Jet jocks and airliner drivers?

Dudley, Bertie, Bob Moore, Capt. Doug...


On my recent viewing of the A380 low and slow passes over some P&W
locations, I remarked how quiet the airplane was. During these passes
the aircraft was noticeably pitched up (maybe 150 knots?), and
slightly "dirty", just as the far simpler craft I usually fly might be
in a similar "slow flight" situation. I've been told by P&W employees
that the plane was loaded up with ballast, and far from light.

The most common remark I get from non-pilots on the lack of noise is
"he was at idle", as they compare it to a plane descending. My
response is that the 380 was maneuvering and maintaining altitude,
which would require more than idle power, maybe a lot more, just like
a smaller craft being flown in it's own version of slow flight.

Am I thinking along the correct lines, that an airliner at a decent
weight would require more than idle power to maneuver and maintain a
constant altitude while slow? I have zero jet time, but this would
only make sense. The Pratt guys agree with me, but they haven't flown
airliners either.

Thanks!