newstodate.aero
Feb 2, 2006 (newstodate): The fifth Airbus A380 aircraft is now being fitted with the first of four Engine Alliance GP7200 engines.
When all four engines have been installed, the aircraft will join the A380 test program from mid-2006.
To-date, three Rolls Royce powered A380s have taken to the air and have accumulated around 245 flights and 880 flight hours.
The first two aircraft have been successfully carrying out trials including aerodynamics, low speed and flight vibration tests. Cold weather trials are due to take place in Canada shortly, where the aircraft has to prove full functionality under extreme weather conditions of up to minus 40 degrees Celsius. The high altitude campaign successfully took place in Columbia earlier this month while the hot weather campaign will begin in the summer.
The third A380 has been flown to Hamburg, Germany, to be fitted out with the full cabin. It will be joined by a fourth aircraft which will also undergo cabin and noise tests, as well as performing the Early Long Flights and later the Route Proving, together with further airport compatibility checks.
The full A380 test programme represents more than 2,500 flight hours before completion and first delivery to Singapore Airlines in late 2006.
When all four engines have been installed, the aircraft will join the A380 test program from mid-2006.
To-date, three Rolls Royce powered A380s have taken to the air and have accumulated around 245 flights and 880 flight hours.
The first two aircraft have been successfully carrying out trials including aerodynamics, low speed and flight vibration tests. Cold weather trials are due to take place in Canada shortly, where the aircraft has to prove full functionality under extreme weather conditions of up to minus 40 degrees Celsius. The high altitude campaign successfully took place in Columbia earlier this month while the hot weather campaign will begin in the summer.
The third A380 has been flown to Hamburg, Germany, to be fitted out with the full cabin. It will be joined by a fourth aircraft which will also undergo cabin and noise tests, as well as performing the Early Long Flights and later the Route Proving, together with further airport compatibility checks.
The full A380 test programme represents more than 2,500 flight hours before completion and first delivery to Singapore Airlines in late 2006.