Sunfish
23rd Nov 2010, 16:33
From the ABC, without comment.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has praised the way Qantas has handled the problems with its A380 fleet.
Extensive checks have been carried out since the fleet was grounded after an engine blowout on one of its planes over Indonesia earlier this month.
The airline has announced two super jumbos will gradually begin flying again, starting on Saturday.
Another two new aircraft will be in service for the Christmas rush.
CASA's director of aviation safety, John McCormick, says Qantas has done everything by the book.
"If you think what Qantas has done here, they've grounded these airplanes, and in reality if we were concerned, the most serious action we could take would be to ground the aircraft," he said.
"So CASA in that respect would've only done what Qantas did. So Qantas is to be commended for their proactive action in doing that."
Mr McCormick says passengers should not be worried about getting on Qantas A380s again.
"We would not let it fly and neither would Qantas if we thought there were serious issues. But the airline is taking a cautious approach by only resuming Sydney-to-London flights," he said.
"It's voluntarily suspended its Sydney-to-LA route because the superjumbos may need to use full thrust for take-off.
"I will stress though there is no limit on the engine. The engine can be used at those thrust levels."
Mr McCormick says CASA has approved the airline's decision to return to the skies.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says as the Los Angeles route normally uses a higher thrust power, "we think it's sensible to have that restriction".
A380 captain Richard Woodward says the restriction is likely just a precaution.
"I'd say it's a confidence-building exercise to get the airplanes back on a route that doesn't require full power, and they can monitor aircraft and we don't have to load it right up and fly all the way across the ocean using full power for take-off," he said.
Qantas commended for A380 action - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/23/3074573.htm?section=justin)
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has praised the way Qantas has handled the problems with its A380 fleet.
Extensive checks have been carried out since the fleet was grounded after an engine blowout on one of its planes over Indonesia earlier this month.
The airline has announced two super jumbos will gradually begin flying again, starting on Saturday.
Another two new aircraft will be in service for the Christmas rush.
CASA's director of aviation safety, John McCormick, says Qantas has done everything by the book.
"If you think what Qantas has done here, they've grounded these airplanes, and in reality if we were concerned, the most serious action we could take would be to ground the aircraft," he said.
"So CASA in that respect would've only done what Qantas did. So Qantas is to be commended for their proactive action in doing that."
Mr McCormick says passengers should not be worried about getting on Qantas A380s again.
"We would not let it fly and neither would Qantas if we thought there were serious issues. But the airline is taking a cautious approach by only resuming Sydney-to-London flights," he said.
"It's voluntarily suspended its Sydney-to-LA route because the superjumbos may need to use full thrust for take-off.
"I will stress though there is no limit on the engine. The engine can be used at those thrust levels."
Mr McCormick says CASA has approved the airline's decision to return to the skies.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says as the Los Angeles route normally uses a higher thrust power, "we think it's sensible to have that restriction".
A380 captain Richard Woodward says the restriction is likely just a precaution.
"I'd say it's a confidence-building exercise to get the airplanes back on a route that doesn't require full power, and they can monitor aircraft and we don't have to load it right up and fly all the way across the ocean using full power for take-off," he said.
Qantas commended for A380 action - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/23/3074573.htm?section=justin)