Following the blockbuster announcement in April that the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, is coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, EAA and Airbus today announced even greater accessibility of this modern marvel to the aviation enthusiasts who will visit Oshkosh next month to see it.

For the first time, Airbus will offer walk-through tours of the interior of the flight-test aircraft. AirVenture attendees will have the opportunity to walk through both the main deck and the full-length upper deck. Information panels along the circuit will provide insights into the aircraft's design, engineering, and construction - and the international collaboration required to build it.

"Thus far, we've provided only guided tours of our test-aircraft interior. However, because of the high interest among members of the EAA community to learn about and experience firsthand the A380's innovations, we've set up a self-guided tour with information and helpful staff along the way," said Airbus Americas Chairman T. Allan McArtor. "It's all part of the celebration of Airbus' 40th anniversary."

EAA President and AirVenture Chairman Tom Poberezny looks forward to offering conventiongoers a rounded A380 experience. "The Airbus A380 is such a unique aircraft that it naturally draws the curiosity of aviation enthusiasts, who want to see the airplane inside and out. We appreciate all the work that Airbus has done to create this unmatched opportunity at Oshkosh," he said.

"Our members and visitors will be not only impressed at the performance of this enormous aircraft in flight on Tuesday and Friday, but also struck by its size on the ground and its sophistication inside. Furthermore, they'll be engaged by Airbus' informative presentations beside the airplane on the ramp, at Theater in the Woods, and in AirVenture forums," Poberezny added.

The aircraft is capable of carrying as many as 850 passengers in an all-economy configuration and approximately 525 in a typical three-class configuration. However, the airlines now flying the A380 - Emerates Airlines, Qantas Airlines, and Singapore Airlines - have opted for more luxurious configurations with seats numbering in the 450-500 range, including suites with lie-flat recliners.

The A380 that Airbus will bring to Oshkosh is configured for flight testing and data collection, providing AirVenture attendees the unique opportunity to see the interior of a commercial flight-test aircraft.

DON'T MISS ...

• A380 arrives and performs flight demo Tuesday, July 28, as part of air show that begins 2:15 p.m. CDT.
• A380 open for walk-through tours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday.
• Airbus officials and flight crew make presentation at Theater in the Woods, 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29.
• Plane-side presentations by flight crewmembers Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning.
• A380 performs flight demo as part of the Friday, July 31 air show that begins at 2:30 p.m. Aircraft departs AirVenture following flight demo.