The Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai was conceived as the world’s first seven star property. The airborne equivalent came to Dubai yesterday.
It was only appropriate that the Airbus A380 super-jumbo should pay its respects to the Burj during a low-level flight over the city before taking its place as the rightful star of the air show.
Appropriate too, that the aircraft should arrive resplendent in full Emirates livery. Emirates is, to date, the largest customer for the 555+ seater with 45 A380s on order. From 2007, the aircraft will be a familiar sight at Dubai International airport.
Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum says: "The A380's test flight to Dubai is historic and significant for the entire region. It underpins the impressive profile Emirates and Dubai have created in the international arena.
“Dubai's residents and visitors will now have a fantastic preview of the future of long-haul air travel as the massive A380 takes to the skies.”
The Airbus A380 at Dubai – MSN004 – is one of five aircraft in a flight test programme that will total 2,500h. To date, three aircraft have flown and have logged more than 520h in more than 140 flights. Milestones have included an early demonstration of an automatic landing, minimum unstick-speed trials and a thorough check of aircraft behaviour throughout a range of speeds and heights.
Like MSN001, the first A380 to fly, this example’s cabin is full of heavy test instrumentation including recorders and barrels of water to simulate the weight of passengers and cargo.
This month saw the first airport compatibility tests when MSN004 visited Frankfurt Main airport. A range of ramp scenarios was evaluated, including the positioning of passenger airbridges at the main and upper decks. The aircraft was also serviced at a working gate.
While all eyes are on the aircraft at Dubai, there is also real curiosity about MSN002, the third A380 to fly, which made its maiden flight on 3 November. In some respects it will be the most interesting of the early aircraft in that it is the first to be fitted with a passenger cabin. It will give the world a glimpse of just what is possible with its vast interior.
Carrying only medium sized instrumentation, MSN002 will be used for cabin and cargo systems development and certification, for the early long range flights and for further airport compatibility trials.
Two more A380s are to join the test programme: MSN007, which will be equipped with light test instrumentation and will be used for route proving flights, and MSN009 which will be equipped with Engine Alliance GP7000 engines.
MIKE MARTIN
Source: Flight Daily News
