Just watched the Airbus A380 take off....

[JustOne]

Just watched the Airbus A380 take off from Gatwick (Emirates), didn't look very big at all which was weird. Was only a few hundred feet from it, very quiet.... and slow! Looked like it was just trundling past as it was half way down the runway.

The other half has spent the day on board with loads of VIP's and visited the cockpit aswell as taking a ton of pics from within. I'm sure she'll tell me all about it when she gets home in an hour ..... weird she won't listen to my 'great rounds played' though!

 

[USER1999]

Saw one in hong kong. It was massive. Stunned it can get off the ground.

 

[Durango]

Flies right above our back 9 into Manchester Airport every Monday just before lunch. Massive plane but very quiet.

 

[Snelly]

It is fantastic. I have flown on one several times and it is the quietest, most comfortable aircraft ever built. Much better at handling the bumps too.

I didn't realise it had started to fly out of Gatwick yet? Interesting....

 

[USER1999]

Flew back from HK on a new 777. Pretty impressed. Premium economy, so not quite cattle class, but good leg room, a decent seat, plenty of space, a decent sized touch screen telly, loads of recline. New aircraft are way better than a few years ago.

Flight out was pants.

 

[philly169]

I saw the A380 at Farnborough airshow a year or two ago, the first finished one. It flew in landed and flew out, it was very very quiet I must say.. Compared to the raptor!!

 

[sweatysock41]

Flown to Singapore a few times on the 380. Prefer it to the 777 but have to admit the new 777s Air NZ fly to Auckland via LA from Heathrow are very impressive.

JO it doesn't really seem big until you are next to it or see it next to a 777 or 747.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I saw the maiden flight of Concord in 1969/70?
It came in for the Farnborough Air Show from Bristol right over the golf course. it was so low we could see the windows. We just stood open mouthed and so proud.

 

[Val]

I flew to New York on it, amazing this thing gets off e deck, it felt like it was going doing the runway for yanks before it took off.

 

[Slime]

I was at the back of my house in Chiddingfold, a week or so ago, when a Chinook flew over at less than 100 feet up. JESUS, what a noise, what a sight & the down draught nearly knocked me over.
It was awesome.

Slime.

 

[stevelev]

I was at the back of my house in Chiddingfold, a week or so ago, when a Chinook flew over at less than 100 feet up. JESUS, what a noise, what a sight & the down draught nearly knocked me over.
It was awesome.

Slime.

Nothing better than roping out of a Chinook, and flying in the rear with the tail down a bit some amazing views. The whump, whump is pretty distinctive, and can assure you its nowhere near as nce a ride as the Airbus, or even a London bus

 

[upsidedown]

A380, best plane I've flown on from Sydney to Dubai and return leg, made mincemeat of the 12 -13 hrs flight. Love the tail cam as you come into land

 

[G1BB0]

you want to do contour flying in a chinook.... awesome doesnt even come close

the US Galaxy transport plane is huuuuuuuuuuuuge, saw one in Riyadh (with a few A10's and Apache's) we were in awe of the US stuff. Last plane I flew on was a Hercules, no comment on that thing lol.

 

[brendy]

Biggest Ive been on is the 777 300-LR from Glasgow to Dubai then the same on to Singapore. Hated the spray they use each time you go through Sri Lanka, horrible. Plane was rather smooth though and the different mounted cameras kept the kids busy during landing and takeoffs.

 

[Basher]

You can keep your airbusses, chinooks, 777's and what have you.

For real national pride you just cannot beat the sound of the mighty RR Merlin engine of a Supermarine Spitfire flying overhead. The sound sends shivers down my spine as I think of all the brave souls who flew them defending our skies and country from the Luftwaffe. God bless them all.

 

[Slime]

I was given a flight in a Steerman last year to do some aerial photography for someone, that was pretty awesome as the passenger, (that was me), sits in the front seat!

Slime.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

You can keep your airbusses, chinooks, 777's and what have you.

For real national pride you just cannot beat the sound of the mighty RR Merlin engine of a Supermarine Spitfire flying overhead. The sound sends shivers down my spine as I think of all the brave souls who flew them defending our skies and country from the Luftwaffe. God bless them all.

When Maj had her Forces tribute day at Windsor Castle on a Saturday a few weeks back as part of the Jubilee weekend, we were in a match at Ascot and all the planes flew directly over head on the way to the castle. Slow play - not a problem.The whole course stood still and admired although the jets were a bit on the loud side

 

[tommyangles]

Apache helicopters having been flying over Reigate hill. Amazing bit of kit and always stop to admire. I would imagine truly terrifying if they were above your head in anger. Several tons of technology, hovering and bristling with weapons, no thanks!

 

[richart]

You can keep your airbusses, chinooks, 777's and what have you.

For real national pride you just cannot beat the sound of the mighty RR Merlin engine of a Supermarine Spitfire flying overhead. The sound sends shivers down my spine as I think of all the brave souls who flew them defending our skies and country from the Luftwaffe. God bless them all.

Well said. My father was one such pilot.

 

[Piece]

Vulcan bomber flying low over Wildwood. That was epic!