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Giant A380 falling short of big billing
The Chicago Tribune ^ | June 26, 2005 | David Greising

Posted on 06/26/2005 9:13:29 PM PDT by ConservativeStatement

PARIS -- The A380, the superjumbo jet from Airbus SAS, was billed as "The Queen of the Paris Air Show" by the public address announcer as it promenaded down the tarmac en route to its slow-moving flyover of the Le Bourget airfield.

But on the sales floor, the A380 was the prom queen that couldn't get a date.

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: 787; a350; a380; airbus; airbust; airplanes; aviation; boeing; dreamliner; eurotrash; flyingtitanic; paris; planes
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1 posted on 06/26/2005 9:13:31 PM PDT by ConservativeStatement
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

The A-380 is the Edsel of the air industry.


2 posted on 06/26/2005 9:17:16 PM PDT by ProudVet77 (NASCAR - Because it's the way Americans drive.)
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"they're going to lose money on every one they sell."

ah...the European GM!


3 posted on 06/26/2005 9:18:18 PM PDT by KneelBeforeZod ( I'm going to open Cobra Kai dojos all over this valley!)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

Wow who would have thunk it ... A big blimp plane...


4 posted on 06/26/2005 9:19:21 PM PDT by Deetes (God Bless the Troops and their Family's)
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" Airbus officials denied any problems, saying simply that the landing gear takes nearly a half-minute to retract--too much time to retract and open the gear during the plane's five-minute time in the air at the show."

haw haw yeah right. then again... if a plane that big can be up and back down on the ground in "five minute(s)" maybe we should buy some to air lift tanks into battle zones. after someone can come up with a portable runway that can hold a million+ lbs....


5 posted on 06/26/2005 9:20:49 PM PDT by KneelBeforeZod ( I'm going to open Cobra Kai dojos all over this valley!)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

A380 = Bin Laden bait.


6 posted on 06/26/2005 9:26:43 PM PDT by Altair333 (Stop illegal immigration: George Allen in 2008)
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Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan; Clemenza
Customer unhappiness over the delays, even their threats of financial penalties, are merely an indication of the industry's need for the plane, Leahy said.

Does Leahy always use this much spin?

8 posted on 06/26/2005 9:29:25 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Andrew Heyward's got to go!)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan; COEXERJ145; microgood; liberallarry; cmsgop; shaggy eel; RayChuang88; ...

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail not by posting to this thread.

9 posted on 06/26/2005 9:46:17 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Andrew Heyward's got to go!)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

I watched a detailed report regarding the development of the A380. Some the manufacturing process was very impressive to me. I'm sure the manufacturing of the Boeing aircraft would be nearly as impressive.

That these aircraft fly at all, baffles me. LOL

BTW, it takes me longer than thirty seconds to get my landing gear down in the morning. Heh heh heh...


10 posted on 06/26/2005 9:48:59 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (US socialist liberalism would be dead without the help of politicians who claim to be conservative.)
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To: Paleo Conservative
When I was at the Paris Air Show, Leahy shot his mouth off about how he expected that Airbus would again outsell Boeing this year. This occurred at the Qatar A350 press conference, about 10 minutes before Forgeard entered the room. Later that day, EADS issued a statement contradicting Leahy's claim.

I still admire his skills as a salesmen, however. He is also a fellow Ram. ;-)

11 posted on 06/26/2005 9:51:10 PM PDT by Clemenza (Frylock is my Homeboy)
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To: KneelBeforeZod

The landing gear problem was on the 'making of' show hosted by John Travolta. The episode I saw had them repair the problem with a layer of Teflon on the part of the door that it rubbed on. On the static tests, it still hung up but eventually did deploy. The guy who I guess was in the position to accept or reject the plane (he was the testing manager I believe) didn't like the problem but didn't want to delay the plane any more than it already was.

Great documentary. Especially if you read between the lines.


12 posted on 06/26/2005 9:51:34 PM PDT by Lx (Do you like it, do you like it Scott? I call it Mr. and Mrs. Tennerman chili.)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

Do you have to log in to read the link?


13 posted on 06/26/2005 10:00:03 PM PDT by hattend (Alaska....in a time warp all it's own!)
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To: hattend

Disregard, it finally loaded.


14 posted on 06/26/2005 10:00:52 PM PDT by hattend (Alaska....in a time warp all it's own!)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
Mallya's main business is UB Group, one of the world's largest liquormakers. He plans to use the A380s to build the brand name of Kingfisher, an airline named after UB's popular beer.

If we can have this, why not a Budweiser Airlines?

15 posted on 06/26/2005 10:02:39 PM PDT by The Red Zone (Florida, the sun-shame state, and Illinois the chicken injun.)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
I came just a little short of breath to read, "Giant A380 falling...."
16 posted on 06/26/2005 10:04:42 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: The Red Zone

If nothing else, Hooters Airlines is expanding -- so to speak.


17 posted on 06/26/2005 10:20:49 PM PDT by ConservativeStatement
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

Boeing is doing great with their new planes. They have much better per passenger fuel efficiences and ranges than the A380. The A380 is going to be a big flop.


18 posted on 06/26/2005 10:44:01 PM PDT by Odyssey-x
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
Hooters Airlines is expanding -- so to speak...Bustin' Out? :D
19 posted on 06/26/2005 10:57:09 PM PDT by skinkinthegrass (Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you :^)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

The article tells me Airbus has so far sold 140 A380, months before first delivery. They need to sell about 300 A380 to break even on the project. Those who see Airbus fail must be suffering from wishful thinking.


20 posted on 06/27/2005 4:11:25 AM PDT by sumocide
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