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Airbus A380's slow climb attributed to size and weight

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Airbus A380's slow climb attributed to size and weight
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Webp kashwani
Ali Kashwani pilot at Emirates | Official Website

The Airbus A380, the largest commercial aircraft ever built, is known for its slow climb rate due to its massive size and weight. With a maximum takeoff weight of 575,000 kg (1,268,000 lbs), it is powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or Engine Alliance GP7200 engines. The A380 typically seats around 525 passengers across three cabin classes but can accommodate up to 853.

"The optimal rate of climb (ROC) of any aircraft will be down to the particulars of that flight," notes Simple Flying. The A380's thrust-to-weight ratio results in a slower climb rate compared to narrowbody jets like the Airbus A320. During initial climbs after takeoff, pilots rarely exceed 1,500 feet per minute (fpm). However, once reaching an altitude of 5,000 feet or above, the A380 can maintain a higher climb rate of around 2,500 fpm.

In comparison with other widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A350-900, the A380's initial climb rate is among the lowest in the industry. More modern designs like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner can maintain steeper ROC during initial climbs despite having fewer engines and lower weights.

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The descent rates for landing are also slower than other large planes. "As you might expect," says Simple Flying about descent rates for landing or other reasons; "the A380 has one of the lowest Rates of Descent (ROD) among widebody aircraft."

Only select airports worldwide can accommodate this 'Super Heavy' plane under ICAO's Aerodrome Reference Code F requirements due to its special needs regarding runway width and taxiway clearance.

Despite these operational challenges related primarily due its size rather than lack power - boasting maximum thrust from four engines totaling approximately 300k lbf - pilots praise how responsive handling makes flying manageable: "extremely responsive easy handle," said Emirates pilot Ali Kashwani while another noted being able slow down descend quicker compared smaller models within same family line-up thanks cockpit commonality feature allowing seamless transition between different types via Crew Cross Qualification process offered by manufacturer itself since first delivery back October fifteenth two thousand seven Singapore Airlines launch customer then onwards continued remain popular choice amongst carriers globally today still holds record most powerful commercial jet history according Airbus themselves equating horsepower equivalent around twenty-five hundred family cars combined!

Organizations Included in this History
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