Giant of the Skies - Building The Airbus A380

After months of preparation, the Airbus A380 thundered down the runway and into the air for the very first time - and landed in the record books as the world's biggest airliner. See how the engineers and test pilots made this incredible feat possible.

At nearly 50 per cent biggest than its nearest rival, the Airbus A380 is unlike anything the skies have ever seen. But before this behemoth soars into commercial aviation history, it must undergo rigorous testing and safety checks.

The test-flight crew push the plane to its limits, verifying its performance, safety and airport compatibility - to accommodate its huge wingspan, runways will require adjustments.