The whale's inbound:
Airbus' new A380 superjumbo is to pay a visit to Johannesburg in November as part of the plane's series of technical route-proving flights.
The world's largest commercial airliner - with 555 seats - which is on track to receive its airworthiness certificate later this year, will land at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on the morning of Sunday November 26. It will depart for Sydney, via the South Pole, the next day. While in South Africa, the A380 will conduct important autolanding trials at OR Tambo. The A380s visit provides an opportunity for Airbus to collaborate with its South African partners - the Airports Company of South Africa, Air Traffic & Navigation Services company, SAA Technical, the South African Civil Aviation Authority and the national department of transport.
The Airbus A380 starts its technical route proving exercise on November 13 to carry out function and reliability tests at key airports around the world. This exercise is the last of the trials required for type certification, which is expected in mid December, Airbus said in a statement. For the trial, the aircraft has to make over 150 flight hours on a continuous typical airline schedule, performing in its normal operational environment. The aircraft will be operated by Airbus flight crews with the participation of Airworthiness Authority pilots from both EASA and FAA. The aircraft used for the trial is A380 MSN002 and is powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines.
Starting from Toulouse, France, it will be visiting ten different airports in four trips. The fourth and final trip will take the A380 around the globe, via both poles. It will depart Toulouse to reach Johannesburg on November 26, and then fly over the South Pole en-route to Sydney where it will arrive on November 28. From Sydney, it will fly across the Pacific to Vancouver (November 29) prior to returning to Toulouse via the North Pole. During this technical route proving exercise, the A380 will have to demonstrate that it can be turned around as per normal airline operations. Tests will cover checks on standard aircraft maintenance and behaviour, as well as typical airport operations and compatibility. These will include monitoring functions such as bridge docking, cleaning and catering, refuelling and boarding procedures.
Five development A380s have now flown. Four aircraft, one of which is powered by the Engine Alliance GP7200 engine, are now actively involved in the intensive flight test programme, which has already reached over 730 flights and 2 300 flight hours. The fifth aircraft is undergoing cabin installation in Hamburg. Firm orders and commitments for the A380 currently stand at 176 aircraft for 16 customers, the company said.