Boeing 797... blended wing?

[Stef]

Okay, I think I get your point too! I just thought with "price fixing" you were reffering to the government telling companies what to charge (e.g. a minimum price for cigarrettes of a maximum price for certain basic foodstuffs, like we have it here Austria).

Ah, wouldn't it be great if everybody on this world could talk things out like that? I don't think we could work it out anyway, because after all we'll both just have to wait and see how things develop.

One last point about the runway wear and tear aspects. In that wikipedia article I linked to, I read that the pressure of the tires is actually less than that of a 747, simply because the A380 has more tires. But I don't know if that is the sole criterion for the stress it puts on the asphalt...

[Ted_Stryker]

Okay, I think I get your point too! I just thought with "price fixing" you were reffering to the government telling companies what to charge (e.g. a minimum price for cigarrettes of a maximum price for certain basic foodstuffs, like we have it here Austria).

Ah, wouldn't it be great if everybody on this world could talk things out like that? I don't think we could work it out anyway, because after all we'll both just have to wait and see how things develop.

One last point about the runway wear and tear aspects. In that wikipedia article I linked to, I read that the pressure of the tires is actually less than that of a 747, simply because the A380 has more tires. But I don't know if that is the sole criterion for the stress it puts on the asphalt...

Stef,  I'm glad that we are able to communicate openly too.  I do apologize if I was phrasing things in a manner that was confusing.  It's one of those things that is easy to do when one has the concept in ones head and understands it, and then is trying to communicate it to others, regardless of the topic.  Sometimes concepts require things the tossed up and back a bit before all points are conveyed.  Economics is one area that tends to be more prone to this sort of thing due to the many flavors of economic styles, and what is common in one country is not in another, or not in the same way, so some meanings do get crossed.

As you say, we will simply have to wait and see how things work out. 

Not sure about the psi impact comparative to the 747.  I'll have to find out about that.  The problem is, however, distributed weight base or not, it's anywhere from 560 to 590 metric tons at takeoff weight, and 386 to 427 metric tons landing, and even if the concrete pad itself can hold up, the build-up under it needs reinforcement to avoid compaction over time, which can then lead to uneven surfaces, and potential for runway surface failure.  It's similar in that aspect to having your house settling and it's affects on the structure and ultimate structural integrity.

I did find another link with some interesting information, and even video, of the A-380.  Some interesting technical specs there too.

http://www.fraport.com/cms/a380/rubrik/7/7685.htm

[Stef]

Not sure about the psi impact comparative to the 747.  I'll have to find out about that.  The problem is, however, distributed weight base or not, it's anywhere from 560 to 590 metric tons at takeoff weight, and 386 to 427 metric tons landing, and even if the concrete pad itself can hold up, the build-up under it needs reinforcement to avoid compaction over time, which can then lead to uneven surfaces, and potential for runway surface failure.  It's similar in that aspect to having your house settling and it's affects on the structure and ultimate structural integrity.

That's an interesting point! Another point that both of us didn't think about yet is, that an emergency landing might be possible on many airports, but what happens a lot more often is that an airport is closed because of bad weather, terrorist threats... whatever. And then you need an alternate airport. I think that all aircraft have to have enough fuel on board to reach an alternate airport... But if the next alternative to LAX is Chicago, I wonder how much fuel they have to carry...

Stef,  I'm glad that we are able to communicate openly too.  I do apologize if I was phrasing things in a manner that was confusing.  It's one of those things that is easy to do when one has the concept in ones head and understands it, and then is trying to communicate it to others, regardless of the topic.  Sometimes concepts require things the tossed up and back a bit before all points are conveyed.  Economics is one area that tends to be more prone to this sort of thing due to the many flavors of economic styles, and what is common in one country is not in another, or not in the same way, so some meanings do get crossed.

Yes, you're absolutely right! That was always bothering me when I was still studying at university. The fact that it's not a natural but a social science makes the whole academic discipline of Economics very vague. Some people are throwing around with calculations and models, but even though they can solve some basic questions, they usually forget about the big picture. And then there's so many different theories with so many different special vocabularies that the representatives of two different schools of thought can't even talk to each other anymore... It gets even worse when you hear politicians talking!! They use technical terms in bloodcurdlingly wrong ways. But also it makes it much harder for us "mortals" to really lead a sound discussion. I think despite all the odds we were doing not so bad! 

[Ted_Stryker]

Not sure about the psi impact comparative to the 747.  I'll have to find out about that.  The problem is, however, distributed weight base or not, it's anywhere from 560 to 590 metric tons at takeoff weight, and 386 to 427 metric tons landing, and even if the concrete pad itself can hold up, the build-up under it needs reinforcement to avoid compaction over time, which can then lead to uneven surfaces, and potential for runway surface failure.  It's similar in that aspect to having your house settling and it's affects on the structure and ultimate structural integrity.

That's an interesting point! Another point that both of us didn't think about yet is, that an emergency landing might be possible on many airports, but what happens a lot more often is that an airport is closed because of bad weather, terrorist threats... whatever. And then you need an alternate airport. I think that all aircraft have to have enough fuel on board to reach an alternate airport... But if the next alternative to LAX is Chicago, I wonder how much fuel they have to carry...

Stef,  I'm glad that we are able to communicate openly too.  I do apologize if I was phrasing things in a manner that was confusing.  It's one of those things that is easy to do when one has the concept in ones head and understands it, and then is trying to communicate it to others, regardless of the topic.  Sometimes concepts require things the tossed up and back a bit before all points are conveyed.  Economics is one area that tends to be more prone to this sort of thing due to the many flavors of economic styles, and what is common in one country is not in another, or not in the same way, so some meanings do get crossed.

Yes, you're absolutely right! That was always bothering me when I was still studying at university. The fact that it's not a natural but a social science makes the whole academic discipline of Economics very vague. Some people are throwing around with calculations and models, but even though they can solve some basic questions, they usually forget about the big picture. And then there's so many different theories with so many different special vocabularies that the representatives of two different schools of thought can't even talk to each other anymore... It gets even worse when you hear politicians talking!! They use technical terms in bloodcurdlingly wrong ways. But also it makes it much harder for us "mortals" to really lead a sound discussion. I think despite all the odds we were doing not so bad! 

I still haven't been able to get an authoritative reading on what the weight range is for a 747's impact footprint in psi compared to the A380... but I haven't given up hope yet... I just need to track down the right people.  I'm sure that figures exist somewhere... at least on the 747 itself if not in comparitive form.

You're right about the weather diverts, etc.  I'm sure they must have a certain calculated reserve requirement, but the logistics of that, combined with the lack of emergency divert alternatives... well... let's say that I wouldn't be sleeping as comfortably as an A-380 pilot!   Emergent conditions always crop up in aviation.  Not having sufficient infrastructure to handle emergencies when hundreds of people's lives are at stake is... well.... irresponsible.  At least in my opinion.  Maybe it's the former C.A.P. officer in me... but I'd much rather err on the side of conservatism than bravado.

As for economics... one might even go so far as to say that, in many ways we've actually beaten the odds and then some!