UAL T38 Phlyer

This question has been asked before, and each side has its vehement supporters, although the pro-Boeing guys seem to hate the Bus, while Bus guys just say they like the Bus better....

I've flown 727, 747-100/200/400, and got halfway through 777 school before being bumped by 9/11. I flew the A-320 for two years.

I like both, but I prefer the Bus:

1. More comfortable cockpit: seat, leg/arm room, side-stick, air conditioning, heated floor plates, tray table, bag stowage. Quieter.

2. Easier systems management. (Other than Boeing claiming the "Execute" button on the FMS was proprietary, and therefore, Honeywell was unable to use it on the Bus [according to my PI during Bus transition]).

3. Ease of Emergency Procedures, at least, in the sim. Very logical presentation on the glass.

Those who say you don't "fly" the Bus (due to fly-by-wire) should not like the 777 or 787, since they too are FBW.

Carl:

The 747 had a bank limit of (if I remember right) 7 degrees to prevent scraping an engine or trailing-edge flap. I'm pretty sure the bank-limiter on all the Busses is disabled when in Direct-law for the flare...just like Boeing guys have scraped both the outboard engines, flaps...and crushed the aft pressure-bulkhead, with disastrous results (twice due to bad repair jobs).

Any airplane can be damaged---or crashed---by a pilot who insists on it, regardless of the safety features.

FAULTPUSH

I would much much much rather be flying a 737 for the first and last 30 seconds of the flight (i.e. when you're hand flying the plane), but for the other 99% of the time, the bus is much nicer.

Boomer

Everyone thinks this photo captures a poor landing technique.

In reality, the 380 was just sitting there. There is a CRJ (just out of frame to the left) that clipped the 380's tail and gave it a good spin just as the photographer clicked the shutter.

Boomer

If you're going to get taken from behind, I guess you could say that Comair prefers Airbus... and ASA prefers Boeing.

80ktsClamp

One less Airbus.


(is that enough to get JoeMerchant all bent out of shape? )

Senior Skipper

Can I get a vote for July's post of the month?

Senior Skipper

...and I'll nominate this for a close second for July's post of the month

Boomer

Bummer... I was sure I had it with my "Difference is, Sulu can take the pounding" comment on the hard landings thread.

80ktsClamp

seconded on the second!

FastDEW

This question needs to be by product. Each size in the respective camps have advantage/disadvantage. Personally, I will fly the one that pays me the best or perhaps just pays me period.

I've flown the little maddog, the 757, the 320(s) and the 340. I've been on the deck of every Boeing and every Airbus product (commercial) except the 707 and 318. My thoughts on winner vs loser is:

737 vs 320 = 320 for sure, even tho the 737 climbs much better.
747 vs 340 = 747 no question
747 vs 380 = 380, even tho she is ugly, she sure rides nice and quiet
757 vs 321 = 321 but it is close. The 757 wins on performance, but I'd rather sit in the 321 front or back.
767 vs 330 = 767 for me. Just never got into the 330 and I feel the 767 is more fun.
777 vs 330 or 340 = 777 for sure. The 330 is meh, the 340 is nice, but the 777 is just right
787 vs ? = who knows.......

The reasoning is not all the same. Some climb better, some handle better, some are more comfy, some make more sense when talking to George and some are just better planes IMHO.......