Proof that the Airbus A380 has become a reality – as opposed to a mere paper aircraft – was given at Farnborough when Rolls-Royce's director of Airbus programmes – Ian Kinnear – arrived at the show carrying the very first Trent 900 fan blade! Made at R-R's Barnoldswick factory in the north of England, the blade forms a part of the front fan which is 116" in diameter and it will help the Trent 900 to produce 68,000lbs thrust on entry into service, although the engine will be capable of developing up to 84,000lbs later in the development cycle. Remember, you saw it here first…!
Source: Flight Daily News
