IDWEST FLYER M AGAZINE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009

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midwestflyer.com EAA AIRVENTURE-OSHKOSH Airbus A380 Makes Appearance Like No Other Aircraft At Oshkosh

OSHKOSH, WIS. – The Airbus A380 was a huge success at EAA AirVenture-Oshkosh 2009, July 27-August 2, providing the first opportunity in North America for the global aviation community and the public to see the world᾽s largest passenger on static display and in flight. The A380 used Milwaukee General Mitchell Field as a staging point before arriving at , Oshkosh, Wis. on July 28 to kick off the with a flight demonstration. After commanding the stage through the remainder of the week on AeroShell Square, AirVenture᾽s main aircraft showcase area, the aircraft again opened the show on July 31 with a flight demonstration before its

Dave Weiman departure. EAA Chairman and President noted that EAA AirVenture-Oshkosh celebrates aviation᾽s pioneering spirit and the various demonstrations Cessna Citation of that spirit, large and small. With the A380 making an Maintenance Specialists appearance, he felt EAA had the “large” base well covered Maintenance Specialists this year. Fellow EAA member and Airbus test pilot, Captain Terry Lutz (an EAA member and RV8 builder), described the logistics of bringing the A380 to Oshkosh. The aircraft used only 5,500 of the 8,000 feet of available runway, and only one taxiway – P2 that goes to the AeroShell Square

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715-594-3761 Red Wing, Minnesota www.redwingaero.com Photo by Don Winkler AirVue FAA Certified CRS# R3WR714J Email: [email protected] 1200 people per hour toured the gigantic Airbus A380 at EAA AirVenture- Oshkosh. 24 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE aircraft display area, which was wide enough to handle the aircraft’s massive landing gear. The aircraft has 20 main landing gears. The aircraft flown in was A380 #004 – an aircraft used for flight tests. The 18,000 people who toured the aircraft (1200 per hour over a three- day period, July 29-31) were able to see the ballast water tanks used in the testing, and all of the testing equipment and aircraft wiring. A large jumbotron was positioned outside the aircraft so visitors standing in line could view the cockpit. For its departure, aircraft were cleared from the area, and the A380 used approximately 90% of the runway when departing on Rwy 18. It was anticipated that there could be as much as a 10 kt. tailwind. Each performance lasted 7 minutes, and each pass was within one flap setting from actual landing configuration. The demonstration highlighted the agility of the A380. The engines on the A380 were built by the “Engine Alliance” – a consortium between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney. Midwest Flyer Magazine asked Capt. Lutz about the public’s response to the jumbo jet, and he said that of the aircraft already in service, “passengers love it!” As for the response from commercial airports, Lutz said that the aircraft has been well received, requiring no more pavement load capability than a Boeing 747, and a loading time of 1 hour.

“Catering service has been the most Dave Weiman challenging,” said Lutz. Lutz was in the right seat when the A380 was flown to Oshkosh, and a chain saw motor. Compare this to to have the opportunity to work with Capt. Claude Lelaie was in the left the maximum weight of the A380 at McArtor again. seat. Lelaie first attended AirVenture approximately 1.2 million lbs. (561 When asked if Airbus has gotten as a member of a two-plane aerobatic metric tons), and a normal weight of ideas from EAA AirVenture, McArtor team, flying the diminutive “Cri Cri” 725,000 lbs. (330 metric tons). said, “We get inspiration from twin-engine ultralight years ago. The Former U.S. Air Force Oshkosh!” Cri-Cri is the world’s smallest twin- Thunderbird and FAA Administrator, Poberezny said prior to AirVenture engine airplane. It weighs just 375 T. Allan McArtor, is Chairman of 2009 that EAA expected good lbs. (170 kilos) and can fly 150 mph. Airbus Americas. Poberezny, who attendance, and that the appearance The thrust is generated from two AMT flew with the Eagles Aerobatic Team of the A380 would be a contributing Olympus Turbines, about the size of for 25 years, said that he was pleased factor, and he was right. q OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2009 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 25