The Airbus A380 is more fuel efficient than a family car
In the next few weeks, the world's biggest airliner, the Airbus A380, will take to the skies and the engineering challenge and multi-billion pound gamble of building the 555 seat, 600 tonne monster will be revealed in an exclusive Discovery Channel documentary premiering in May.
The documentary films the spectacular engineering involved in building the biggest wing, triple story fuselage, tallest tail fin, strongest undercarriage and most powerful engine. THE GIANT OF THE SKY: BUILDING THE AIRBUS A380 broadcasts on Discovery Channel exclusively on the Showtime television network from Sunday, 8th May at 22:00 KSA (23:00 UAE).
Designed in close collaboration with major airlines, airports and airworthiness authorities, the double-deck aircraft is the most advanced, spacious and efficient ever conceived using the very latest technologies for materials, systems and industrial processes.
Amazingly, the A380 is also the most fuel efficient aircraft ever built, consuming less than three litres of fuel per passenger over 100 kilometres (95 miles per imperial gallon) - a fuel burn comparable with the best of small modern turbo-diesel cars.
There are significant noise and emission reductions, too, because of the new generation engines and advanced wing and undercarriage design used in developing the aeroplane. The A380 generates half the noise level at take-off and carries 35 per cent more passengers than its competitor over distances such as London-Singapore and Los Angeles-Sydney.
Following the architects and engineers who have dedicated years of their lives to the biggest and possibly most risky peacetime engineering project ever, Discovery Channel films the A380 as it comes together exploring the risks and benefits of going big and getting the colossal structure into the air.
Tens of thousands of people have been involved in the project and there is no margin for error. The two episode documentary features the fascinating work, real jeopardy and fierce human pressure and passion involved in getting the project literally off the ground.
THE GIANT OF THE SKY: BUILDING THE AIRBUS A380 premieres on Discovery Channel on Sunday, 8th May at 22:00 KSA (23:00 UAE), exclusively on the Showtime television network.
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Discovery Communications, Inc.
Discovery Communications, Inc. is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company. DCI has grown from its core property, the Discovery Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global operations in more than 160 countries and territories with one billion cumulative subscribers. Outside the United States, Discovery offers 10 international brands, reaching nearly 560 million cumulative subscribers. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, nine Discovery television brands reach more than 145 million cumulative subscribers across more than 103 countries, with programming customized into 21 languages. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.
Issued on behalf of Discovery Networks Europe by Hill & Knowlton.
For further information please contact
Marianne Jumean at 009714-3344930 or
Marianne.jumean@hillandknowlton.com
© Press Release 2005
