The A380
This morning, the world's largest passenger airliner performed a low-level fly-past in the harbour as part of an air expo here.
I really don't like that second photo, it's too reminscent of 9/11. Mind you, that's the true perspective of it, as it was flying below the top of our skyscrapers. NOT the usual flightpath for our airport and if I'd been in the high floors of that building (just across from my office building) I think I'd have been a bit freaked!
Airbus superjumbo jets through Hong Kong
HONG KONG (AFP) — The world's largest passenger jet, the new Airbus A380, flew over Hong Kong's harbour Monday below the skyline of some of the world's tallest buildings, an airspace normally reserved only for helicopters.
The double-decker plane made the flight across Victoria harbour ahead of the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, and then treated thrilled onlookers with a second fly-past minutes later.
The stunt took place despite the giant plane pranging its wing against an airport hangar in Bangkok Saturday, one of its destinations on an Asian tour to try and drum up business.
The bump caused slight damage to the tip of the left wing, officials said, but the plane was still able to fly on.
The plane was not allowed to fly below 1,000 feet (305 metres) during its fly-pass, Hong Kong aviation authorities had said, but it was still below the top of International Finance Centre Two, Hong Kong's tallest skyscraper.
Crowds gathered at harbourside to watch and photograph the flight, unusual for Hong Kong as planes are rarely given permission to fly directly through one of the world's most famous waterways.
The A380 heads to Seoul on Wednesday on the final stage of its tour.
Airbus now has 173 of the new planes on order from 14 clients. The first delivery, to Singapore Airlines, is due on October 15, and the first commercial flight, between Singapore and Sydney, is scheduled the same day.
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7 comments:
It looks HUGE! We could have a blogger party on one! *VBS*
The first thing I thought when I saw your post was....OMG! that does look a little too reminiscent of 9/11 doesn't it?
Nice view from you office!
Sunny - if configured for only economy, it could take 853 passengers but with the three-class system of long-haul, they are talking about 525 (vs. the 747-400 at 416). I can't even wrap my head around flying with 852 other passengers and I doubt they will ever config it to that layout, thank goodness!! The jumbos are more than big enough for me.
Happyme - those images just will never fade. I'm a bit lower than that but it was still flying behind the building in my view ;)
What a scene to board that thing!
Did you get my e-mail on the treat exchange? :)
It's one huge plane, that's for sure, I think I might go to Sydney on Oct 15th to see it land if I can!
That plane looks big enough to be a small apartment complex sailing through the sky.
I have enough airplane geek in me to be quite slobbery over your photos! My company had some orders for these, but they were dropped when the schedule could not be adhered to. Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see them on property someday.
Whatever else, it's an engineering triumph!
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