In view of the fact that a pilot flying another Airbus aircraft such as an A320 or A340 will find the same cockpit layout, operating procedures and flying characteristics through the fly-by-wire technology, this will decrease training costs. Airbus predicts that a pilot already qualified to fly another Airbus model of aircraft should be able to successfully transition to the A380 in very little time. A pilot not qualified to fly an Airbus 380 should be able to transition to the A380 in 25 days, which shows how easy the aircraft is to operate. .
The fact the aircraft will be as easy to fly seems unfeasible given the dimensions of the aircraft. Nearly 240 feet long with a wingspan of 261 feet, the A380 will weigh 1,235,000 pounds fully loaded. As of February 29th, 2004, Airbus has already received 129 orders from airlines for .
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the A380. These Airlines include Emirates Air, which has made the largest order for 43 aircraft so far, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Qatar Air, Singapore Air and Federal Express. .
The Airbus Company is betting heavily on selling the A380 to the Asian market, which holds the largest populations. The 900 seat expanded version of the A380 will most likely be seen flying in the Asian market, where passenger comforts are usually traded off for space. .
Historical trends in Aviation Accident Financial Losses.
Aviation accidents have existed since the birth of aviation and despite increasing gains in the field of safety they are prone to continue. According to the Aviation Safety Network's website www.aviation-safety.net, the accident rate worldwide continues to hold steady between 30 and 40 accidents a year. In most of the cases over the last decade, the total fatality rate average was about 80% per accident. .
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While each accident is a tragedy in and of itself, one of the greatest tragedies to enter the aircraft accident stage has been the extravagant lawsuits that have become almost commonplace now.