Airbus A380: World’s Largest and Most Advanced Airliner

Airbus A380: World’s Largest and Most Advanced Airliner

The largest airliner in the world, the A380 is a double-deck, widebody airliner from the house of Airbus. Its success is attributed to cutting edge technology and innovation which is evident from the fact that more than 380 applications filed for various technology patents that went into making the world’s most advanced aircraft.

The engineers of Airbus had been working secretly on developing an ultra-high-capacity airliner since 1988 but the project for A380 was formally announced in 1990. The primary focus of the company was a 15% reduction in operating costs. Dubbed by the media as the Gentle Giant, the A380 is now not only in regular service but has become extremely popular with airlines as well as passengers.

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Types of Aircraft

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/02typesofaircrafts.mp3|titles=Types of Aircrafts]TOPIC: Types of Aircraft

GOAL: To learn about the various types of aircraft

Level: Easy

Exercise #1: Read about types of aircraft and then proceed to Exercise #2

Going to an airshow can be a great experience. This is true, not only for the aerial demonstrations, but also the opportunity to see a wide variety of aircraft on static display. At these events, one quickly realizes there are many kinds of designs created with a particular mission in mind.

An aircraft is a vessel designed to move through the air. An airplane is a popular example of this type of vessel but there are many others. Helicopters, airships, and hot air balloons are also examples of different types of aircraft. An airplane may be one of the most recognizable types of aircraft. These vessels have fixed wings and propellers. Their body styles can greatly vary as there are many types and sizes of airplanes used for numerous reasons. These include seaplanes and jets.

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Grammar: There is/There are

Grammar point: There is / There are (easy)

Aim

• Practice English skills in an aviation context
• Practice dialogue with countable and uncountable, present tense
• Have fun!

FA1: Quick! This man is having trouble breathing.  There is a bag under his seat, please have a look and see if you can find any medication.

FA2: Okay… Wow, there is a lot of stuff in here!  There’s a squashed banana and there’s an MP3 player… there are some pens, and there are some stamps… there are a few jelly beans, and there are a couple of bandaids… but I can’t see any medicine.

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Airline vs. Executive Aviation

TOPIC: Airline vs. executive aviation

GOAL: To compare airline flying versus working in executive aviation

Exercise #1: Read about the differences between airline flying and executive aviation and then proceed to Exercise #2

The physical aspects of flying an airplane are fairly similar in most segments of the aviation industry. However, the overall economic scope and nature of this flying can be quite different, depending on the segment. A good case is the comparison between executive/business aviation and the airline market.  Both operate a range of turboprop and jet aircraft but their use and customer base is very different.

So, we know that the typical airline passenger is the casual traveler, and frequently, a businessman/woman flying to a major market. But who uses business aviation? The answer is: companies and individuals seeking a fast, hassle-free option of air travel. While companies that rely on business aviation represent many different professions and locations, they all have one thing in common: the need for fast, flexible, safe, secure and cost-effective access to destinations across their country and around the world. Business aircraft allow employees to make a trip involving stops at several locations, then return to headquarters the same day. Hundreds or thousands of dollars can be saved on hotel rooms, rental cars, meals and other expenses that would be needed to make the same trip over several days via auto, train or airline transport. Because employees can meet, plan and work with each other aboard business aircraft, productivity en route is greatly enhanced.

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The Cockpit

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/10thecockpit.mp3|titles=The Cockpit]The Cockpit

The cockpit is the area in the front of the aircraft from where a pilot controls the aircraft. Referred to as flight deck on an airliner, it is basically the driver’s seat. However, the things that go on in a cockpit are far more complicated than what happens behind the wheel. The cockpit comprises of an instrument panel and controls which allow the pilot to fly the aircraft.

The cockpit of an aircraft has undergone a dramatic change over the years. After all the changes, the layout has been standardized today. Modern cockpits are fully computerized and the manual flight control has been replaced by a fly-by-wire system with an electronic interface and the control column with an electronic side-stick.

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Helicopters

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/08helicopters.mp3|titles=Helicopters]TOPIC: Helicopters

GOAL: To learn about helicopters’ use and how they operate

Level: Easy

Exercise #1: Read about helicopters and then proceed to Exercise #2

Helicopters are the most versatile flying machines in existence today. This versatility gives the pilot complete access to three-dimensional space in a way that no airplane can. If you have ever flown in a helicopter you know that its abilities are exhilarating. The amazing flexibility of helicopters means that they can fly almost anywhere. However, it also means that flying these machines is complicated. The pilot has to think in three dimensions and must use both arms and both legs constantly to keep a helicopter in the air. Piloting a helicopter requires a great deal of training and skill, as well as continuous attention to what is happening with the aircraft.

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Parts of an Aircraft

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/04partsofanaircraft.mp3|titles=Parts of an Aircraft]TOPIC: Parts of an Aircraft

GOAL: To learn the major parts of an aircraft by location and function

Level: Easy

1. Read about the various major parts of an airplane, then proceed to Step 2

Although there are many aircraft designs flying today, most of them share a common assembly of major parts that all pilots should be thoroughly aware of. Ever since the early days of aviation, an aviator’s primary training included the fundamental knowledge of what each part is called, its function and where it is located.

Each major part of a fixed-wing aircraft serves an important purpose. For example, the propeller helps move the aircraft through the air via thrust. The wings are lifting bodies which help keep the aircraft airborne. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers contain vital control surfaces; and the fuselage is a major structural component containing crew and passenger areas.

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Ash Clouds

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/14ashclouds.mp3|titles=Ash Clouds]TOPIC: Ash Clouds

GOAL: To learn about ash cloud’s effect on traffic and how to deal with an encounter.

Level: Medium

Exercise #1: Read about the dangers of flying through ash clouds and how to handle such a situation.

In April 2010, Europe's skies remained largely closed for several days after a mass of volcanic ash which originated from Iceland blanketed the continent causing crippling flight delays. Due to the disruptions to air traffic, a major portion of 22,000 scheduled flights destined to take off from locations throughout Europe were cancelled. In fact, only 6,000 departed during the near weeklong event. The International Air Transport Association estimated the air traffic interruptions caused approximately $200 million in damage a day. Contrary to popular belief, flying through ash will not completely destroy an aircraft in seconds, but the abrasive particles will certainly cause great exterior and electrical damage to airplanes flying through the clouds over a very short period time.

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Jet Engines

The Good Old B52: America’s Veteran Bomber

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/07goodoldb52.mp3|titles=The good old B52 Bomber]The Good Old B52: America’s Veteran Bomber

Despite more sophisticated aircrafts, the B52 jet powered strategic bomber has been in active service since 1955. While much of it is attributed to the USAF teams that have maintained the aircraft, the main reason has been superior performance at sub supersonic speeds and relatively low operating costs. The B52 is slated to be in active service until 2040, 85 years since its commissioning.

Even before the production of B-36 started, the requirement for a bomber with a larger operational radius and greater speed was issued. The B52 was primarily meant for deterrent missions during the cold war era and designed as a high-level nuclear bomber that could take on the Soviet Union. That however became difficult with the arrival of SAM missiles. That was when B52 took on the role of a low-level bomber.

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