Rolls-Royce has demonstrated that the Trent 900 engine which powers the Airbus A380 can be transported in one piece on the main deck of a Boeing 747 freighter. R-R says the exercise underlines a "key differentiator" between the Trent 900 and the rival A380 powerplant, the GE-P&W Engine Alliance GP7000, which it says must be dismantled into modules for transport. During the 747 fit test, the Trent 900 was loaded through the side cargo door with clearance to spare, and was positioned along the cabin in various pallet positions. The engine manufacturer says that it will take less than 30min for ground handlers to load and secure the engine.
Source: Flight International
