In a message dated 6/23/2003 4:01:10 AM Pacific Daylight Time, gjmck@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: << I don't consider the B744 a new aircraft. It's a variant of an design that's over thirty years old. It may have a new type of wing and new engines but it is still essentially a 1960s design. The A380 is a totally new aircraft as is the B777 but the B744 definitely is not. >> The 744 also has new materials making it lighter yet bigger, a 2 person EFIS Cockpit and millions of other differences. It is like calling a 737-800 the same plane as a stovepipe -100. Not even close, except for the weird rudder design. The A380 could be called a big A320 (look at it), considering all the commonality that Airbus says they have