Here are some larger Aircraft, some passenger, some cargo anad some fuel tankers. The sizes vary but they all have one thing in common, they have shaped the future of cargo transit, made urgent deliveries possible and certainly have a great role to play in humanitarian work. The people who keep them going are as amazing as the planes themselves, the amount of people involved in keeping the Aviation industry alive is outstanding, I have a great deal of time and respect for all involved.
The A380 Airbus dwarfs the other aircraft parked at the gates. At a length of 73 m and a height of 24.1 m this is a site to behold, with a maximum takeoff weight of 560 tonnes it is certainly a powerpack. A typical seating capacity is around 520 passengers (minus me) :)
Not quite so big is the A300 Airbus, although smaller than the A380 it is still a very popular and cost effective air transport.
This machine is an Antonov 225 with a Russian shuttle on board. With a wingspan of 290 feet and a height of 89 .4 feet this is the Largest plane in the world. It has 24 wheels to support the 276 foot long monster as it rumbles along the runway, with I might add , the possible 275 tonne load it can carry. Six Lotarev D-18T turbofans propel this huge fellow as it ploughs through the sky.
Without any doubt one of my favorite aircraft, the Boeing 707 was made in to many variations to mention. It has been widely used around the world as a passenger, cargo and even by many military's around the world as a fuel tanker. The 707 was the first truly successful commercial jetliner to enter the world stage. It was 144 feet in length, wingspan of 130 feet 10 inches, the most common power plants were four Pratt & Whitney JT3 jet engines.
Now to something a bit older but still a great aircraft of it's time. An Electra L188C powered by Four 2800kW (3750shp) Allison 501-D13 turboprops driving four blade constant speed propellers. Typical weights would have been ... Operating empty 27,895kg (61,500lb), max takeoff 52,664kg (116,000lb). Flightcrew of three. Single class seating for up to 104 passengers. Most aircraft are now configured as freighters, max payload weight is approximately 12 tonnes (26,000lb).
The "Spruce Goose" well, not much to be said here...it only made one flight and we will leave that right there :)
Wow, what a hell of a day, looking at websites does this to you. Tom and Jessica, guess you better click on them to carry on without 'em !!
