Are A380s being phased out?
The final Airbus A380 ever to be built has been handed over to its new owners, the Dubai-based carrier Emirates. It is a landmark moment. The giant of the skies will continue to fly, but its long-term future remains uncertain.
Why does the A380 have curved wings?
The ‘curve’ near the root means that the landing gear in the wings could be as short as possible while being long enough to prevent a tail strike during rotation and allowing the spar to pass below the floor. The shape also allows enough ground clearance for the inboard engines.
What will replace the A380?
A350
The Airbus A380 is a groundbreaking aircraft in many respects. However, in most cases, its success was short-lived, and its position as Airbus’ flagship aircraft is rapidly coming to an end. Its successor, the A350, has proven itself fit for the future, with a strong order book and a vast array of airline users.
Why do airplane wings have tips?
Winglets help mitigate the effects of “induced drag.” When an aircraft is in flight, the air pressure on top of the wing is lower than the air pressure under the wing. Near the wing tips, the high-pressure air under the wing rushes to the lower-pressure areas on top, which results in the creation of vortices.
Why do airplane wing tips point up?
High pressure on the lower surface creates a natural airflow that makes its way to the wingtip and curls upward around it.
Why does the 777x have folding wingtips?
The first and most important reason to add the folding mechanism to the wingtips was so that the giant bird could access a greater range of airports. Its huge 235 ft 5 in wingspan is a full 11 feet longer than its predecessor, making it too wide to land at a Code E airport.
Why are the A380’s wings designed like this?
The A380 wings are designed to be the most efficient while still inside the 80m ‘box’ for efficient airport operations. The result is a clean slate design which used CFD extensively to get the most efficient aerodynamic design possible. The ‘curve’ near the root means that the landing gear in the wings could be as short as possible…
What is the A380 thesis?
The thesis was one of the first steps to the final A380. The differences between the final design and the design in the thesis are marginal. The reason is that the initial idea was to limit the design for the thesis to the constrains of the airport infrastructure.
What makes the A380 the most efficient aircraft?
The A380 wings are designed to be the most efficient while still inside the 80m ‘box’ for efficient airport operations. The result is a clean slate design which used CFD extensively to get the most efficient aerodynamic design possible.
How many decks does the Airbus A380 have?
It has two full-length decks with widebody dimensions. With more seats than any other aircraft, the A380 offers a solution for traffic growth and airport congestion as we emerge from the pandemic.