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A380 coming to Joburg

The whale's inbound:

Quote:

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.

Five A380ies flying? I thought they where seven?

Looks like its time for a roster change to be in Joburg on the 26th. Should be fun to watch.:ok:

How do we find out what time and runway to be used?:rolleyes:

Quote:

Looks like its time for a roster change to be in Joburg on the 26th. Should be fun to watch

.

Don't even think about it, I've already called dibs!!!:hmm:

Dumb question a week before arrival, but are there any plans which runway is to be used - and what the whalejet will be doing for the 24 hours it is here?

:confused:

A380 info from "Airbus" SA

Picked up the following on AASA site:

QUOTE

Dear friends

Provisional info * subject to confirmation * I can share with you is the
following:

All times are local (RSA)

ETA Sunday 26 November 2006: 0800

Autolanding trials on 03R/21L between 1100 * 1300

ETD Monday 27 November 2006: 1000

The aircraft is MSN002 and is a fully flight test instrumented plane
complete. Besides some basic seats for the technical support team to rest
in while travelling, the aircraft is not equipped with a passenger cabin.
The purpose of the Technical Route Proving campaign is to demonstrate and
validate the systems under a typical scheduled airline regime.

The flight test crew for the JNB-SYD sector will be led by Airbus Chief Test
Pilot, Claude Lelaie, Jacques Rosay and Fernando Alonso, the same trio that
performed the A380 maiden flight.

The aircraft and flight test crew are on a very tight flight test schedule,
which does not allow sufficient time for the aircraft to visit CPT or any
other airports in SA.

Best wishes

Linden Birns
PR for Airbus * Southern Africa

UNQUOTE

Enjoy, everybody.
Here in Toulouse you don't see much else other than A380s on final. Quite impressive as they come over the freeway though. We were briefed by one of the test pilots who showed a film of the Vmu trials - dragging the (reinforced!) tail along the runway in a shower of sparks - now THAT was impressive. I asked him if he had much stress in his job - flying the aeroplane is the easy bit - getting it ready for the customers is a nightmare!
Now a 1900 would be fun to see!
A bientôt.

Super, we are there that time of day. Looking forward to it!:ok:

:) Hi there!

I just want to know if the A380 will be opened to the public 4 an interior visit too?i suppose on the 26th jo'burg international will be fiiled up with a crowd where would be the best spot some1 could really see the flight demo?Cheers

For checking out the '380' on Sunday 26th, try the outside deck at Hi-Flyerz:ok:

No question the best place watch- definitely going to be there. Suppose now Id better get there early!

Quote:

Originally Posted by starliner (Post 2977493)

The flight test crew for the JNB-SYD sector will be led by Airbus Chief Test
Pilot, Claude Lelaie, Jacques Rosay and Fernando Alonso, the same trio that
performed the A380 maiden flight.

So, this is what Fernando Alonso does when he's not testing for Renault! Nice job dude! :)

If they are using 03R then the car park at the East Rand Mall would be a decent place to watch!

Quote:

If they are using 03R then the car park at the East Rand Mall would be a decent place to watch!

If you don't have an apron pass go the Hi-Flyerz & have a dop or two you doos. The car park at the the East Rand Mall is for cars. Some okes will never catch the drift. :cool: Enjoy, wish I was there.

4HP

Well, if you have a buddy working at SAA or SAA Technical, today is the day to rekindle your friendship. The staff may take four (4) visitors to have a close look at the giant on Sunday evening. Sorry but no interior visit allowed this time.

Wish I was there………..:uhoh:

You can follow it's progress on the Airbus website at http://www.airbus.com/en/airbuslive/...-2006/home.htm

4HP

What about the weather report for tomorrow. Does not look too good. :}

Do I get to fly it??

Eat your heart out, Nivel Yllucs! :} :} :p

Cansomeone update the thread with the latest on Runway use and times to keep us up to date.

Sounds like 702 is keeping an eye on things as well:} :}