With a loud roar, a puff of white smoke and a slight wobble, the Airbus A380 arrived Wednesday for a second visit to Los Angeles International Airport.
The world's largest passenger aircraft touched down at 11:47 a.m. and was greeted by a few dozen reporters and a small army of airport police officers gathered on the south airfield.
``I looked across the cabin to downtown L.A., but to be honest, I had to concentrate more on doing what I had to do, which is putting the plane safely and smoothly down on the ground,'' said Capt. Murray Crockett, the first Qantas Airways pilot to fly the A380.
``It's probably easier to fly than a lot of other aircraft I fly because the controls are very direct. It's very responsive and it does anything you would like to do in an airplane,'' Crockett said. ``It's an absolute delight to fly.''
The decked-out A380 that came into LAX on Wednesday was a far cry from the simple, hollowed-out cargo model that made its first appearance at LAX last March.
Although the gigantic aircraft could potentially hold more than 850 economy-class passengers, this particular A380 model was configured to hold 523 seats in first, business and economy classes, according to Airbus officials.
``We think the A380 sets a new standard in aviation ... it's a big deal,'' Allan McArtor, chairman of Airbus North America, said shortly after he stepped off the plane.
About 400 invited guests toured the A380 Wednesday afternoon. Some played with the electronic controls that made the 12 first-class seats recline into a bed. Some agreed that the scant amount of leg room offered in the plane's economy class was no different than other airplanes.
Others -- including 12-year-old Madeleine Mesinger of Orville Wright Magnet Middle School -- marveled how the A380's tiny cockpit could maneuver a behemoth aircraft.
``There's just so much technology in there,'' said Madeleine, a student pilot who has flown a Comanche-model airplane. ``It's a little more complicated, but maybe I'll learn how to fly it someday.''
Some chuckled at the windows that were available in a few of the lavatories, providing passengers with a restroom with a view. A few people stood by a small bar at the center of the plane, hoping to find some libations.
Robert Sharp, 12, was in awe of the A380's double-decker cabin and walked up and down the purple-carpeted staircase a few times.
``This plane is huge, I'm surprised it can even fly,'' said Robert, also a student pilot at Wright Middle School. ``I mean, it's a two-story plane. I've never seen that.''
Despite the luxurious display, the A380 could still be spruced up further. Airline companies that purchase the plane will be able to show their creativity by adding such accommodations as private cabins, shops and wide social lounges, according to Airbus officials.
The A380 made its first commercial flight with 455 passengers last month from Singapore to Sydney -- nearly two years later than the company's executives had planned on.
The plane's visit to LAX this time around is aimed at showing off its capabilities to politicians, the press and potential passengers. Qantas Airlines will be the first to offer A380 service in October 2008, with flights from LAX to Australia.
