MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON
But airline is happy with smooth operations despite some teething problems
Virgin Atlantic has been pleased with the relatively trouble-free operations of its new Airbus A340-600 fleet, but the introduction has been blighted by the late aircraft deliveries.
The airline received its first example on 26 July, and put the 311-seat aircraft into service on 1 August. Two -600s are now in service, dedicated to the Heathrow-Tokyo route.
"The introduction has gone very smoothly, considering that there are lots of new vendors on the aircraft," says Virgin director of engineering Jeff Livings. "Technical dispatch reliability has been running at 96%, and hit 100% for a couple of weeks." However, Livings concedes that overall reliability has dropped to 92% because of early problems with new systems such as the in-flight entertainment (IFE). "This was mostly the effect of a single delay when just one aircraft was in service," he adds.
"There were a few teething problems with the new Matsushita 3000 IFE, but these have been resolved and we are regularly leaving base with 100% availability," he says.
Delivery of the second A340-600 was scheduled for late August, but it did not arrive until 4 October, and by now the airline should have had four in service. "We expect to receive number three at the end of the month, and the fourth in December, by which time deliveries should be back on schedule," says Livings, who blames the delay on "production problems at Airbus". The hold-ups have also affected the delivery of -500/600s to Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and South African Airways (Flight International, 12-18 November).
Livings says the -600's fuel consumption has been "as expected". Minor problems have included a thrust-reverser guide problem, which prevented the doors from stowing, and nitrogen leaks on the main wheel tyres. "The reverser problem, which occurred during the first week, was caused by a rub strip coming adrift - it hasn't recurred and was put down to a bad batch," says Livings. The nitrogen leaks were caused by a problem with the tyres' fuse plugs, solved by installing a modified plug, he adds.
Livings says concerns over cabin flexing in turbulence during proving flights seem to have been unfounded, although the airline is to install accelerometers in the engine pylons which will send inputs through the flight management computer to flight controls to damp out oscillations.
Source: Flight International
