Samsonite

Just a thought, pure conjecture on my part, that Air France might be "moving over" so an airline that placed a larger order can get their planes earlier?

According to one report I read, from someone who was on the plane during the flight, they turned due east at the southern island of Japan, flew straight across the Pacific, not taking the usual far Northern Pacific route, arrived in the U.S. along the Northern California Coast, turned south and flew to Los Angeles, turned northeast and flew to Denver, turned east and flew to New York, and then on to the northeast and finally London.

I respect your respectful disagreement, but I respectfully disagree with your disagreement. From what I've been reading about the A380 the design does not lend itself well for the purposes of hauling cargo. Where it will do well is with a customer that moves volume, but not bulk or weight, e.g., FedEx or UPS. As I've said, it will be very interesting to see how this all works itself out over the next few years. Personally I don't care for more creature comforts on a passenger jet. I just want to get there faster. Unfortunately, I doubt very much that will happen in my lifetime. You are correct about incorporating what they have learned from the 787 program into the new 747-8, which is why it going to take so long to bring the 747-8 to market, almost 4 years. If it is going to take that long they might as well do the entire fuselage in composites and save enough weight they can fly it not only farther, but faster.

Possible, but I don't think so, unless, of course, the Jet Stream zigged and zagged across the U.S. and happened to accommodate their flight plan.

November of next year, if then. If it is delivered in November it could be in service by December depending on how much work Singapore Air has to do to the plane to meet their specifications. Each airline, usually, designs their own interiors, seating configurations, etc., etc. and then either does the work themselves or farms it out to a 3rd party. Perhaps, as this is a "Major New Product" introduction and it is going to be late as it is, Singapore Air and Airbus will work together to speed up the process. Usually what the aircraft manufacturer delivers to the airline is a plane with the galleys (kitchens) and heads (toilets) installed where the airline said they wanted them, but little else. So, you won't see a A380 in commercial service for at least another year. If I had to guess I would say Airbus was running late, as it turns out they are, and only rolled out the plane and flew it when they did because of public pressure. It could have very well been a case of the marketing department selling more than the boys in engineering and the workers of the factory floor could deliver. It wouldn't be the first time that has happened. Been a "victim" of that "syndrome" myself. So now they are flight testing it and fine turning it. It is during this phase that they see if the product can live up to it's billing, i.e., will it work as advertised. Prior to building a plane, any plane, the company, any company, consults with the design engineers and then announces to the world they are going to build the greatest thing since masking tape and sliced bread. It will fly x amount of miles on x amount of fuel and be x percent cheaper to operate than their competitor's product. What were to happen IF now that the test flights have started, they find out it doesn't meaure up to their own hype? The hype they used to pre-sell Billions of Dollars of product. What I'm saying is there is a lot at stake and many things could go wrong or could go right. It may very well be everything the marketing department said it would be and more. Only time will time. Edit in: About an hour after writing the above I picked up the "Wall Street Journal" for 22 November and read an article that says A380 has an "unusually powerful wake." As a result, the International Civil Aviation Organization's initial proposals would require 10 nautical miles (normally 5) minimum separations for all aircraft following a landing A380, and for aircraft flying the same route directly behind an A380 at cruising altitude a minimum spacing of 15 nautical miles (normally 5).

BigD is correct. Similar things were said about the 747 when it first entered commercial service in January 1970, with PanAm. It will be at least another year, if not longer, before the A380 enters commerical service, so a lot can happen by then. I think the A380 was "rolled out" last February so the public could take a look at it. Its first flight was toward the end of April. It has been in the test flight stage since and will be until about this time next year. Seems rather a long test flight period, but, then, it is an entirely new airplane. BTW, it only took 18 months to build the first 747. Flight Certification took 10 months.

Range. It would appear that the new 777-200LR can do the Sydney to London route non-stop. QANTAS ordered 12 of the A380 and has an option for 10 more. Deliveries are at least 6 months behind schedule.

Big Air Show in Dubai starting Sunday. There should be some major orders announced during the show. Before the end of 2005 it looks like Boeing may take close to 1,000 or more firm orders for the year.

Since the 787 program was launched in April 2004, 25 customers have ordered 309 airplanes, and Emil is correct, the first delivery will be in 2008.

I think it was about 5 1/2 years ago Boeing announced* they would build what was then called the 747-X. No one showed any interest in placing an order so the project was scrapped. A year ago there was "talk" of shutting down production of both the 767 and the 747. Know what sparked the orders that have since flowed in for both airplanes and the launch of the 747-8? The rollout of A380. Once the A380 was actually built and the airlines and cargo companies could see it "in the flesh," so to speak, they turned back to Boeing and said, in effect, "build us a new 747." The next few years in the commercial aircraft business are going to be very interesting. * 29 June 2000: "The 747X family includes a 747X Stretch passenger airplane, capable of carrying more than 500 passengers, and a 747X Stretch Freighter. Also part of the family plan is a 747X airplane capable of flying more than 8,975 nautical miles (16,620 kilometers) - matching the range of the recently launched 777-200 longer range derivative. The 747X family - which also potentially includes Combis and high-capacity Domestic versions - would incorporate a new wing, and have a maximum takeoff weight of more than a million pounds. All derivatives include a modern 777-style interior, and an updated flight deck, similar to the 777s." http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2000/n...se_000629b.html

If it is 10,587 statute miles SYD-LHR and the 777-200LR flew 14,008 statute miles, spent 25 minutes circling over LHR, and once on the ground still had an hour and a half worth of fuel in its tanks, wouldn't that be enough, heads winds and all? Apparently not?

Oh, I agree. You may have already said this, but QANTAS is going to announce a big order, maybe 100 aircraft, the end of the first week in December and the rumors have it is going to Boeing, a mix of 777s, 787s, and 747-8s. I think the announcement of the launch of the 747-8, dated the 14th, but not posted until late that night in the U.S., was timed with the Dubai Airshow in mind. Doesn't it start this weekend?

Boeing Launches New 747-8 Family -- Cargolux and Nippon Cargo to buy up to 34 aircraft -- 787 technologies to increase passenger and freighter capabilities, improve fuel efficiency, reduce noise and emissions, provide unmatched operating economics. http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q4/nr_051114h.html

Ran a Google search for "I feel sorry for people who don't drink" and came up with the following: I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. -- Dean Martin ... www.tastybrew.com/humor/quotes.html - 33k - Cached - Similar pages I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. ~Frank Sinatra ... www.quotegarden.com/alcohol.html - 20k - Cached - Similar pages Classic Quotes: I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. --Frank Sinatra ... www.ttop.com/bfh3/quotes.htm - 7k - Cached - Similar pages

A year ago I stayed in a Platinum Suite at the President Solitaire for, I think it was somewhere between 3,200 and 3,400. They have drastically raised their rates over the last year to point where I no longer think they are worth it. Whatever the market will bear, I guess.

The cabin width of a 747-400 is 9 inches wider than a 777-300ER, but regardless, the seating configurations are designed by the individual airlines and the seats installed (usually) by the airlines, so it will be interesting to see if EVA changes it down the road if the customer complaints persist.

Here are some interesting facts about the flight from a aviation related web site. Actual miles flown, 12,173nm or 14,008 statue miles. "......Thanks also to HK ATC for allowing the airplane to be fueled at the ramp at the end of the runway, start and immediately takeoff with essentially zero taxi time. Only 700lb fuel consumed from start to takeoff. Here are some more detailed stats if you are interested: Record "credit" distance: 11,664 nm (great circles between declared waypoints) or 13,422 statutue miles Actual flight plan distance flown: 12,173 nm or 14,008 statute miles Flight time: 22:42 Fuel burned: 341,300 lb Fuel remaining: 18,700 lb Fuel burn at cruise: 11,200 lb/hr Total on board: 35 incl crew Cases of champagne: 5 Sunsets: 1 Sunrises: 2" Found here: http://www.luchtzak.be/posts13995-start20&...6dfd6f917e4b040

Tom, I know that is "tongue in cheek," but just in case, did you read the article above your last message? "The 777-200LR tracked northeast over Taipei and the southern island of Japan before turning due east to the mid-Pacific. Just to the north of Midway Island it took a more northerly heading, picking up a strong jetstream that took it to the northern California coast, where it turned south to Los Angeles. Over LA at 03:02 UTC the jet turned northeast to the Denver area and then headed east for New York, which it reached at 07:06 UTC. After passing over New York, the aircraft tracked northeast to Newfoundland where the 35 passengers and crew saw their second sunrise of the flight. It then was set on a more easterly heading toward Ireland and the UK. The 777-200LR was held for 20 min. over Heathrow due to overcast and windy conditions." I'm sure they did this to show the different airlines what is possible. They took the long way around over the mid-Pacific instead of the far northern Pacific or "over the pole" and then zigzagged across the U.S. before heading toward the UK. Then they were held for 20 minutes over LHR, but still managed to land with over an hours worth of fuel still in the tanks. Were the A380 and the 777-200LR to follow the same route, the time of flight would be approximately the same. Ditto the A380 and the 747-400.

Well, while they did take advantage of the Jet Stream, they did not take the shortest route: "From Hong Kong to London, the long way around Friday November 11, 2005 Boeing's 777-200LR Worldliner achieved a new distance record of 11,664 nm. (21,601 km.) when it touched down in London at 13:06 UTC yesterday, 22 hr. 42 min. after it departed Hong Kong Wednesday night at 10:30 p.m. local time.The GE90-110B1-powered aircraft took off at 711,000 lb., well under its MTOW of 766,000 lb. Liftoff was 40 sec. after power-up and it reached its initial cruising altitude of 29,000 ft. in just 18 min. The 777-200LR tracked northeast over Taipei and the southern island of Japan before turning due east to the mid-Pacific. Just to the north of Midway Island it took a more northerly heading, picking up a strong jetstream that took it to the northern California coast, where it turned south to Los Angeles. Over LA at 03:02 UTC the jet turned northeast to the Denver area and then headed east for New York, which it reached at 07:06 UTC. After passing over New York, the aircraft tracked northeast to Newfoundland where the 35 passengers and crew saw their second sunrise of the flight. It then was set on a more easterly heading toward Ireland and the UK. The 777-200LR was held for 20 min. over Heathrow due to overcast and windy conditions. In command was Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann. She was supported by seven other captains including three Boeing pilots, among them Frank Santoni and John Cashman, along with two PIA pilots and one Singapore Airlines captain. The flight breaks the previous weight-category record of 9,200 nm. set by Qantas in 1989 on the delivery flight of its first 747-400, which flew from London to Sydney with 18 passengers. That flight took 20 hr. 9 min. The 777-200LR took off with 360,700 lb. of fuel and had 18,700 lb. left upon engine shutdown at Heathrow. ATW Senior Editor Geoffrey Thomas was a guest onboard the aircraft." by Geoffrey Thomas http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=3051

10 hours less flying time??????????????

Yes, head winds, delays, etc. There has to be a certain "cushion" but I don't remember if it is measured in time or fuel or both. On the last trip from TPE to SFO the pilot made 2 passes before he finally landed on the 3rd approach. Guess they, the airport, was busy. Added about 25 minutes to the flight.

Good question. Off the top of my head I think the range of the A380 will be 8,000 miles....but....hang on let me see if I can find it......Airbus is not as "open" with their tech data as Boeing........ Here we go: From here: http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=29 A380-800: Range 14,800km (8,000nm). Service ceiling 43.000ft (13,100m). A380-800F (freighter): Range 10,370km (5,600nm). 8,000 nautical miles would be 9,212.8 miles. Found this: "In recent years, the battle for long-range has been fought out by Airbus and Boeing, the world's primary manufacturers of commercial aircraft. The two planes that have been at the center of the struggle to date are the Airbus A340 and the Boeing 777. Airbus unveiled its long-range A340-500 in 2002. This model seats about 300 in a typical layout and has a range of 8,665 nm (16,050 km)." From: http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/performance/q0229.shtml Also found this: http://www.flybernhard.de/ueb_eng.htm?http...d.de/a330_e.htm But I had a hard time understanding what the author was trying to say. Maybe you will have better luck.

Apparently there is a hotel on top of Mike's Shopping Mall at about Soi 12. Anyone know anything about it? Quality? Cost? Thanks.

I found it interesting that the Jet Stream wasn't discovered until World War II, by a crew on a bombing mission. At first they weren't believed and it was thought it was an excuse for missing their target. ;-) Some other interesting facts about the Jet Stream: http://www.bookrags.com/sciences/earthscie...am-woes-01.html