Airbus A400M flies over Farnborough

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" took the spotlight at the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K. Here, its pilot took the 148-foot-long plane partway upside-down in a steeply banked turn.

This week-long show west of London is where the aviation industry goes to buy and sell airplanes, helicopters, and everything needed to build them.

Photo by Stephen Shankland/CNET

Caption by Stephen Shankland

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" awaits its flight at the Farnborough International Airshow. Its 58-foot-long cargo hold can carry more than 40 tons.

Photo by Stephen Shankland/CNET

Caption by Stephen Shankland

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" ascends steeply at the Farnborough International Airshow. The heat from the engines' exhaust blurs the air. Corkscrew contrail patterns are visible behind the tips of the propeller blades.

Photo by Stephen Shankland/CNET

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow. The plane's top speed is mach 0.68 to 0.72.

Photo by Stephen Shankland/CNET

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow. Corkscrew contrail patterns are visible behind the tips of the propeller blades.

The Airbus 400M has a range of 3,450 nautical miles with a cargo of 20 tons.

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow.

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Contrails spin off low-pressure areas at the edges of the Airbus 400M's flaps as it flies over the Farnborough International Airshow.

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow.

The Airbus 400M "Grizzly" at the Farnborough International Airshow.