Airbus resolves A380 wiring problem
 

Paris (Agencies)

Airbus announced on Saturday it has solved the cabling problems which have plagued production of the superjumbo A380 passenger jet.

Thai Airways International has contracted to buy several A380s. Singapore Airlines has committed to buy 19, with other customers including China Southern Airlines, Australia's Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic.

"We have finished the electrical installation," said Airbus spokesman Tore Prang, confirming an earlier report in German magazine Focus.

"We have handed the aircraft to the cabin equipment team to install the first A380," he added.

Airbus chief executive Louis Gallois had said Wednesday that the wiring problems were close to being resolved, signalling good news for launch customer Singapore Airlines.

"The new electrical cabling for the first Airbus A380 intended for Singapore Airlines was installed last week," Gallois had told journalists, adding that the cabin equipment for the plane, which is in the northern German port city, would be installed next week.

"We are determined to complete this first delivery in October 2007, as we announced, and to prepare ourselves for the next deliveries in 2008," he added.

Managing director Fabrice Bregier said that the cabling for several aircraft would be completely re-installed and a temporary technical solution had been found to equip the first 25 aircraft.

From the beginning of 2008, the use of new wiring design software such as Catia V and Circe would help with the cabling of aircraft to be delivered from 2009.

Prang! Not the best name to be working in the a/c industry. :)

It's most mysterious and puzzling. Whatever was the problem that it went on so long? ANd why completely re-do it? They have experience of large aeroplane wing wiring- the A340-600 isn't exactly tiny. I've never seen any explanation of what the flaws are. Is it covering for something else? But in an industry like this, the secret would get out. So wazzup Doc?

Airbus resolves A380 wiring problem
 

It's not mysterious or puzzling as it's one of the best documented production delays in recent aeronautical history and has been particularly well covered by the accepted main stream aviation press.

The wiring in question was not specific to the wing; it was the fuselage wiring and the production problems associated with the design and manufacture which have been highlighted as the primary cause of the delays.

The secret would get out? Teams from Emirates and Singapore airlines (See Flight International) have both independantly audited the production process for potential delays-hardly the stuff of rumour and conjecture, surely.

wazzup Doc? Well, one possibility is that designing and building the largest commercial aircraft of the 21st century - which is the most technologically advanced aircraft around - has been a little more complicated than originally anticipated by the look of it.

It's back on track by all accounts, I look forward to seeing it in the near future

If they've solved the wiring problems and are now sending the acft to Finkenwerder (January), why is it still going to take until October, the best part of eight months, to do the cabin installation?

Qantas has also audited Airbus' A380 production process before placing a repeat order (the first) for 8 extra A380s. Looks like a vote of confidence in the programme after FedEx cancelled its 10 A380-800F order.

Cheers :cool:

Airbus resolves A380 wiring problem
 

Dont ask me sport, I'm not a cabin installation bod. I'm busy drinking a few cold ones and watching the one dayers at the SCG, there's a clincher on with the Aussies on the field and the Kiwis bowling...

Looking at the information around, it's not going to take until October to install the cabin, It's going to take until October to deliver the A/C in Singapores' customised specifications: I'm not Sherlock Holmes, but the two things aren't the same dear Watson

I'm sure Airbus didn't want to risk having to announce another delay so have given themselves plenty of time to get it right.

In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they delivered it a little bit earlier than October. That would be a nice press release for them.

The cabin wiring is complete albeit for a few QA issues which are being ironed out as we speak. Following a stirring speech from Mario Heinen complete with buffet lunch, MSN003 was handed over to the cabin fit guys. ! The options have also now been limited to three distinct variations which will undoubtedly speed the process up.

Work has now started on MSN005 and MSN006

What about the rumoured problems with the stabilizers sending the strain gauges off the clock, the rumour was they had tried to beef it up but this had thrown the C of G out and they were struggling to resolve it......... heard tales of new A380's at the factory parked up with no stabs on them.... another rumour was they were looking at adding fins to the stabs................ Anyone?

If that's the case, why have Airbus build it at all? I think you'll find the BASIC design of the B-777 still outstrips the A-380 on tech issues! & the Dreamliner will as well.

Vote of confidence or just a very good "discounted" deal?

Qantas Management Bod, "So are these A380 safe, reliable and economical ?"

Airbus Sales Bod, "No Sir..there just cheap"

Qantas Management Bod, "Ok we're just an amateur outfit with no real idea about running an airline so we'll take 8 more"



Not really likely is it.....

Mais ne vous fachez pas mon ami hahahahahahaha vous aurais-je touche?
Hey sweetiepie, it was only a question, but since you seem to be privy to the BOD's decision, what was the final offer?

If the wiring problem was associated with cabin layouts of the passenger airlines, why were the freighters delayed?

vous n'êtes pas très informé mon ami à devoir recourir à ranting adolecent..."that's your actual French" as the used to say on Round the Horne.

If the Europeans are as disorganised as you're implying, as oppossed to your colloquial discription, why is the Airbus safety record so good in comparision the north Americans?

I can rattle off 5 or 6 Boeings/MD accidents in the past 12 months from the top of my head without reverting to the ICAO stats...and that should give you a clue what I do for a crust

Touche

Oddly enough, I was listening to Messrs. Horne, Williams and Paddick in the car today (sounds like a law firm, but much more fun!). However, in fairness to Boeing, most of the recent accidents can hardly be attributed to faults with their aircraft - indeed, (from what I can recall) the last five 737 hull losses have involved Indonesian registered aircraft, for example that freighter that undershot in fog at Kuching. Hardly Boeing's fault; the fact of the matter is that Boeing aircraft still outnumber Airbuses significantly.

I'm sure there are still technical issues to discuss, but at the end of the day, the aircraft was certified by the FAA and JAA at the end of last year, so they must have been satisfied that everything was as it should have been.

What are the three main versions available now?

This threads got about as much life in it as a Norwegian Blue...I'm off fishing

Is anyone able to offer any info on NutLoose's questions re the rumoured stab problems?

The trouble with rumours old chap, is that the same rule applies as for tips from Jockeys: the further away from the horses mouth the tip, the less you want to give it credence.
The bigbird was certified the by EASA in mid Dec 2006; the last time someone checked they had pretty stringent criteria for civil aircraft certification