A380 visit down under - timeframe?

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newflyer

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Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has more information (times, dates?) on the proposed A380 visit down under next week?

The most recent I can find is on the QF website, which states the A380 will visit Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as part of QF's 85th birthday celebrations, but that a timetable is still be finalised.

Any info most appreciated!

Newflyer
 
If you're hoping for an inspection, forget it.

I e-mailed Geoff Dixon and was politely told "no" !
 
Needs an engine change already (from airbus.com):

Airbus A380 tour update
4 November 2005


At the request of Rolls-Royce, as a precautionary measure, two Trent 900 engines are being replaced on A380 number One. This follows a thorough review by the engine manufacturer of an earlier engine change, and leads to a slight shift in the A380 tour to Asia and Australia. The A380 is now due to arrive in Singapore on Friday 11th November, instead of Tuesday 8th. The subsequent tour to Australia remains unchanged. The aircraft will then visit Kuala Lumpur on Thursday 17th November.

The first A380 made its first flight on 27th April and the second on 18th October. In total, both aircraft have satisfactorily performed some 440 flight hours in over 120 flights. The third A380, MSN 2, had a successful maiden flight yesterday, 3rd November and joins the flight test programme. Flight tests of the A380 are progressing without any major issues being discovered. Certification is planned for the last quarter of 2006 in time for first delivery to the first operator Singapore Airlines before the end of the year.

Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems.
 
newflyer said:
Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has more information (times, dates?) on the proposed A380 visit down under next week?

The most recent I can find is on the QF website, which states the A380 will visit Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as part of QF's 85th birthday celebrations, but that a timetable is still be finalised.

Any info most appreciated!

Newflyer
Current info I can locate says:

Arrive BNE around 9pm on Friday 11th. Saturday in BNE to change decals etc from SQ to QF.

Depart BNE around 7am Sunday 13th, arrive SYD around 10am after some photo opportunities over the harbourne bridge etc.

Down to Melbourne on Monday morning, departing SYD around 11:15am so assume arriving MEL around 12:30pm.

Overnight in MEL and leave about 9am for BNE. So assume arrival into BNE around 9:30-10am depending on flight time. I assume it will then have the QF decals remove and MAS ones added before departing about 11pm on Wednesay 16th for KUL.
 
If you're hoping for an inspection, forget it.

Nah, I just wanted to see the thing. There's a possibility I will be in Brissie next week and wouldn't mind seeing if I can be there on the day the A380 is - it's awesome!

But thanks for the idea of asking Mr Dixon for an inspection - I might just give it a go anyway - you never know yer luck in the big city!
 
NM's information is correct at time of advice (I know where he got it from :D )....but we are still waiting actual confirmation which will come closer to the actual dates.

I'm hoping to be out at BNE on Friday PM to see her come in...many vantage spots.

No actual tours for us mere plebs..the only ones will probably be QF management, "selected media" and VIP's (and I doubt any of us fal into those categories).
 
AFAIK, it is still arrives SIN 11 Nov at least. I doubtl it would leave here quickly as SQ is launch airline, etc.

I was fairly reliably told the QF dinner on 15 Nov (not invited, not in the country) is still on, and I assume they would like the "double layer sardine can" there for it...maybe after SYD-MEL.
 
Lindsay Wilson said:
NM's information is correct at time of advice (I know where he got it from :D )....
Actually, not just from Spotty, but a few sources around the net combined to confirm validity :D . But it seems Spotty is in the money so far.
 
Lindsay Wilson said:
No actual tours for us mere plebs..the only ones will probably be QF management, "selected media" and VIP's (and I doubt any of us fal into those categories).

I am not sure that there is much in the plane to see at the moment. I don't think this one has been kitted out with things like seats and stuff. Could be wrong, but suspect there's a whole swag of monitoring equipment and such.
 
newflyer said:
But thanks for the idea of asking Mr Dixon for an inspection - I might just give it a go anyway - you never know yer luck in the big city!
Who is Mr Dixon?

Is he your physics teacher?
 
I thought that the A380 needed a shed load more runway than what brisbane has?

how can it land and take off here if that is correct? one thought i have is that because it is empty of passengers, cargo and likely only fuelled for the short trip from BNE it will have a light load and therefore the brisbane strip will be ok.

can anyone put some light on this? i would love to see it too, unfortunatley i will be over the pacific on QF26 at the time. maybe the paper will take photos?
 
oz_mark said:
Lindsay Wilson said:
No actual tours for us mere plebs..the only ones will probably be QF management, "selected media" and VIP's (and I doubt any of us fal into those categories).

I am not sure that there is much in the plane to see at the moment. I don't think this one has been kitted out with things like seats and stuff. Could be wrong, but suspect there's a whole swag of monitoring equipment and such.

Correct, from the SIA newsletter,

The flight test aircraft cabin is fitted with flight-test instrumentation, measuring equipment and ballast tanks that can be filled with water to simulate the weight of a full passenger load and cargo.


Cheers
 
bigjobs said:
I thought that the A380 needed a shed load more runway than what brisbane has?

how can it land and take off here if that is correct? one thought i have is that because it is empty of passengers, cargo and likely only fuelled for the short trip from BNE it will have a light load and therefore the brisbane strip will be ok.

can anyone put some light on this? i would love to see it too, unfortunatley i will be over the pacific on QF26 at the time. maybe the paper will take photos?
Apparently the problem in BNE is more width than length. I have heard that to avoid dusk pick up when landing the plane will be required to shut down the 2 outer engines. It may be towed.

Also, it will be using the new Maintenance hangar near the South corner of the main runway as its resting place.
 
bigjobs said:
I thought that the A380 needed a shed load more runway than what brisbane has?

how can it land and take off here if that is correct? one thought i have is that because it is empty of passengers, cargo and likely only fuelled for the short trip from BNE it will have a light load and therefore the brisbane strip will be ok.
The A380, unless fully loaded, needs no more runway length than a 747. And its certainly not going to be fully loaded for its arrivals, nor departures to SYD or KUL. So no problem with length.

The additional width requirement is mainly to ensure the outboard engines don't blow grass and dirt all over the runway for following aircraft to collect. So perhaps they will need to inspect and blow the runway after she departs?? That is not a big issue for the small number of ops. The aircraft can be towed along narrow taxiways so the engines don't blow fod around.

The other thing to consider is pavement weights for taxiways and stands. Again this is only an issue for continued or regular operations. Single ops are not an issue for Brisbane's current pavements.

Same goes for Adelaide where SQ are planning to visit on a welcome tour with their A380 next year.
 
As always, times are subject to change.

Looks like the delay into SIN will mean the A380 does not leave SIN untl about 9pm local time on Friday evening. So that now means a Saturday am arrival into BNE and not the mentioned 9pm Friday night time.

Given that QF52 departs SIN at 9:10pm and arrives into BNE at 6:45am, I would be assuming an arrival somewhere between 6 and 7am on Saturday morning.

Melbourne airport has stated a target departure time of 9am on Tuesday 15th.
 
More info

According to this website, it is due in at 8am on Saturday.

It also usefully lists the best vantage spots and how to get there, so worth keeping an eye on ....
 
Wouldn't they slow down Big Bird if she/he was due in too early?

Can't have the eager public (and punters) missing out on landings from what was advertised...
 
Re: More info

acampbel said:
According to this website, it is due in at 8am on Saturday.
So they are either expecting a 10pm departure from SIN (not the 9pm as listed elsewhere) or its taking the long route here for a sunrise photoshoot somewhere - Great Barrier Reef? Red Centre? Or its a lot slower than the A330 :shock: .
 
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Looks like an excellent chance for some VERY SERIOUS congestion around Airport Drive in BNE as the hordes of innocent shoppers heading for the new airport discount shops on Sat will only add to the melee.

Those potential A380 spotters stranded on the Gateway Bridge will have a good viewing platform - not.

I have a SIL travelling to Hong Kong next Tues/Wed (not sure) but have advised her to arrive many hours prior to liftoff due to second round of sightseers.

I might try the 380 Sun am departure but will even have to beat Sparrowf**t to get access. Pity the BNE QP isnt in a better position.
 
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