Future of Airbus A380

Introduction
A growing global population means a growing demand for air transportation, which lead the airline industry to meet this demand by design new aircraft that can carry more passengers. To cope with the number of growing passenger without any negative impact of the environment is such a challenge for the aerospace industry to make larger and greener aircraft. The aim of build A380 is to carry more passengers, more quite plane, longer range, significantly reduced noise, reduce the maintenance cost of aircraft systems and give more comfort to the passengers. Thanks to engineers of new generation to build such a super jumbo aircraft, which is the most updated and the largest aircraft in the world installed with all latest technologies for materials and systems. An Airbus A380 can carry up to 853 passengers, and it is definitely a phenomenal feat of engineering. It is also environmental friendly aircraft, which create less fuel burn and emissions and less noise during take-off and landing compare to its closest competitor. The actual design of the plane was done in collaboration with more than 60 major airports to ensure compatibility.

Design of A380:
From a technology standpoint, the materials used in the construction of the A380 are very innovative which reduces the weight of the A 380 by 800 kg. About 25% of the A380 is made up of composites, 22% carbon fibre reinforced plastics and 3% of Glare. Glare is a laminate of alternative layer of Aluminium which is used in civilian aircraft for the first time. Glare has higher fatigue strength and it is also lighter than aluminium which makes it lighter aircraft compare to its nearer competitor. This super jumbo is a double-deck, wide-body; four-engine airliner can carry up to 853 passengers in economic configuration, which is 35% more than its nearest competitor. Its upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage which gives the aircraft more space compare to other modern aircrafts. Airbus A380 is a fuel efficient airliner, is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines; it is 28% more economical on a per passenger basis than the average figure. According to Airbus, A380 designed with 19,000 flight cycles, 140,000 flight hours or 25 years.

Environmental Friendly Aircraft:

The A380 is installed with the very latest technology and designed to have 10-15% more range, lower fuel burn and emissions, and less noise. As well as this operational benefit, the A380s construction and development has set of commitment to constructive ways towards greener skies. The A380 is environment friendly aircraft; it produces only about 75g of CO2 per passenger kilometer. The fuel consumption of this aircraft is around 13% lower fuel burns than other modern aircrafts. That will also help reduce the impact of exhaust gases on the atmosphere and the engine emissions are well below current international limits, contributing to improved air quality around the airports it serves. The A380 is the first long-haul aircraft with less than 3 liters per pax over 100km (95 miles per imperial gallon) fuel consumption which is comparable with the best of small modern turbo-diesel cars. Thanks to the engineers to develop new generation engines and advance wing and technology, the A380 will not only comply with current noise limits but will be quieter than todays largest airliner. It even creates lower noise than the A340 - one of the quietest aircraft in its category. The high-lift system enhancements include droop for take-off and reduced stat setting. The better take-off performance and lower approach speed reduce departure and arrival noise. As a result of lower noise the engine efficiency improvements continue to reduce the emissions. It has also gained ISO 14001, corporate certification, which ensures that it is an environmental friendly aircraft. Airbus A380 interior design is also equipped with modern technology, its twin; fulllength, wide-bodied cabin has exceptionally efficient air filters. It has four high level air outlets instead of the traditional two. This helps passengers to feel fresher, both during and after the flight and the cabin air gets refreshed every three minutes. By the use of revolutionary new composite materials in its construction, the A380 is lighter than its competitors.

Technology of A380

Airbus planes are equipped with modern technology. Future development of these technologies can be used in other aircrafts and technology products. Some of these technologies also can be used in other daily life product. In this article few of them are discussed below.

Speed Protection Technology: Airbus planes are equipped with latest technology, which prevent the pilot to climb of more than 30 degrees where it might lose lift and stall. The aircraft also protected against over speed. This over speed protection technology also could use in todays modern car, which will protect the driver from accident. It uses the electrical signals through wires to actuators that move the control surface according to pilots input.

Fuel Technology: An Airbus A380 is the worlds first ever flight by a commercial aircraft, which successfully completed a test flight programme by using a liquid fuel processed from gas (Gas to Liquids - GTL) to evaluate the environmental impact of alternative fuels. The A380 was chosen because the aircraft is already the environmental benchmark in air travel. A380s historic flight powered by an alternative fuel derived from gas (GTL) has shown that use of the GTL blend had no adverse impact on the engine, aircraft systems or materials. The purpose of this research is to evaluate sustainable alternative fuels for the future. As Airbus is committed to build aircraft that are part of the solution to the environmental challenges and alternative fuels research programme is the first step of long term testing. The benefit of the liquid fuel processed from gas (Gas to Liquids GTL) is quite friendly characteristics for local air quality. The key element to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in air transport and reduce GHG emissions by the air industry, the introduction of bio-fuels is necessary. The research program of testing GTL will help invent future second generation bio-fuels which might be used in many vehicles. Now days bio-fuels are also used in many vehicles, which is a renewable fuel that can be used instead of diesel fuel made from petroleum. Some of the manufactures are making car engines, which are suitable for running on bio-fuels. Bio-fuel is suitable for developing countries. Research shows that fuel consumption and engine performance are the same as in conventional diesel operations. The arrival of second and third generation alternative bio-fuels should lead to more efficient production.

IT System: The A380 embodies with the very latest communication and information systems technology. However, these new manufacturing systems are not only computer controlled, they are controlled by networked computers. These modern technology and electronic components could use in different product that is necessary in our daily life. The price of the electronic device could be cheapest in future. Now a days information technology is becoming a key part of everything the aerospace and defense industry. Future research also leads engineers to invent sophisticated devices and robotics equipments.

Economics of A380:

The number of passenger using air travel is increasing dramatically over last couple of decades. Airliners also interested in this super jumbo aircraft to stand in competition with other airliner. Airbus already booked for 154 aircraft, which help the company to the increase sales revenue of the business. Many airlines also offer cheapest price to the customer which provided an unprecedented opportunity for large parts of the population in developed economies to travel. Cheap air travels also allow the business and leisure travel to become an embedded part of the developed worlds culture. In recent years however, the rapid increase in the rise of oil prices, and in particularly jet fuel prices, has resulted in airlines around the world facing a pinch. In this case airbus A380 could be the solution as it can carry a larger amount of passenger at the same time and it is 28% more economical per passenger basic than the average figure for all of the aircraft sampled. The A380 offering passengers luxury travel at much more affordable prices Airbus A380 offer more comfort and more space for the every passengers to relax by offering broader seats, more personal storage, better head room, and wider stairs and appreciate the quietest cabin of any airliner currently flying. Airbus A380 provides a new way to cope with air traffic growth, reduced need for expansion of airports and research program could create more job opportunities.

Future of Airbus:

Airbus is always committed to build aircraft which is most advance and environment friendly. Airbus has successfully set up an innovative Environment Management System aimed to improve the environmental performance of the aircraft in order to make their aircraft environment friendly and sustainable. To make this possible it successfully complete a test flight by using liquid fuel from gas (Gas to liquid) to evaluate the impact of alternative fuel. According to sales executive and Chief operating officer of Airbus, the development of new A380-900 could carry up to 900 passengers in economy-only

configuration. The first A380-900s could be delivered to customers expected to be around 2015. Some of the airlines already expressed interest in the extended model including Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, and Air France.

Conclusion:
Airbus A380 is a real world solution for the cleaner, quieter and smarter way to fly for its levels of efficiency and environmental performance. With increasing numbers people using air transportation, this superjumbo jet provides a new way cope with this increasing air traffic, thanks to its unique capacity. In this way the passenger will be benefitted flying today and tomorrow. Further research and use of advance material leads the engineers to make lighter aircraft, improve aircraft system along with lower fuel burn and lesser noise. Airbus also tries to reduce CO2 emissions from its planes by half between now and 2020, said Louis Gallois, chief executive of the EADS unit, Forbes reports.

References:
1. Lovgren, S. (2005). Airbus Unveils A380 "Superjumbo" Jet. Available: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0118_050118_airbus.html . Last accessed 17 December 2010. 2. The Flight Group (2010). A380 A Flight Group Special Report. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=9139. [Accessed 17 December 2010]. 3. Gabbai, J. (2010). A Survey of the Aerospace Industry. Available: http://gabbai.com/academic/chapter-2 . Last accessed 17 December 2010. 4. European Biofuels. (2009). Biofuels for Air Travel. Available: http://www.biofuelstp.eu/air.html Last accessed 17 December 2010. 5. Image source: http://creativeandjokes.multiply.com/photos/album/28/