Excellent Quote
"I can't underestimate the size and importance of this deal."
Might be a bit more impressive if he said he couldn't overestimate it.
Airbus is celebrating the "biggest single order in commercial aviation history" today, having secured a Memorandum of Understanding from Indian operator IndiGo for 180 Airbus A320s. Louis Gallois, chief executive of Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), enthused to the press: "It is the best way …
I think the main issue is the long delays and cost overruns suffered by the A380 - IIRC many potential customers god bored waiting and bought 747s instead.
Same for the 787 - The delay is the problem in securing orders - we will have to wait until it is in service before RR Trent 1000s start blowing big holes in them also.
yes, really good, so long as it did not have to fly for 10 minutes more than it did.
Dont confuse good luck in timing with good engineering.
I prefer Boeings over Airbus for one simple reason. Pilot can over-ride stupid computer as a last resort. After decades in IT, I dont trust computers that cant be turned off. Helicopters, well at least they sort of fly.
I think you'll find the way embedded control systems are built is a little different to the stuff you're used to in IT. I come from an (analogue) control engineering background and moved into digital systems. My discussions with my 'PC' and 'IT' development cousins three bays down often leave me white with shock.
AC cause they read the reg as well.
Which is for AB320s, where the Boeing competitor is the 737 (that Boeing has been delivering rather successfully for the last 45 years). The Airbus (approximate) equivalent to the 787 is the 350, yet to take to the skies and facing similar challenges from a very significant proportion of composite construction.
Mine's the anorak, ta.
An engine exploding was bad luck.
But having it explode because of a small fault in a minor component that was repeated on several a/c shows a potentially terminal failure of QC .
It used to be the case that a passenger looked out of the window and was reassured to see the RR badge on an engine cowling. Not now.
So...a huge order, ooops, Memoranda of Understanding with a small carrier that has, at present about 15 aircraft. And few gates and aircraft parking places at India's airports.
I wouldn't bend my arm out of shape congratulating myself if I were Airbus - it is hugely likely that the actual order paid for and delivered will be MUCH smaller...
Where's Lewis's article explaining why it would have been much more sensible to buy American?
"actual order paid for and delivered will be MUCH smaller..."
Surely it's "delivered and paid for?" Or are these things paid for in advance nowadays (might be sensible)?
Anyway, even if the price of aviation fuel doesn't go through the roof (which of course it will), the size of the alleged order borders on almost infinitely improbable. Cup of tea, anyone?
"prefer Boeing because ... Pilot can over-ride stupid computer as a last resort. "
Apart from the one(s) that control the engines. And maybe others I don't know about.