A380 Test Flight

[Snapper]

I saw a clip of it on CNBC this morning and I have to say that for a nation obsessed with style and fashion the French have created one ugly looking aircraft!

They also said that they already know, more or less, exactly how the aircraft is going to fly and handle due to the amount of computer modelling that has been performed. That said, it is still Airbus policy that the test pilots wear parachutes and they have a special grab-rail to get them from the cockpit to an emergency exit.

Ugly or not it must be such an incredible buzz to take a new aircraft up for it's maiden flight.

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Wow - absolutely stunning. Loved the video they showed on the BBC website.

[pieman790]

Ugly or not as long as long as you get more leg room or flight prices come down who cares what it looks like.
One of the best looking planes (Concorde) lies grounded at the end of the runway at Manchester Airport, so it not just about looks.

[LiesaAnna]

i still panic at the very size of "ordinary" size areoplanes!! something so heavy and big yet flys so gracefully through the sky!!!!!
not sure i will be going on that one!!! well maybe 10 years from now ....... if its any good![msnwink]

Its on CNN now!!!!

[Snapper]

There are some amazing photos on Sky Channel 528 of it doing a fly-by right now!

Its just landed - still on CNN[msnwink]

[Snapper]

That's pretty cool. Cockpit window open. Pilots waving to the crowd as they taxi past.

Good day for flying too - clear blue and sunny[msnwink]

I would love to have been there!

[amy]

Does anyone know where it flew to, or is that a secret?