On May 19, this Show News’ reporter was among a group of trade press journalists who had the opportunity to watch A380 MSN 001 make its eighth test flight. After a punctilious preparation and one technical delay, the giant rolled down the Toulouse runway, lifted off and was visible for a long time in the clear springtime sky. As the A380 faded from view, one of Airbus’ busy fleet of Beluga bulk transporters took off. “You could hear the Beluga,” someone observed. Even loaded with test gear and enough fuel for an eight-hour mission, the A380 was inaudible. — Bill Sweetman
