THE AIRBUS A380 WAS CONCEIVED in the early 1990s to compete with, and if possible replace, the Boeing 747. Work began in earnest on what was then called the A3XX in 1994. Its maiden flight was in April 2005. The A380’s shape is subtly molded to minimize drag from its ovoid fuselage. The
structure makes extensive use of composite materials, such as thermoplastics and GLARE (aluminum and glass fiber). Its engines are very powerful, but also very efficient. It is claimed that when carrying 550 passengers, the A380 uses only ¾ gallon (2.9 liters) of fuel per passenger per 60 miles (100 km).
