Jet jocks and airliner drivers?

B A R R Y wrote:
Dudley, Bertie, Bob Moore, Capt. Doug...


On my recent viewing of the A380 low and slow passes over some P&W
locations, I remarked how quiet the airplane was. During these passes
the aircraft was noticeably pitched up (maybe 150 knots?), and
slightly "dirty", just as the far simpler craft I usually fly might be
in a similar "slow flight" situation. I've been told by P&W employees
that the plane was loaded up with ballast, and far from light.

The most common remark I get from non-pilots on the lack of noise is
"he was at idle", as they compare it to a plane descending. My
response is that the 380 was maneuvering and maintaining altitude,
which would require more than idle power, maybe a lot more, just like
a smaller craft being flown in it's own version of slow flight.

Am I thinking along the correct lines, that an airliner at a decent
weight would require more than idle power to maneuver and maintain a
constant altitude while slow? I have zero jet time, but this would
only make sense. The Pratt guys agree with me, but they haven't flown
airliners either.

Thanks!

I'm sure Moore is better qualified to answer you on the big stuff and
this crate is bigger than anything I've even ridden in as a passenger,
but my guess is that you are correct. If the aircraft was maintaining
altitude it would most certainly have power applied and probably quite a
lot of power. I will assume the engines on this bird are quieted down
somewhat as well, and airspeed with something this large can be deceiving.
The positive pitch angle on the fuselage would be normal depending on
several factors.
It's a monster!!! :-)

--
Dudley Henriques