Countdown to A380 (first delivery arrived, 4 July)....
Jan 20, 2012, 7:10 am
#92
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Yeh - saw that. Not too sure what to make of it yet.
I kind of feel in these new technology / design on computer thingies, that a good deal of practical data (real world t/offs and flying hours) can supplement the original design estimates.
Happily for BA I would imagine several hundred minor improvements will be incorporated into the design-mark they receive compared with the originally delivered A380s.
Nevertheless, one can't help feeling the present cracks were not really part of the design.
I kind of feel in these new technology / design on computer thingies, that a good deal of practical data (real world t/offs and flying hours) can supplement the original design estimates.
Happily for BA I would imagine several hundred minor improvements will be incorporated into the design-mark they receive compared with the originally delivered A380s.
Nevertheless, one can't help feeling the present cracks were not really part of the design.
Jan 20, 2012, 7:47 am
#93
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And because I'm sure the lack of clickability annoyed others as much as it did me:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16649334
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16649334
Jan 20, 2012, 7:50 am
#94
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While I completely get the desire to sit on the upper deck of the 747, I'm not so sure it'll be the same on the A380. Perhaps it'll be different once I get on one, but does it actually "feel" any different from being on the lower deck.
On the 747, its feels that little bit more special because its a small narrower cabin.
On the 747, its feels that little bit more special because its a small narrower cabin.
Jan 20, 2012, 8:01 am
#95
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I kind of feel in these new technology / design on computer thingies, that a good deal of practical data (real world t/offs and flying hours) can supplement the original design estimates.
Happily for BA I would imagine several hundred minor improvements will be incorporated into the design-mark they receive compared with the originally delivered A380s.
.
Jan 20, 2012, 8:59 am
#96
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Jan 20, 2012, 10:57 am
#97
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Yeh - saw that. Not too sure what to make of it yet.
I kind of feel in these new technology / design on computer thingies, that a good deal of practical data (real world t/offs and flying hours) can supplement the original design estimates.
Happily for BA I would imagine several hundred minor improvements will be incorporated into the design-mark they receive compared with the originally delivered A380s.
Nevertheless, one can't help feeling the present cracks were not really part of the design.
I kind of feel in these new technology / design on computer thingies, that a good deal of practical data (real world t/offs and flying hours) can supplement the original design estimates.
Happily for BA I would imagine several hundred minor improvements will be incorporated into the design-mark they receive compared with the originally delivered A380s.
Nevertheless, one can't help feeling the present cracks were not really part of the design.
Can't remember the last time a design flaw on an airlner that produced structural cracks resulted in an accident or grounding though
Jan 20, 2012, 11:17 am
#98
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While I completely get the desire to sit on the upper deck of the 747, I'm not so sure it'll be the same on the A380. Perhaps it'll be different once I get on one, but does it actually "feel" any different from being on the lower deck.
On the 747, its feels that little bit more special because its a small narrower cabin.
On the 747, its feels that little bit more special because its a small narrower cabin.
Whilst the A380 contains a staircase front and rear, you tend to board directly onto the UD.
Jan 20, 2012, 11:28 am
#99
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,452
Two airlines who operate cattle class on A380 upper deck:
Singapore:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singa...-841/1683642/L
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singa...-841/1671515/L
Air France:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-F...-861/1762880/L
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-F...-861/1761405/L
China Southern also has upper deck Cattle, but could not find pictures of lower deck cattle class.
Jan 20, 2012, 11:55 am
#100
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The wing rib cracks have been know about for a while, they found them when examining the Qantas aircraft which had the uncontained engine failure leaving Singapore last year.
They have traced it back to an issue in the manufacturing process, rather than a design flaw, the process has been adjusted accordingley to fix this.
For those who are intrested you should keep an eye on http://www.a380production.com
The first sightings of parts will show up there. It currentlt takes around 12 weeks to assemble an A380 in TLS, then off to Hamburg for cabin outfitting.
They have traced it back to an issue in the manufacturing process, rather than a design flaw, the process has been adjusted accordingley to fix this.
For those who are intrested you should keep an eye on http://www.a380production.com
The first sightings of parts will show up there. It currentlt takes around 12 weeks to assemble an A380 in TLS, then off to Hamburg for cabin outfitting.
Jan 20, 2012, 3:54 pm
#102
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Airworthiness Directive 20 Jan 2012
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have issued an Airworthiness Directive relating to the cracking found in the A380 wing rib.
Airworthiness Directive
Airworthiness Directive
Following an unscheduled internal inspection of an A380 wing, some rib feet
have been found with cracks originating from the rib to skin panel attachment
holes (Type 1 cracks according to Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT)
terminology).
Further to this finding, inspections were carried out on a number of other
aeroplanes where further cracks have been found. During one of those
inspections, a new form of rib foot cracking originating from the forward and aft
edges of the vertical web of the rib feet has been identified (Type 2 cracks
according to Airbus AOT terminology). The new form of cracking is more
significant than the original rib foot hole cracking. It has been determined that
the Type 2 cracks may develop on other aeroplanes after a period of time in
service.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could potentially affect the
structural integrity of the aeroplane.
have been found with cracks originating from the rib to skin panel attachment
holes (Type 1 cracks according to Airbus All Operator Telex (AOT)
terminology).
Further to this finding, inspections were carried out on a number of other
aeroplanes where further cracks have been found. During one of those
inspections, a new form of rib foot cracking originating from the forward and aft
edges of the vertical web of the rib feet has been identified (Type 2 cracks
according to Airbus AOT terminology). The new form of cracking is more
significant than the original rib foot hole cracking. It has been determined that
the Type 2 cracks may develop on other aeroplanes after a period of time in
service.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could potentially affect the
structural integrity of the aeroplane.
Jan 20, 2012, 7:40 pm
#103
Join Date: May 2009
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Posts: 769
Cracks will exist in many airframe parts over their life. The vast majority are not serious. Some will be relieved by being drilled out where appropriate to stop further propogation. Not really a big deal....now in a structural part they ae monitored really very closely, ie a wing spar. Quite a few military aircraft over the years have been grounded because of fatigue and / or cracks in the main wing spar - the whole RAF Buccaneer fleet in the early 1980s being very memorable.
Can't remember the last time a design flaw on an airlner that produced structural cracks resulted in an accident or grounding though
Can't remember the last time a design flaw on an airlner that produced structural cracks resulted in an accident or grounding though
Jan 21, 2012, 8:06 am
#104
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