Aerospace Engineering - The Airbus A380
One specific product that is created by Airspace engineers is the Airbus A380. The A380 is the largest passenger aircraft in the world, and, in response to its massive size, many airports were forced to increase the size of their facilities to be able to accommodate this beast.
The Airbus A380 project was originally started in secret in 1988, with the aim of breaking the stranglehold that Boeing's 747 had had over the market of large passenger airliners since its introduction in the early 1970s. The project was officially started in 1994, in which it was designated the A3XX. The configuration of the A380 was finalised in 2001, and manufacturing of the component pieces of the 'Superjumbo' started in early 2002. The maiden flight of the A380 took place in April, 2005, and the first aircraft entered into service with Singapore Airlines in October, 2007. The unique, full length double-deck of the plane gives it a massive 478 square metres of available floor space, which is 50 percent more than the 747 it was designed to compete with. It is capable of seating a maximum of 853 people in its economy only configuration, and it has a range of 15,400 kilometres. The cruising speed of the A380 is around 900km/h.
The Airbus A380 makes use of advanced materials and technologies in its design. The four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines can produce and massive 75,000 pounds of force each, which can propel the Airbus A380 to a maximum speed of around 1000 km/h (Mach 0.96). Each plane contains around 530km of wiring. The use of advanced composite materials in over 20% of the A380's airframe is used to decrease weight and thus increase range. The use of advanced avionics first used in military aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor and the Dassault Rafale reduces the amount of wiring required and decreases latency.
A380 Specifications
Cockpit Crew - Two
Seating Capacity - 525 (3 class), 644 (2 class), 853 (1 class)
Length - 72.73m
Wingspan - 79.75m
Height - 24.45m
Wheelbase - 33.58m (wing landing gear), 36.85 (body landing gear)
Wheel track - 12.46m
Outside feselage width - 7.14m
Outside fuselage height - 8.41m
Maximum cabin width - 6.58m (main deck), 5.92m (upper deck)
Cabin length - 49.9 (main deck), 44.93m (upper deck)
Wing sweep - 33.5 degrees
Maximum take off weight - 560,000 kg
Maximum landing weight - 386,0000 kg
Maximum speed - 1020 km/h
Maximum operating speed - 945 km/h
Range - 15,400km
Service ceiling - 13,115m
Fuel capacity - 320,000 L
Total thrust - 1280 kN
Seating Capacity - 525 (3 class), 644 (2 class), 853 (1 class)
Length - 72.73m
Wingspan - 79.75m
Height - 24.45m
Wheelbase - 33.58m (wing landing gear), 36.85 (body landing gear)
Wheel track - 12.46m
Outside feselage width - 7.14m
Outside fuselage height - 8.41m
Maximum cabin width - 6.58m (main deck), 5.92m (upper deck)
Cabin length - 49.9 (main deck), 44.93m (upper deck)
Wing sweep - 33.5 degrees
Maximum take off weight - 560,000 kg
Maximum landing weight - 386,0000 kg
Maximum speed - 1020 km/h
Maximum operating speed - 945 km/h
Range - 15,400km
Service ceiling - 13,115m
Fuel capacity - 320,000 L
Total thrust - 1280 kN
Economic and Environmental Considerations
The Airbus A380 was designed to compete with the Boeing 747. Engine noise is quieter in the A380 than it is in the 747, and the plane was designed to be more efficient for the amount of passengers that it carried.
The Airbus A380 uses a considerable amount of fuel, though many efforts were taken to increase its fuel efficiency and range. Light weight materials were chosen, and an aerodynamic shape was designed to minimise drag. As such, for an aircraft of its size, the A380 is considerably fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.
The Airbus A380 uses a considerable amount of fuel, though many efforts were taken to increase its fuel efficiency and range. Light weight materials were chosen, and an aerodynamic shape was designed to minimise drag. As such, for an aircraft of its size, the A380 is considerably fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.