While in London - Keith and I attended the International Air Show. Not only is it for airplane enthusiasts - they are selling planes to companies and countries.
You know you are getting old when you are more impressed by large practical transport planes than the small "sports car" types. Although the F-35 and Eurofighter were really hot - the plane that opened my mouth wide was the new Airbus 380.
Airbus is the direct competitor of Boeing. They make a majority of Europe's commercial airliners. Their newest is both practical and beautiful.
Simply - the Airbus 380 is bigger than a football field. It can carry 600 seated passengers. It has four - large - quiet - efficient engines. Passengers ride on two full decks - almost like a cruise ship.
During the demonstration at London - the pilot fired it up and made a super short takeoff - almost like on an aircraft carrier. I was surprised at what seemed like a rocket assisted launch - though it was done without the expected noise. No sooner was the plane off the ground when the pilot did a wingover and made a full 180 degree turn and came back over the field. After a series of lazy figure eights - he did a low pass over the crowd that squealed with pleasure. The jet was going so slowly you expected it to fall out of the sky.
After about 20 minutes of some spectacular showing off - the crew made a really short quick landing - taxied up to the crowd - opened the doors - and invited everyone in for a tour.
This was one of the greatest sales pitches I have ever seen. I was even checking my wallet to see if I had enough cash to buy one.
