Airbus A380 arrives in Shanghai for last leg of trial flight
www.chinaview.cn 2006-11-23 20:05:09

    SHANGHAI, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The world's largest commercial airliner, the 555-seat Airbus A380, landed at Shanghai Pudong Airport on Thursday evening for its last leg of a 10-day trial flight.

    The aircraft is powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines.

    The A380 started its technical trial journey on Nov. 13 to carry out function and reliability tests at key airports around the world.

    The trial require the aircraft to complete more than 150 flight hours on a continuous typical airline schedule, performing in its normal operational environment.

    Starting from Toulouse, France, the route comprises 10 airports. To date the aircraft has visited Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Narita, Guangzhou and Beijing.

    The A380 will have to demonstrate that it can be turned around as per normal airline operations. Tests will include checks on standard maintenance and performance, as well as typical airport operations and compatibility, such as bridge docking, cleaning and catering, refueling and boarding procedures.

    The final authentification is expected to be finished in the middle December after the plane's last trial fight over South Africa, Canada, Australia, South Pole and North Pole.

    Up to date, five Airbus A380 planes have successfully completed their trial flights and Airbus has received orders for 166 jets from 15 customers, including China Southern Airlines, which ordered five.

Editor: Ling Zhu
E-mail Us  
Related Stories