The Massive A380 Arrives At Oshkosh

Along with some of the smallest aircraft being built and flown around the world today, AirVenture has a reputation for going big when bringing aircraft to Oshkosh, and 2009 is no exception. Among the impressive sights this year is the largest passenger aircraft ever built.

A crowd gathered on the Wittman Field flightline Tuesday afternoon for the arrival of the Airbus A380, one of the centerpieces of AirVenture 2009.

The enormous airplane made several passes over airshow central, both clean and with gear and flaps deployed, before landing and taxiing to AeroShell Square. It had been flown the previous day from Toulouse, France to Milwaukee before making its grand entrance at the show. The A380 on display is one of two flight test and development airplanes. It will be open for visitors for a couple of days before departing on Friday, the first time Airbus has allowed self-guided public tours of the aircraft's interior. The visit will include presentations by program officials and flight crew.

EAA went to great lengths to make sure the massive airplane would fit, taking exact measurements of the ramps and taxiways at Wittman Field. ANN reporters learned that the airplane made the turn from the active runway with about 14 inches to spare on the ramp.

The vertical stabilizer is currently towering over AeroShell Square. In this instance, the phrase "you can't miss it" actually applies.

FMI: www.airbus.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews