A380 stress tests uncover unexpected problems
 

FRANKFURT, Feb 19 (Reuters) -

Engineers at European planemaker Airbus are battling problems in stress tests for the new A380 superjumbo, Germany's Der Spiegel magazine reported on Saturday.

There were "unexpected and significant difficulties" with the rear
end of the plane when tests were carried out on it, the magazine
quoted an insider as saying.

The landing gear is also causing engineers concern, the magazine
reported, adding that the A380's first flight in March could be
delayed by weeks.

An Airbus spokesman said the stress tests were heading in the right
direction within the company's expectations, Der Spiegel said.

Airbus could not immediately be reached for comment.

The A380, which is the world's biggest civil aircraft and was
formally unveiled in Toulouse, in France, last month, can seat
between 555 and 850 passengers and has a list price of between $200million and $250 million.

Good lord,a new aircraft with some teething problems :eek: what will they think of next!

Der Spiegel is...a sceptical magazine at best.Perhaps they should let the Airbus engineers do their jobs,or come out with some evidence of what the "unexpected and significant difficulties" are :8

Roger that, and (kann man sich so was vorstellen) can one imagine what will be proclaimed when a new Boeing plane is tested? More Schadenfreude?:D

Not unexpected by 747F :E

There is always going to be a few problems, indeed boeing had a few problems when they built the 747 the first time. I suspect the boffins at airbus can sort the problems out quickly.

:E

put it this way, if the rusion antanov 124-100 can fly, then there will be no problems for the A380. the antanov is HUGE!

I was just reading the news and tried to find some sense in it ...

Obviously the translation from englisch to german and back to english removed most of the substance from the statement.

´Spiegel´ obviously refers to the Rear End Test (RET), which is not the test of the very last 4 meters of the plane, but is a special test setup which includes the fuselage aft of the rear pressure bulkhead and includes the entire vertical tail.

Airbus has recently given the statement, that nothing went wrong and all tests are within the first flight schedule.

Spigel.... isn't that German for "mirror" ?
 

If my schooldays German is correct, isn't Spiegel German for "mirror"...and if so. does it maintain the impeccable standards of impartiality, accuracy and sound judgement as its British namesake? Oh good. BM

BoeingMEL you're correct, spiegel is indeed the german word for mirror, the magazine however has no connection to the british boulevard press. While it
's really not as good as some people like to see it, it is still one of the better weekly magazines here in germany.

But i guess it's the same as with any non-aviation magazine in any country, if journos try to write something aviation related it most certainly goes all into a big bowl of s***

Today I have visited a building project, where they had to construct a large hall for a specific function. It is the kind of function hall of which several hundred exist around the UK. It is not in any way revolutiuonary or larger or particularly different to any other of it's kind. It has been constructed on dry land that does not move.

It is currently three months late and counting. And a project like the 380 'might' have a problem? I do hope that Airbus don't have to spend too much time countering this kind of junk. Some journos take such delight in making trouble and @#!t.

--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Hmmm, well hardly surprising.
Those with long memories will recall that the first few B747's had huge engine problems with the JT9.

In fact, I personally spent four straight months flying various parts to SEA to 'fix' the problems.

High heat, torching, ovalation...melted back ends.

BIG problems.

Yet, the problems were fixed, and the 747 has gone on to be one very fine aeroplane.

Likewise with the A380, I expect.

All is well with the A380 ......

Airbus update on A380
First flight still on for March/April .....

Quote ....

"February 21, 2005

European planemaker Airbus said the development of its A380 superjumbo remained on track and denied problems had been encountered during stress tests on the aircraft ahead of its first flight.

"The preliminary findings indicate we are moving in the right direction," said spokesman David Voskuhl on Monday. "No serious problems have been encountered."

Voskuhl added that Airbus was still aiming for the A380 to have its first flight towards the end of March, although he repeated previous guidance that the date could slip into April.

Germany's Der Spiegel magazine reported this weekend that engineers at Airbus encountered "unexpected and significant difficulties" with the rear end of the plane when tests were carried out on it.

The landing gear was also causing engineers concern, the magazine reported, adding that the A380's first flight could be delayed by weeks.

"We are not aware of the problems that the Spiegel is claiming," Voskuhl said.

The A380, which is the world's biggest civil aircraft and was inaugurated in Toulouse, in France, last month, can seat between 555 and 850 passengers and has a list price of between USD$200 million and USD$250 million."

(Reuters)

I think the problem with the landing gear may have something to do with the simulated landing they do with the wheels spooled up backwards to simulate the rapid increase in tire spool up.

I was watching the Discovery Channel show on the A380, and the landing gear engineers were a bit concerned about bogey flexing during the testing. You could see in the replay showed the front and rear tire (on the six-wheeled bogey) were bouncing up and down on the "landing". Just a thought.

PS - I don't work for Airbus, and the above is nothing but my lay-person observation from a television show.