A380 Wing Flex

[Dillon]

Just wondering is it me or does the real A380 have greater wing flex than this outstanding model.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qantas/A ... 1635378/M/

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qantas/A ... 79fdfcb733

[Derek Mayer]

Hi Dillon,

It's hard to say. First off, your images are taken while the aircraft is in a turn, causing the wings to flex a bit more than they do in level flight due to the G forces/greater lift required. The wings aren't going to flex like that in cruise, just so everyone is aware.

In development we based our wingflex on head-on shots of the aircraft, such as these:

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/too ... RSHOW_.JPG
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_534/ ... 5z2bPa.jpg
http://www.aviationspectator.com/files/ ... 380-25.jpg
http://www.travigators.com/blog/wp-cont ... 108500.jpg

I once increased the wingflex to match what you see in the images you posted, but it looked far too pronounced when seen from the front. I guess it's possible the camera angle is a bit deceptive in banked shots as well.

[Dillon]

Derek all those shots have flaps extended. The same case can be made with flaps extended as you made with the aircraft being in a turn. We need some shots with the aircraft cleaned up (not in a turn) and not taking off to really see if there's more flex in the wings during flight.

[Propilot23k]

A380 in a no flap takeoff???? sounds nearly impossible to me lol

[esg]

You do realise the flaps are extended in the photos you've posted as well?