The A380 Will Kick Off July 28 Air Show, Stay Through Friday

If you thought last year's Oshkosh arrival of the Boeing 747-derived "Dreamlifter" was huge... just wait. The Experimental Aircraft Association announced Wednesday the Airbus A380 superjumbo will arrive and perform a flight demonstration to kick off the Tuesday, July 28 air show at AirVenture 2009.

After commanding the stage through the remainder of the week on AeroShell Square, AirVenture's main aircraft showcase area, it will open the air show again on Friday, July 31 with a flight demonstration before its departure. This will be the first public exhibition of the massive superjumbo at a North American aviation event.

"I'm pleased that Airbus chose EAA AirVenture Oshkosh as its first occasion in North America to provide an up-close and personal look at the A380," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "The aircraft will stand out among the impressive lineup of features and attractions coming this year. The A380 represents an amazing feat of aircraft design, engineering, and construction ... and it will hold the distinction of being the largest passenger aircraft ever to have filled our sky and rolled onto our ramp," he said.

"The Airbus team is very grateful to EAA for hosting the A380 this summer," said Airbus Americas Chairman T. Allan McArtor. "We have been looking forward to bringing the aircraft to AirVenture, where the innovative accomplishments of global aviation take the spotlight. It makes perfect sense for the A380 to be featured at Oshkosh - not only because it is the largest passenger aircraft in history, but also because the remarkable A380 would not have been possible without the considerable support of our airline- and supplier-partners from around the world who worked with us over many years to make the aircraft a reality."

The A380's visit marks the second time this decade Airbus has brought a crowd-pleasing aircraft to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. In 2003, the Airbus A300-600ST (known as the "Beluga") made an appearance in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight.

"AirVenture Oshkosh celebrates aviation's pioneering spirit and the various demonstrations of that spirit, large and small. With the A380 coming, I'd say we have the 'large' base covered this year," Poberezny said.

EAA officials say they're in talks with Airbus personnel to "tell their story" at AirVenture. Announcements of details will follow. Additionally, Airbus officials will be on hand with the A380 as it stands on AeroShell Square, to answer questions and to point out noteworthy features.

FMI: www.airventure.org, www.eaa.org, www.airbus.com