we broached the subject of Airbus vs Boeing. Surprisingly he favors Boeing and expressed concerns about Airbus designs. Still, the Airbus vs Boeing debate can degenerate into partisan politics and it's not particularly useful. Boeing will outsell Airbus this year, but Airbus has established excellent holds on various regional markets. Japan is the only market now dominated by Boeing, and this has a lot to do with Japanese involvement in the design (yes design) and manufacture of various aircraft parts, most notably the wing of the 777.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

As most pilots would say "If it doesn't say Boeing, I ain't going!"

I have only been on the A139 and A320 series, and dislike them. I like window seats, and on these aircraft the window seats are more cramped compared to B717/737/757's that I have been on.

 

[EricBrian]

but if apple made Planes - then the jumbos would be White plastic and the private jets would be titainium - o and they would never crash either

But they would be prone to scratching! LOL

 

[ksz]

Another impressive plane is the former McDonnell Douglas MD80 (and MD90) that is still flown by American Airlines on domestic routes. It seems AA purchased almost the entire stock. It takes off silently and assuredly, and cruises very smoothly. Only drawback is the engine noise at the very rear due to the side mounted engines.

The most unnerving thing about the Airbus is that they throttle back just moments after takeoff. If you're used to Boeing, the sound of the engines throttling back seconds after takeoff seems abnormal and a bit screwed up! Cabin vibration is not as well controlled as the MD80 or 747-400, but it's not bad at all. Window size?? That's never been an issue for me on Airbus, but it is a small issue on the upper deck of the 747-400.

 

[ksz]

But they would be prone to scratching! LOL

And after a while Apple would fix the problem with a protective sleeve...a very big one.

 

[Laser47]

If apple made planes, the captains would refuse to fly them because of the risk of getting them scratched or dameged due to weather.
Also when they turn the engines on the loud "BONG" might scare some of the passengers.

 

[EGT]

The idea with all Airbus aircraft is that they have very similar flight characteristics and extremely similar cockpits so that conversion training for pilots is minimal or even non existent in a couple of their aircraft. This is unlike Boeing aircraft where every cockpit is different and a a large amount (relatively) of conversion training is required. I am slightly bias toward Airbus though seeing as im studying aerospace engineering in the UK but i do think airbus are the better aircraft, not that Boeing haven't had their share of excellent aircraft (747 and 777 as prime examples).

I am worried about how much like Win 98 that screen looks though

Yeah, they wanted pilots flying the baby buses to basically walk right into the A330 & A340 flight deck after only a few days of training instead of a few weeks. The 757/767 are very similar. I believe pilots flying with airlines that operate both change between the two.

I doubt this will be the case with A340 to A380. There seems to be a lot more kit in the super jumbo compared to any other modern airliner.

You can't beat the ol' steam driven Iron Knunkles from years ago Those are the most impressive of them all.

 

[hopejr]

I have only been on the A139 and A320 series, and dislike them. I like window seats, and on these aircraft the window seats are more cramped compared to B717/737/757's that I have been on.

I've never had a problem with window seats on the A300, A310, A330, or A340. To be honest, I've never been on an A320. I've been on lots of planes, and I must say I like the A330 and A340 the best, and next comes the 777 and 747.
This could almost degenerate to a PC vs. Mac debate.

 

[Laser47]

Airbus=Apple
Boeing=Microsoft

 

[EGT]

I have only been on the A139 and A320 series, and dislike them. I like window seats, and on these aircraft the window seats are more cramped compared to B717/737/757's that I have been on.

I think that is more to do with the airlines seating arrangements and how many "bums on seats" they can get, not Boeing versus Airbus. It's interesting you say 717, was that operated by AirTran, Midwest or Hawaiian? Do they all not pretty much stack them full? The poor 717 project was a flop. Nice looking aircraft but it couldn't compete with what was already there.

The best aircraft I have ever been on was an AA 777. Oh god, those Rolls Royce Trents were just so quiet compared to anything else. Especially for a long haul flight. I've had my fair share of P&W JT8Ds (Original 737-100/200). Awesome on take-off when you're spotting but not for those early morning flights. Most of them are gone now

I wouldn't say the Boeing Vs Airbus debate is as acclaimed as Apple Vs Microsoft. Both Boeing and Airbus make bloody good aircraft, no doubt about that. I think that argument is so silly. They are continually improving and making their aircraft better all the time.

Apple Vs Microsoft, now there is an argument.

 

[EGT]

Where's the cup holder?

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/958994/L/ There ya go. Just to each side of the seats.

Nice wide angle pic.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I've never had a problem with window seats on the A300, A310, A330, or A340. To be honest, I've never been on an A320. I've been on lots of planes, and I must say I like the A330 and A340 the best, and next comes the 777 and 747.
This could almost degenerate to a PC vs. Mac debate.

The A319's and A320's I have been on have cabins that seem to sit higher up. So those closest to the windows are a bit more cramped.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I think that is more to do with the airlines seating arrangements and how many "bums on seats" they can get, not Boeing versus Airbus. It's interesting you say 717, was that operated by AirTran, Midwest or Hawaiian? Do they all not pretty much stack them full? The poor 717 project was a flop. Nice looking aircraft but it couldn't compete with what was already there.

The issue is that on the A319's and A320's, the passenger cabins "sit" higher up - so the curvature of the cabin wall limits head space compared to comparable Boeing aircraft.

I am not referring to leg room.

The B717 is nothing more than a DC-9 updated. Never had a complaint flying the DC-9 or the B717's.

 

[JDar]

Since it's just a big video game it'll be easy to simulate and we can all try one, without the heavy metal parts or toilets.

 

[jdechko]

I can only think of the hell being on a non-stop flight of greater than 8 hours in coach. <eek!>

Been there, done that... JFK to Munich... was like 10 or 11 hours... it was on a 757. On the way there it wasn't bad because it was a night flight. But the way home was horrible... It was a day flight after a night time train ride. They played Galaxy Quest twice. Before leaving in Munich, I drank a liter of coke and got stuck in the middle seat of the middle aisle.

I really like the new 787, though... it looks like it would be a sweet ride... now all I have to do is find an airline that uses them, and find somewhere to fly.

 

[MongoTheGeek]

As most pilots would say "If it doesn't say Boeing, I ain't going!"

As a passenger its a nicer plane. I would ride an old 727 than a new 380 any day.

 

[edge540]

I really like the new 787, though... it looks like it would be a sweet ride... now all I have to do is find an airline that uses them, and find somewhere to fly.

Youll also have to wait about 3 more years to get to ride one of them.

As for Boeing vs. Airbus, I personally have found the Boeing's a lot quieter and nicer a ride than the Airbus. For some reason, on every Airbus I have flown the engines they chose have a very high pitch squeal to them. Not anything like the engines that Boeing uses. As for an engineering viewpoint, Boeing usually seems to come ontop in this category, look at the 787 vs. the A350. IMO airbus realized how little market there is in the long run for mega transports and saw that Boeing was making a killing with the 787, so they decide to build one exactly the same. Efficiency obviously won against size.

 

[whocares]

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/958994/L/

Cool. But what does this do?

 

[emw]

It really does sound more like a bloody computer than an aircraft. I wonder if they'll move to Intel next year as well?

Which brings to mind this thread.

 

[EGT]

Cool. But what does this do?

I'm not 100% sure. It needs a key to open (??) and it's certainly not standard on any Airbus up front.

I think it's an explosive detonator for one of the doors in case of an emergency on the initial test flights. I remember reading about the triple 7 having something similar in case anything major happened and the crew had to bail out.

They wore parachutes for the first couple of flights so that must be what it is.

That or an ejector seat lever. Or a "Super Fun Happy Slide!"

 

[jdechko]

Youll also have to wait about 3 more years to get to ride one of them.... IMO airbus realized how little market there is in the long run for mega transports and saw that Boeing was making a killing with the 787, so they decide to build one exactly the same. Efficiency obviously won against size.

I'm patient, I can wait. Plus, it's not like I can afford to fly anywhere right now anyway.

It's interesting to see the Mega-transport vs. super efficient debate making some advances. I remeber that one of the problems with the super-big airbus (whatever model it was) is that very few airports were actually able to handle the plane because of its size. Now I think that the 747 is a big airplane, but there's an official emergency airfield here in the suburbs of atlanta (lawrenceville) that can handle a 747 if necessary, though most of what comes in and out are just private lear jets and some smaller personal craft. So perhaps Boeing, in making smaller, more efficient planes, has accurately predicted the future of flying for the time being.

 

[mj_1903]

Ticket prices will probably never come down so the only thing I am interested in when flying is comfort.

The new 787 sounds like the most comfortable plane of the next generation with a humidifier, higher cabin pressure, more headroom and larger windows. All of those will allow me to have a better flight and for that I would be willing to pay extra for.

Frankly, climbing on an aircraft with another 800 passengers doesn't really appeal to me when I am doing regular flying. Perhaps I will make one flight to say I experienced it, but otherwise I will fly the 787 whenever possible.

 

[link92]

I'm not 100% sure. It needs a key to open (??) and it's certainly not standard on any Airbus up front.

I think it's an explosive detonator for one of the doors in case of an emergency on the initial test flights. I remember reading about the triple 7 having something similar in case anything major happened and the crew had to bail out.

They wore parachutes for the first couple of flights so that must be what it is.

That or an ejector seat lever. Or a "Super Fun Happy Slide!"

All new aircraft are always tested with emergency shoots, and with parachutes tills it's proven safe enough.

 

[Jay42]

Well, I didn't use to have a fear of flying...