Here's an interesting, small article I ran across at The Independent. It concerns the logistics nightmare of building the Airbus A380 - the worlds largest and most advanced commercial passenger jet (as if you all didn't know :-)).Good read about this monster and what it takes to build it:http://news.independent.co.uk/business/new...sp?story=380093Take care,Elrond

Hi Elrond,thanks for the link - I had a great laugh. I think what did it for me was not the Chinese ship or the 7,500 tonne roof of the factory, but the fact that they'll have to widen the roads and build rest areas... Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Hi Elrond,Does anyone else find the idea of "giant flying fish with huge mouths" (describing the 'guppy' transport aircraft) a bit scary? :-lolIain Spowart,Scotland.Webmaster and photographer,Scottish Rockettes Dance Squad Official Web-Sitehttp://avsim.iainspowart.com/rockettes.gifhttp://www.scottishrockettes.comScottish Claymores Cheerleaders Fan Sitehttp://www.claymorescheerleaders.comMotorsport Photographyhttp://www.iainspowart.com

LOL! :-lolIndeed, I do!Elrond

No kidding... I bet the people of the town are going to LOVE Airbus after a while... I can't even imagine what it would be like if my roads were shutdown 12 nights a month! Of course, they all probably *work* for Airbus, but still.Take care,Elrond

Boy, talk about a public works project! Personally, the A380 is about the last plane I would want to get on. Sharing a jet with 550 people is not my idea of a good time. Just think about how long it will take to get your baggage and how much fun it will be standing around the carousel with 550 of your closest travelling companions.

Yes, I'm sure some people will be happy - I bet the local juvenile delinquents are already checking out, how they could take the truck with the wing for a joyride...Cheers,Gosta. http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Nevermind, deliveries of Airbus' aircraft will this year beat its American rival for the first time! On current forecasts, Boeing will deliver about 285 planes to Airbus' 300.Hey hey! Looks like Boeings going towards a big slump:Deliveries Airbus vs. Boeing:1999: A 294, B 6202000: A 311, B 4892001: A 325, B 5272002: A 303, B 3812003: A 300, B 285...only one manufacturer seems to be on a downward trend. Boeing have always said that "what matters is not orders taken in a year but deliveries" - wise words methinks :-)Cheers,Paulhttp://www.strontiumdog.plus.com/sbird.jpgOfficially licenced by British Airways plc for use of name and logo

Boeing may be going downhill, but it's only because Airbus planes usually cost less than their Boeing competitors and just about every airline is trying to save money. Boeing is still way bigger, and IMO has cooler planes, i mean look at the 777-300ER, that beast carries a thrust rating of 115,000lb per engine, freakin too muchhhhhh. Boeing AC still climb better than Airbus's.

>Boeing may be going downhill, but it's only because Airbus >planes usually cost less than their Boeing competitors and >just about every airline is trying to save money. Boeing is >still way bigger, and IMO has cooler planes, i mean look at >the 777-300ER, that beast carries a thrust rating of >115,000lb per engine, freakin too muchhhhhh. Boeing AC still >climb better than Airbus's. "Boeing aircraft still climb better than Airbus"So tell me what's the advantage of a huge rate of climb? Airbus may have a much slower rate of climb for the same IAS,they are much more economical in fuel use,thus reducing costs.So your phrase should be"Boeing aircraft still climb much less efficient than Airbus's"I agree Boeing has nice planes (especially the 777) and I still belive they're more solid than Airbuss, but I think it will never beat Airbus in fuell efficiency and automatisation

and IMO has cooler planes..ah well that's OK then,>that beast carries a thrust rating of 115,000lb per engine..I guess you'll be a convert to Airbus then once the A380 gets its new engines! 115k static? Pah! Measily!Cheers,Paulhttp://www.strontiumdog.plus.com/sbird.jpgOfficially licenced by British Airways plc for use of name and logo

Well, the 777 is the only Boeing plane I prefer to fly over an Airbus. It's amazing how much roomier the A320 feels compared to the 737 or 757 (both wildly uncomfortable unless you are on AA or in UAL's premiere section). It's a wash for the 767 or 747, neither of which I fly on very often.

"You Can't beat an original" I don't think Boeing has anything to worry about, the A380 won't be in service for another 3 yrs. Alot can happen in 3 yrs.

You know, if this A380 project doesn't take off (nice pun huh) as Airbus expect it, it could be the end for airbus, they've put a heck of a lot of money into this.Whispers are abound about a double decker 747. a idea previously discarded.

Boeing invested so much in 747 development that it could easily have gone bankrupt, but that won't happen with Airbus. It would certainly be kept alive on the backs of European taxpayers.