A380? Where's 360 then? Just like Xbox360

I'm a aficionado for airplanes. I was born loving airplanes so much that till now, my ambition is fixed to become it's controller a.k.a pilot. How I wish one day I could sit at the cockpit and fly my passengers around. Its just a dream boy, you have to wake up! True, it's just a dream for me to be a pilot. Besides having the passion for airplanes, I've inherited colour deficiency. Don't be afraid, I don't see things black and white. I can still see colours like any ordinary kid, but I somehow couldn't differentiate certain colours. Are you having colour deficiency? Check it yourself here:


Today's topic isn't about me having colour deficiency. So, I shall proceed. =)

Do you guys still remember the legendary Boeing 747? As known as the queen of the sky? I bet you do, isn't it? Nevermind, for those who are scratching their heads now, there is a picture of it below.

I must say that Boeing 747 is truly the queen of the sky although Airbus' latest jumbo, the A380 is gonna domminate it soon or perhaps already had. Why do I say so? Because the Boeing 747 has conquered the sky for almost 21 years. Isn't that amazing? But soon, it's gonna retire from its title.

Boeing 747-400
Powerplant
Four 252.4kN (56,750lb) Pratt & Whitney PW-4056 turbofans or 266.9kN (60,000lb) PW-4060s, or 275.8kN (62,000lb) PW-4062s, 252.4kN (56,750lb) General Electric CF6-80-C2B1Fs or 273.6kN (61,500lb) CF6-80-C2B1F1s or -80-C2B7Fs, or 258.0kN (58,000lb) RollsRoyce RB-211-524G or -524Hs, or 262.4 to 266.9kN (59 to 60,000lb) RB-211-524G/H-Ts.

Performance
747-400 - Max cruising speed 939km/h (507kt), long range cruising speed 907km/h (490kt). Design range with 420 three class pax at 396,895kg (875,000lb) MTOW 13,491km (7284nm) with PW-4000s, 13,444km (7259nm) with GEs, 13,214km (7135nm) with RB-211s.
747-400ER - Range at MTOW 14,205km (7670nm).
747-400ERF - Range at MTOW 9200km (4970nm).

Weights
747-400 - Standard operating empty with PW-4056s 180,985kg (399,000lb), with CF6-80-C2B1Fs 180,755kg (398,500lb), with RB-211s 181,755kg (400,700lb); operating weights at optional MTOW with PW-4056s 181,485kg (400,100lb), with CF6-80-C2B1Fs 181,255kg (399,600lb), with RB-211s 182,255kg (401,800lb). Max takeoff 362,875kg (800,000lb), or optionally 377,845kg (833,000lb), or 385,555kg (850,000lb), or 396,895kg (875,000lb).
747-400ER/ERF - MTOW 412,770kg (910,000lb).

Dimensions
Wing span 64.44m (211ft 5in), length 70.67m (231ft 10in), height 19.41m (63ft 8in). Wing area 541.2m2 (5825sq ft).

Capacity
747-400 - Flightcrew of two. Typical three class seating for 416 (23 first, 78 business and 315 economy class pax). Cargo hold 170.5m3 (6025cuft) or 151m3 (5332cuft).
747-400 Domestic - Two class seating for 568 (24 first and 544 economy).
747-400 Combi - Typical arrangement for six or seven pallets and 266 three class passengers.
747-400ER - Same as -400, but cargo hold 158.6m3 (5599cuft) or 137m3 (4837cuft).
747-400F - 30 pallets on the main deck and 32 LD1 containers in the lower hold.
















Boeing 747 cockpit

Why did the Boeing 747 loses it's technology to Airbus A380? The answer is simple, the B747 is developed in the 1985 which was 3 years earlier than I was born. Common sense la! Its like comparing Whoopi Goldberg with Tyra Banks.














A380 cockpit

The A380 has the state of the art fly-by-wire cockpit. It's all computerised. All the pilot need to do is to play with the "joystick" as well as his own during free time. =)

Airbus A380

Powerplant
A380-800 - Four 311kN (70,000lb), initially derated to 302kN (68,000lb), later growing to 374kN (84,000lb) thrust Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or 363kN (81,500lb) thrust Engine Alliance (General Electric-Pratt & Whitney) GP-7200 turbofans.
Performance
A380-800 - Max cruising speed M 0.88. Long range cruising speed M 0.85. Range 14,800km (8,000nm). Service ceiling 43.000ft (13,100m).
A380-800F - Range 10,370km (5,600nm).

Weights
A380-800 - Operating empty 277,000kg (610,700lb), max takeoff 560,000kg (1,234,600lb).
A380-800F - Operating empty 252,000kg (555,600lb), max takeoff 590,000kg (1,300,700lb).

Dimensions
A380-800 - Wing span 79.8m (261ft 10in), length 72,75m (238ft 8in). Height 24,08 m (79ft)

Capacity
A380-800 - Flightcrew of two. Standard seating for 555 passengers on two decks in a three class arrangement. Qantas plans to fit its aircraft with 523 seats (in three classes). A380 has 49% more floor area but only 35% more seats (in 555 seat configuration) than the 747-400, allowing room for passenger amenities such as bars, gymnasiums and duty free shops. Cargo capacity 38 LD3s or 13 pallets.

Common sense again that the A380 is more heavier than the B747 because it's a full double-decker while for B747, it's only 1/4 double-decker. Definitely a Big Mac is more expensive than a Double Cheeseburger right?!

I used to dislike the A380 because I feel that its Cockpit looks weird from the outside.

But after knowing that the cockpit is actually positioned in the middle of the two decks, I was fascinated by it in every aspect. Building this Giant isn't easy at all. Because Airbus didn't have a facility big enought to fit in this "baby" at first. While Boeing has a 3/4 mile by 3/4 mile huge factory located in Seattle. So, all the parts to build the A380 came from all around the world via sea, air and land.














The wings














Check out those HOLES!














The cabin

So now, I think it's time for the legendary Boeing 747 to retire while the Airbus A380 to take over its title. Both planes are good in any ways. Both as elegant as well as powerful.