A380 problems to delay test flight?
Feb 21, 2005 | 9:33 am
#1
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A380 problems to delay test flight?
Just read the following:
Airbus denies test problems
I am not familiar with flight and aircraft testing. Do the problems mentioned sound normal for new plane?
Airbus denies test problems
I am not familiar with flight and aircraft testing. Do the problems mentioned sound normal for new plane?
Feb 21, 2005 | 2:17 pm
#2
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The Daily Telegraph reported some issues with stress fractures here - http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/st...toryid=2695105.
Their DNS server is down, so I can't call up the article, but one of the properties of the GLARE laminate they are building much of the structure out of is that if cracks appear, they will not propogate. So until they get the article back up, I can't comment specifically.
Their DNS server is down, so I can't call up the article, but one of the properties of the GLARE laminate they are building much of the structure out of is that if cracks appear, they will not propogate. So until they get the article back up, I can't comment specifically.
Feb 21, 2005 | 3:01 pm
#3
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Looks like the DNS problem is fixed. To quote from the article:
A380 delays Qantas dogfight
By IAN HUGHES
February 21, 2005
STRESS fractures uncovered during testing of the new Airbus A380 mega-plane may delay an upping of the ante in the battle between Qantas and Singapore Airlines for market share.
According to reports from Germany's Der Spiegel magazine, Airbus engineers have failed to iron out problems encountered in stress tests.
There were "unexpected and significant difficulties" with the rear end of the plane when tests were carried out on it, the magazine quoted an insider as saying.
The landing gear is also causing engineers concern, the magazine reported, adding that the A380's first flight in March could be delayed by weeks.
An Airbus spokesman said however that the stress tests were heading in the right direction within the company's expectations, Der Spiegel said.
By IAN HUGHES
February 21, 2005
STRESS fractures uncovered during testing of the new Airbus A380 mega-plane may delay an upping of the ante in the battle between Qantas and Singapore Airlines for market share.
According to reports from Germany's Der Spiegel magazine, Airbus engineers have failed to iron out problems encountered in stress tests.
There were "unexpected and significant difficulties" with the rear end of the plane when tests were carried out on it, the magazine quoted an insider as saying.
The landing gear is also causing engineers concern, the magazine reported, adding that the A380's first flight in March could be delayed by weeks.
An Airbus spokesman said however that the stress tests were heading in the right direction within the company's expectations, Der Spiegel said.
Feb 21, 2005 | 4:02 pm
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Well I know the rear tailcone section (essentially from the rear pressure bulkhead or so back) was machined out of spec and they had to trim a few mils off of it to get it to fit.
I wonder if that is the part giving them problems? GLARE is used in the upper fuselage structure, but I do not know if the back piece is GLARE or aluminum.
I wonder if that is the part giving them problems? GLARE is used in the upper fuselage structure, but I do not know if the back piece is GLARE or aluminum.