Airbus completed the maiden flight today of the first A380 assembled under the "Wave 2" revised production method and modified electrical wiring.

The first Wave 2 A380 with redesigned electrical harnesses is MSN026 - an aircraft destined for delivery to Qantas. It achieved power-on in April - around four months later than scheduled - and had originally been due for delivery at the end of this year. It will not now be handed over until 2009, following the revised scheduling announced by Airbus in May in the wake of the difficulties encountered transitioning the A380 production line to full industrialisation.

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© Airbus
One of Qantas's earlier 'Wave 1' A380s takes off on a test flight

Source: Flight International

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