By Mike Mitchell

July 28, 2009, Airbus A380 landed yesterday at Mitchell International Airport and headed over to Oshkosh, Wisconsin at 3 PM for the annual Airshow. The Airbus A380 did several flybys and landed.  The A380 will be set up for visitors to tour the inside of the plane begin at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday. Mid day the A380 with depart with a couple of flybys and then depart the area.

A380 is the biggest jetliner in the world. The With three decks, suites, seating of up to 525 seats, sleeping areas and 220 windows. Two full length decks offering 50% more floor surface than any other high capacity aircraft. Broader seats more personal storage, better head room and wider stairs. Exceptional cabin air filtering systems, with four high level air outlets instead of the traditional two, the cabin air gets refreshed every three minutes.

The A380 has unmatched fuel efficiency, consuming less than three litres per 100 kilometres per passenger. Its new-generation engines, Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or Engine Alliance GP7000, and superb aerodynamic performance mean that the A380 not only complies with today’s noise limits, it is also significantly quieter than any other large aircraft either flying today. The A380 generates only half as much noise on take-off and landing as the previous largest passenger aircraft. The A380 starts from a baseline passenger aircraft with a capacity of 525 passengers in three classes, and a range of 8,200 nm. At the end of May 2009, a total firm orders for the A380 stand at 200 aircraft from 16 customers. Singapore Airlines took delivery of the first production A380 on 15th October 2007 and have eight aircraft in operation on routes from Singapore to Sydney, London and Tokyo. To date, 17 A380 have been delivered to its customers at a cost of about $320 million per aircraft.  

The A380 length 240 feet with a wing span of 262 feet and height 79 ft (equivalent to a six story building). Its cabin width for main deck is 21.6 feet and the upper deck is 19.4 feet. The A380 has a maximum operating speed of 587 mph , service ceiling of 43,030 feet and a range of 6,400 miles. The aircraft requires a runway take of length of 9,500 feet. Its fuel capacity is about 81,890 US gallons.

You can check out the A380 yourself through Friday at the Airventure in Oshkosh. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (formerly The EAA Annual Convention and Fly-In) is an annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts held each summer at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. The event is presented by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), a national/international organization based in Oshkosh. The airshow is seven days long and typically begins on the last Monday in July. The airport's control tower is the busiest control tower in the world during the gathering.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, has kicked its event at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The 57th annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) begain showcasing the best of aviation innovation and heritage.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, has kicked its event at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The 57th annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) begain showcasing the best of aviation innovation and heritage.  

Each year, EAA AirVenture welcomes more than 10,000 aircraft to the weeklong celebration, along with a total attendance of more than 500,000 visitors from 65 nations.  

“Simply put, Oshkosh is the place to be for anyone who enjoys flight, innovation and the best aviators’ gathering in the world, and this year it is an unmatched lineup of people, airplanes and programs,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. “EAA AirVenture is the international crossroads where people enjoy and celebrate the freedom of flight, and this year numerous improvements have been made throughout the grounds so the experience is even more enjoyable.”  

EAA AirVenture’s aircraft lineup is filled this year with the latest flight and space innovations along with the legendary aircraft of aviation’s first 100 years. The lineup includes a number of aircraft never before seen at Oshkosh, including Virgin Galactic’s VMS Mothership “Eve” and the massive Airbus A380.  

In addition, EAA AirVenture 2009 will offer nearly 1,000 forums, workshops and seminars; special activities for young people and families; aviation personalities and notables; and more than 2,500 showplanes of all descriptions. All of these activities are included in AirVenture admission, as are top-flight entertainment options throughout this week. 

EAA AirVenture 2009’s features and attractions include:                 

• Virgin Galactic’s VMS Mothership “Eve”, the next generation of space tourism launch vehicle, which will be on the grounds July 27-August 1;  

• The Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger airliner, making its first North American public air show appearance July 28-31;  

• Hear from the “Miracle on the Hudson” cockpit crew in command of US Airways flight 1549, as pilots Sully Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles recount their experiences that day last January;  

• Recognition of aviation’s important humanitarian work around the world in the weeklong Fly4Life activities;  

• The Erickson S-64F Aircrane helitanker, nicknamed “Elvis”; a heavy-duty, twin-engine firefighting helicopter that will make aerial displays;  

• More than 400 Warbirds that include aircraft from World War II and classic fighter jets, many flying in spectacular shows throughout the week (expanded programs July 31-Aug. 1);

• Modern military aircraft such as the C-5M and C-17 transports, and A-10, F-16 and F/A-18 fighters, including the popular Heritage Flights combining old and new aircraft;  

• A variety of special anniversaries, from the centennial of flight in Canada, 80th anniversary of the Pietenpol, 60th anniversary of the T-28 warbird, and 50th anniversary of the Cessna 150;  

• Upgraded areas throughout the grounds, including new pedestrian walkways, flush toilet facilities on the flight line and in the campgrounds, increased wi-fi coverage, and more;  

• Top-flight entertainment such as the Doobie Brothers on July 27, presented by Ford Motor Company; pilot/comedian Jeff Dunham on August 1, presented by Rotorway International; and nightly aviation movies under the stars July 26-August 1 at the Fly-In Theater.  

• More than 2,500 showplanes that include homebuilts, vintage models, ultralights, and seaplanes.  

The variety makes EAA AirVenture an outstanding value for individuals and families, with nearly every activity on the grounds, including the evening programs and concerts, part of admission.