EADS Journal on Farnborough 2008
July 17, 2008: The Right Stuff
Taking a guided tour of the A380 hosted by Peter Chandler, project pilot for the aircraft, is, for a "planespotter" like a lottery win on Christmas day. Standing under the main fuselage looking out along the curving underside of the wing is a breathtaking sight. It puts you in your place as you feel the sheer scale of the aircraft above you (capable of carrying 150 tonnes of fuel and certified for up to 850 passengers). Inside the aircraft it was equally awe inspiring - until one nerve shredding moment. This particular plane spotter first panicked and then quickly grew sickeningly convinced that he had accidentally broken the stick control on the most advanced aircraft on Earth. Luckily assurance came from test pilot Peter Chandler. The loud noise and violent shaking of the stick were "absolutely normal" he said. There is more than one reason they say those Test Pilots are made of the right stuff!
