A380 to land at BDL for test flight - Could we plan a DO for that day?
 

The Hartford, CT paper business section announced on Saturday that Airbus will be landing a 380 at BDL for their next test flight to the US.

No date set yet.

Would anyone be interested in seeing the plane as part of a DO?

Whoops, looks like a date has been set, October 2nd

http://www.courant.com/business/hcu-...,7716146.story

"The giant bird will swoop down on Windsor Locks Oct. 2, with a mighty landing.

That's not a prophecy, it's confirmation from Airbus that its A380 superjumbo jet, the world's largest passenger jet, will fly into Bradley International Airport that day...Airbus is calling the visit a "demonstration tour." The aircraft coming to Hartford will make subsequent stops in Cincinnati and San Francisco. Airbus first flew an A380 to the U.S. in March, with stops in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC.

East-Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney makes an engine for the A380, along with partner General Electric. Rolls Royce makes a competing engine.

Bradley and Pratt spokesmen confirmed last Friday that Airbus would bring an A380 to Bradley in October. Airbus confirmed the Hartford arrival date of Oct. 2 and said the plane would depart the next day.

Can get there by 3:30 pm, perhaps as early as 2 pm if necessary.

Miss it by a week. Given my tight schedule that is probably a good thing.

Good news!
 

Looking at my travel schedule I should be in Cincinnati then. Any idea when it comes to CVG? Would anybody else be interested in a 380 sighting there?

I heard it on the news yesterday. Sounds cool. Count me in. Even if it's just the two of us let's meet up and see how close we can get ;)

Florin - meet us in CT!!

I'm down.

The next question is who can arrange for a tour? :)

I can probably attend a DO Oct 2 @ BDL for the super-jumbo. Can't confirm at this point as my schedule isn't set yet.

I would for sure. My schedule is so darn tight for that time frame but depending upon when it is scheduled for CVG, I'd like to see it.

BDL just won't work for me during that time, I'd love to get out there at some point as I want to make a roadtrip down to New Haven to try some pizza places I've read about.

If we can arrange a tour, that would be awesome. Anyone have any ideas or contacts?

Ask the mod to change the title to reflect a date; that would let folk know if they can make it or not. Cheers.

Bump ... anyone know any more? Any locals able to do anything, even make a dinner reservation?

Here's a post from this website:
http://www.airliners.net/discussions....main/3559499/

"ok here is the tentative schedule for the A380 tour in the US. (all times are local)

Oct 2- Dep TLS 0600 arrive BDL 0810
Oct 3- Dep BDL 0600 arrive CVG 0830
Oct 4- Dep CVG 1000 arrive SFO 1200
Oct 5- Dep SFO 1300 arrive TLS 0900+1

***However departure from SFO could be as late at 1445, depending on the Fleet Week Activities (can we say possible fly by?)*******"

No idea if it’s accurate, but if it is Mr. Kalkat and I would happily meet up with any FTers at BDL for the arrival On Oct 2.

I'm definitely still in for this. I'd be happy to find us a place to have dinner.

Edit: Here's a list of names at BDL operations. I will send some e-mails and can be pretty persuasive, but if anyone else feels like they can better handle the task of getting us as close as possible to this bird, please let me know before Monday when I will make contact.

Bradley International Airport General Information Number: (860) 292-2000
General Questions/Marketing: Stacey M. Doan [email protected]
Airport Media Relations: John Wallace, [email protected]
Ground Transportation Supervisor: Brian Baik, [email protected]
Lost & Found Items: State Police, (860) 292-7400

I'm still in too. I don't know much about dinner places in the area there unless we went down to Hartford.