Thursday 23 February

As the week goes on, the team’s spirit remains good and that is one thing that really helps in air shows like this. Because the interest of visitors for the A380 shows no sign of flagging and today for example I’m sure we received at least 250 people in the aircraft.

You have only just finished with one group that another is already waiting for you. Groups queue up to see the cockpit and yet it is really spacious, you can fit eight people easily in there. Visitors come from all kinds of backgrounds, including Airbus guests, Singapore Airlines flight ops, SIA premium passengers and of course lots of air show visitors. They are curious to see the inside of the aircraft.

Showing people around is quite an experience: some visitors are professionals or really interested or already know something about flying. Then you can discuss the different features of the aircraft, talk about the flexibility of the wings, explain the cockpit and the flight controls, show the tests panels, answer their questions. But it is also true that for a lot of people, the main interest is having their photograph taken in the pilot’s seat as a souvenir.

A corollary is that you have to be really watchful during the visits. People are not used to test aircraft and you have to remind them constantly not to touch everything or go where they should not. We have all had our photographs taken dozens of times by now with different groups, in the cockpit, on the stairs, by the water ballasts, at the front, at the back. You get used to it!

Today I did not fly because I was asked to lunch with an important guest. In a way I was sad not to be flying but on the other hand, I was able to see the A380 fly its demonstration from the ground. I found it very beautiful and very moving. It is not often that I see the plane from outside.