There’s something I need to make clear to all the irrational, jingoistic would-be aviation pundits out there: Airbus aircraft are no more dangerous than their Boeing counterparts. Because of the recent crashes of Air France Flight 447 and Yemenia Flight 626, the Interwebz are ablaze with ignorant armchair aeronautical engineers insisting that the consecutive crashes involving Airbus-built jets are proof that they are inferior to Boeing. I’m just waiting for some chawbacon to blame it on the godless socialist European employees of Airbus. Jeez.
Here are some of the issues raised:
-Fly by wire: Most of your newer Boeing aircraft also use it. And it works extremely well for the military forces of the world flying under much more extreme circumstances, don’t you think? And yes, the auto features can be disengaged. Here’s where you need to look to get some education if you think otherwise.
-Composite components: Again, look to military aircraft. Composites are not causing a problem there, are they?
Let’s remember this – Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s plane was an Airbus. He plopped it down on the Hudson and it survived, and nobody was killed or even seriously injured. Of course, that is the third recent loss of a mainline aircraft involving an Airbus.
But statistically speaking, that’s not so unexpected. If two Boeings in a row crashed, would we call for the Boeings to be grounded? Nope. It’s happened before, and nobody pointed fingers at Boeing.
Look, Airbus makes a perfectly fine aircraft. Statistically, it’s no less safe than a Boeing. I’ll happily fly in one and laugh at those who are afraid to fly in something because it wasn’t built by ‘muricans.
Frankly, I’d be happy if the “If it ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going” crowd would stop flying. That just means fewer people to perpetuate the loud-talking, Hawaiian shirt-wearing, fat, cheeseburger-eating, buffet-seeking, ugly American stereotype.
A few more important points:
• This crash has nothing to do with France. This aircraft’s flight did not originate from France, but from Yemen.
• Also, contrary to an Airbus-o-phile’s post on SFGate.com, an Airbus is not more comfortable by default. That all has to do with the way the airline chooses to configure the aircraft.
Here’s a great synopsis of the Airbus versus Boeing debate, featuring Patrick Smith.
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Well said/well written! You raise some excellent points, and have the facts to back them. I enjoy reading intelligent, well informed posts! (as yours always are!!)
Hey! I like cheeseburgers! *bows head in shame*
Well, then – that settles it! It’s New Zealand for you so you can not only see Waiotapu, but so you can do something I didn’t do: get a cheeseburger at the mighty Fergberger (a name which continues to amuse my perverted brothers … and yeah, me, too).
Boeing for ever.
I never travel in any airbus planes !
Good call. Boeings never crash. (rolls eyes)