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Post by turboNZ on Apr 28, 2005 21:02:22 GMT 12
I see the A380 flew today for the first time. Whip dee doo I hear you all say but the important thing to note is it was built with New Zealand Aluminium !!! Now THAT IS COOL !!!!  TNZ |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 29, 2005 3:10:15 GMT 12
Wow, they must have collected a heck of a lot of coke cans to do that!
Also in the news today, Boeing is seriously considering shutting down the 747 and 767 production lines for good. Co-incidence?
They will make to decision at the end of summer, which is our winter.
The A380 did look good, didn't it?
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Post by turboNZ on Apr 29, 2005 7:32:48 GMT 12
Admitedly it did look very graceful in the air, just that it's not the best looking airliner built, IMO.
With the 7E7 (787) order books filling up, Boeing are really betting that it will be the winner for them.
If they do shut down the 747 & 767 lines, they had better make sure the 787 delivers what they promise or else it may not look good for them.
Is the 737 still being made ?
TNZ
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Post by Bruce on Apr 29, 2005 19:38:59 GMT 12
the advanced (700 & 800 Series) 737s are still coming off the production lines and look likely to for some time yet. 717s (formerly MD-90s) are also selling and there are not many new small shorthaul jets being developed. I think we'll see them around for a lot longer yet.
As for the A380, I like it, and from an engineering point of view it is an amazing acheivement. Some commentators reckon that it will revolutionise air transport in the same way the 747 did in the 1960s - we'll have to wait and see. I think Boeing was wise not to compete directly with it as I dont see a market for more than 1 type of superjumbo, just as McDonnell Douglas didnt compete with the 747. Boeings 787 is the one to watch as they have targeted just the right sized niche, and stretched the envelope while doing so - the use of composites (the 787 is the first airliner with a composite fuselage) particularly is revolutionary.
However Airbus have produced thier own masterpiece which goes beyond any previous airliner - despite my opinion that modern airliners (passenger tubes) are just glorified buses, I cant wait to see one of these babies line up for finals at Auckland!
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Post by turboNZ on Apr 30, 2005 23:09:30 GMT 12
Can't see the probability of any 380's coming in on short finals here in Welly..... ;D
The only time a 747 has come in here has been for special occasions, and they've only done it (just!!) with tiny fuel load and completely empty.....
(ie the last Air NZ -100 flight)
TNZ
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Post by Bruce on May 1, 2005 22:25:50 GMT 12
Good ol' Wellington, complete with the special overrun arrestor ditches at either end.... Maybe we can get an A380 in there by installing arrester wires - theres a couple of sets surplus at Whenuapai and Ohakea!
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Post by turboNZ on May 2, 2005 8:18:34 GMT 12
Taking off again could be hairy though.
May need to borrow some steam catapult from a couple of the decommissioned US Navy carriers !!!
That would be a sight to behold !!! ;D
TNZ
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