Hmmm? how much time do you have in fifi?.....i have flown both and like them both. They are different aircraft for different times. Doesnt matter how long they can last. Do you see any airlines flying 707's around? (exept for travolta)

No one cares anymore about 100 year hull life. In 20-30 years planes will be depreciated to almost nothing in either case and will be replaced anyway as fast as technology is advancing and fuel is increasing. As to the life of Airbus products, what exactly is their longevity limitation? Narrow bodies are flying around over 20 years and counting, and some of the widebodies even longer, so far without any major longevity issues.

So how is it otherwise "garbage"? Besides that you personally don't like it for whatever reason?

thats a hyd back up pump using a PTU, same as on many Douglas planes.... works great.

Cracks me up how many guys talk crap about Airbus planes who've probably never flown one... I've flown Boeing, Douglas and Airbus and I frankly think Douglas makes the best airplane... and boeing and airbus are both on the same level... not since the original 747 has boeing been a leader.. since the A320, Airbus has been a good competitor... I don't hear all the Boeing koolaid drinkers knocking the 787 the way they knock the A380.

That noise you hear is the hydraulic PTU (power transfer unit). It is not a primary source hydraulic pump. It functions basically when there is ( I think...Since I am Boeing now...and brain-dumped bus) approximately 500 psi difference btw the green and yellow hyd systems. It transfers power from one hyd system to the other system to boost the lagging side pressure. Anytime one engine is shutdown and the other is operating, you will hear the PTU operate (unless the yellow pump is electrically operated or the PTU shut off). Hence the reason you hear it during one engine taxi or shutdown. It sounds like somebody sawing on the aircraft hull.

eh' never mind

And it comes back, full circle...
News Headlines

Alcoa Wins $1 Billion Aluminum Deal with Airbus
Published: Friday, 24 Jun 2011 | 11:57 AM ET Text Size
By: Reuters

U.S. aluminum producer Alcoa said Friday it has been awarded a multiyear agreement worth about $1 billion to supply metal for Airbus commercial aircraft.


It said the deal with the European planemaker calls for Alcoa [AA 15.29 0.01 (+0.07%) ] to provide aluminum sheet and plate using current and advanced-generation aluminum alloys, which are lighter and stronger than traditional metals and composites.

Terms of the agreement, reached this week at the Paris Air Show, were not disclosed, but Alcoa said the agreement has a value of about $1 billion over its life.

Alcoa's aluminum products will be used on most Airbus commercial aircraft, from short-range, single-aisle planes to long-haul jets, including the A380, the company said.

The aluminum, for fuselage panels and structural components as well as wing skins, will be supplied from plants in Davenport, Iowa, Kitts Green, England, and Belaya Kalitva in Russia.

Alcoa is the worlds largest aluminum supplier, I would be willing to bet that Boeing receives a lot of material from them too, although I don't no that for sure. Also it does not take as many employees to process and ship materials as it does to manufacture and assemble a complex machine like an aircraft.

you guys wana go on about this American pride and such and yet I'll be a large number of you shop at Walmart, and buy Chinese made garbage all the time (I try my best to avoid it when possible)... At least the EU employes people at 1st world wages and is a fair trade partner with the US... What's China buying from us that they're not busy working on how to copy and sell on their own? And how much do Chinese workers get paid when they make the stuff that we used to buy from our own factories?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CzbT1hGwmM

Actually I avoid anything made in China when at all possible, and its been more than 5 years since I have stepped foot in a wal mart or target. I don't like the big chain stores, I try to shop at the local mom and pops as much as I can.

good for you..we're the same in my family... I wear US or EU made cloths, and own a large amount of tools, all not made in China etc... sadly, the iphone, mac, etc.. are all now made there, but it's sometimes unavoidable..

I am sick of how Walmart goes into small towns, puts the mom and pop's out of business and then re-hires them as cashiers and greeters...

anyway, back to the regularly scheduled derailed thread..