Airbus is hoping that the A380 will finally take to the air this week after completing a series of low- and high-speed taxi tests at Toulouse Blagnac airport. The final pre-flight test was due to be a high speed rejected take-off run to a speed of around 130kt (250km/h – just below V1). The A380 will then undergo several days of checks before the maiden sortie, during which it will be put into its first flight configuration. This will include the installation of the crew escape chute.
Source: Flight International
