Leviathan of the Sky
The A380 landing on CVG Runway 18L. There are20 wheels on the 4 main landing gear trucks!
CVG is a pretty busy airport. Around 65% of the air traffic is comprised of regional jets including Bombardier CRJ-200/700/900 and Embraer ERJ135/145 and 170 series. None of them carry over 90 passengers.
Yesterday was a pretty big day for CVG. The Airbus A380 stopped by for a promotional visit for all of the employees of the GE engine plant in Cincinnati. The A380's GP7000 engines are manufactured by Engine Alliance, joint venture of Pratt & Whitney & GE Aircraft Engines, headquartered in Cincinnati. The other engine choice for the A380 is manufactured by Rolls Royce/Trent.
After doing a low altitude fly over of the GE plant, the behemoth headed south for CVG in Northern Kentucky. It landed on runway 18L and taxied to the Airborne cargo ramp on the south end of the airport. It spent the day there giving GE employees the opportunity to see it up close and personal.
It was a big deal to see the A-380 here. CVG will never see service from an aircraft that size. Delta 767's are the biggest planes you'll see here.
It's going to be interesting taxiing behind one of these monsters. I bet full t/o thrust could turn a CRJ upside down.
Here are some more photos:
When I look at the main wheels, I can't fathom the heat those brakes must generate.
The size of the wings is what impresses me most. They are HUGE.
2 comments:
Hey friend! Sounds like things are going great...I'm so glad I got to start in the 1900 (dubbed by some as the "perfect first turbo-prop for the learning impaired) instead of the endlessly confusing looking CRJ :). Sounds like you're handling it with aplomb. I look forward to having lunch in BOS one of these days.
PS: I'm a little jealous that you got to see the 380...I'm more than a little interested to see one in person!
DANG!! That is big!
Glad to see the grass looks greener near the runway too.
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