Needed: Safe Home for Super Aircraft

Where will airline companies house the new Airbus A380?

December 12, 2003; Updated on May 8, 2006

by Kris Garrison

Airbus officials claim the new Airbus A380 (now under construction) is the largest, most advanced and efficient commercial airliner ever conceived and that it solves the growing demand for air travel.

Our question is this: How do airline companies protect these huge financial investments?

Purchasing a $250 million dollar aircraft, then housing it in a flimsy building subject to high wind destruction just doesn't make sense. Neither does leaving the plane unprotected from the elements or not providing a suitable place for routine maintenance and repairs.

Is the new Monolithic Hangar the answer?

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To meet the growing need for aircraft protection, Monolithic has developed the Monolithic Hangar and the Monolithic Hangar Door. Because it's constructed like a Monolithic Dome, the Monolithic Hangar can withstand natural or man-made disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes and fire. And it can be designed for virtually any size aircraft.

But it's the patented* hangar door that really makes the Monolithic Hangar unique. Its three-dimensional curve allows the door to withstand high winds and provide security. It remains in one piece and simply rotates itself to the inside of the Monolithic Dome Hangar. This one-piece design also means the door can be as heavy as necessary and still be easily moved. Smaller doors can be opened and closed by hand; larger ones by motorized hangar modules.

*On March 21, 2006, Monolithic's president David B. South was issued U. S. Patent 7,013,607 for his invention: the Monolithic Contoured Laterally Moveable Access Door.

What size Monolithic Hangar does the Airbus A380 require?

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A plane the size of an A380 calls for a Monolithic Hangar with a diameter of 360' and a height of 150'. Its estimated cost falls between $15 and $16 million, including the Monolithic Hangar Door, the floor and the lighting. Interior offices are an additional expense.

Just how big is the Airbus A380?

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During the week of November 10, 2003 Business Week reviewed the Airbus A380. More than a decade has passed since its design began. According to Business Week, the first A380 is expected to roll off the assembly line late 2004, flight testing is scheduled to begin in early 2005 and completion in 2006.

The article also states that construction of the wings, fuselages and tails is taking place in France, Germany, Britain and Spain in factories the size of 16 football fields. Authors Carol Matlack and Stanley Holmes of Business Week say that when pieces of the plane are transported "...the cargo looks as immense and improbable as pieces of the Eiffel Tower being hauled through the French countryside: an airplane wing so long it would top a nine story building if stood on end....A tail fin as big as the wing of a midsize jet." Seating capacity will be 555 in three classes and provide 49% more floor space and 35% more seating than a 747.

Airlines in Asia, the Middle East and Europe see the Airbus A380 as the key to their long-haul service between heavily congested airports. Opposing viewpoints state that there may not be a profitable market for any manufacturer. Despite these conflicting viewpoints, the fact of the matter is, 120 A380s already have been ordered and their buyers will be seeking a safe, protective home for their investment. The Monolithic Dome Hangar and its unique door provide ultimate protection and are less costly to construct and operate than conventional hangars.

For further information regarding the A380 refer to: Mega Plane, Business Week, November 10, 2003, Carol Matlack and Stanley Holmes, p. 89

Needed: Safe Home for Super Aircraft

Where will airline companies house the new Airbus A380?

Is the new Monolithic Hangar the answer?

What size Monolithic Hangar does the Airbus A380 require?

Just how big is the Airbus A380?

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