For those of you who are aircraft fans . . .

The Airbus A380 SuperJumbo is about to make its maiden flight in a few hours in France.

Cool.

By the time you all wake up it will be done.

For those of you not interested in aircraft . . . ignore this post.

Carry on.

 

I thought they have already flown the prototype.

 

Thanks for the reminder, had forgotten about it.
Watching live report now.

 

A perfect take off.

Awesome.

The wings have enough space to park 70 cars.

 

While watching CNN International . . . .

I am reminded that this guy




is the MOST IRRITATING NEWSCASTER EVER !!!!

Honestly, when I'm in Paris, and I turn on CNN, he's ALWAYS on, seems he's on 24/7, but his mannerisms, his voice, his attitude and personality . . . are all horrific. Every time I see him I want to shoot my TV.

I was hoping that when the plane took off he'd get sucked into one of the engines.

I HATE HIM !!!

Sorry I got off subject there and sorry for the rant. Back to our subject which is already in progress.

 

Lots of photos, etc over at http://www.airliners.net/

 

Just think, if it pulled up to a local gas station to fill up on premium, you'd need a American Express Black card to cover the $194,000 fill-up cost (assuming $2.37/gal). That's good stuff!

 

Thats something I have always wondered, what kind of fuel do planes like that use? They don't used regular gas do they? Or do they use diesel fuel? Just something I thought about.

 

Military jets use a fuel called JP-8, which from what I hear is pretty close to Diesel- or perhaps a diesel Kerosene mix...

Of course, I don't know anyone that tried this, but they say the flash point is so high that if you threw a lit match into a tank full of it, the match would simply go out.

I don't know anyone stupid enough to try it thoughh...

Do you think we could get those dummies from MTV's Jackass to try it or, maybe those nerd from Viva La Bam?

 

This would get your full and undivided attention, if you were driving down this road-

http://www.flightlevel350.com/mediat...98377463-7.wvx


Unless it was hella windy, this pilot needs his butt kicked..
Newby..
http://<br /> http://www.flightleve...91820971-7.wvx



Maverick, you're at 3/4's of a mile, call the ball.

http://www.flightlevel350.com/mediat...1105195358.wvx


Highway to the Danger Zone!
http://www.flightlevel350.com/mediat...00851771-7.wvx

S approach (See, this is why I don't like flying)

http://www.flightlevel350.com/mediat...1106992701.wvx

Give 'em an inch, and they take a mile!
http://www.flightlevel350.com/mediat...1109460840.wvx

 

cia-agent

Links return this gem:




Don't know if you saw it, but a few days ago there was that link to the moron who used about a thousand gallons of gas to start that bonfire . . . he might give it a try. Although actually, I believe I saw this demonstrated on The Discovery Channel - or something similiar - and it's true.

Re: the test flight . . . one of the smoothest take offs and smoothest landings I've ever seen.

Sadly, Richard Quest is still alive on still on the air at CNN. Since he didn't get sucked into the engines at take-off, I was hoping the plane would land on top of him. Didn't happen though. Darn.

 

Kobiashi - it gets better... there's a WHOLE thread about the same links that don't work.... https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=195422

 

JP-8 is a kerosene-based fuel.

The civilian airlines use Jet A or Jet A-1 fuel, which are virtually identical to JP-8, but with a different performance-enhancing additive package.

And you are correct. THe flash point of JP-8 is rather high. When I was in the airforce, we use to re-fuel the airplane while it was running and smoking a cig at the same time. Of course you aren't suppose to do that but people do. JP-5 (which is used mostly on Navy Ships) has an even higher flash point.

They use these so if an aircraft or ship gets damaged in combat you have a greater chance of living because it won't blow up as easy.

 

I currently am working in an aircraft manuacture's Paris facility, In fact the EADS building is next door, so this has been the buzz all day. That is one big airplane, but I think the thing needs a nose job. I mean look at that A$$ ugly snout on that thing. It's a face only a mother could love.

Actually that has happened, or so the story goes. Rumor has it that while flight testing the 707 the crew noticed that they needed fuel in a bad way. They landed at a small airfield that had jet fuel, and had the aircraft refueled. When it came time to pay the bill the crew tried to have the bill sent to Boeing HQ. The owner of the FBO would not accept that form of payment, because he had no proof that they actually were from Boeing. One of the team on board paid the bill on his personal credit card, and then made several quick phone calls. First was to his boss explaining what had happened, and that he needed some money ASAP. The next was to his wife explaining that yes he had just paid for a fill up on a jetliner and that he would get the money back once he returned to the office.

Joe