Big entrance: the A380 takes to the skies
Despite the rain, visitors to the Le Bourget air show stood outside and gathered around big screens to watch the first flying display this afternoon. One screen was framed with advertising for the Airbus A350 XWB, which proved highly appropriate as it showed images of the flight test A380 taking part.
The Engine Alliance-powered aircraft took to the air in between energetic, acrobatic but noisy displays from two European fighter aircraft – the Rafale C and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
By contrast, the A380, which was piloted by Airbus pilots Jacques Rosay and Jean-Michael Roy, appeared enormous, elegant and graceful, but above all very quiet!
Le Bourget’s business airport stays open during the show and, with Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport only five nautical miles away, air traffic controllers really have their work cut out for them during the week of the show.
The A380 is starting to be a familiar sight over the skies of Paris now since Singapore started operating it from Charles de Gaulle earlier this year. However, for all those who braved the weather to watch it up close, the performance of what the commentator described as “the true long-distance liner of the air” was a real treat.
