22 July 2006
Al Ain: The world's largest and most advanced passengers aircraft A380 will today arrive at Al Ain International Airport to begin its hot weather testing.
The double-decker aircraft has not yet been in the service of any airline so far as the manufacturers are testing it in different parts of the world and weather conditions. The aircraft, which will have the livery of Etihad Airways on its fuselage, would be tested between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.
Faris Salem Al Mazrouei, Director of Al Ain International Airport, yesterday told Gulf News that a 40-member strong team of Airbus pilots, engineers, technicians and other officials would come along with the aircraft.
"The plane will land at the airport at 6:30pm today and then go to Abu Dhabi where the crew and Airbus officials will meet the officials of Etihad Airways," he said.
The tests would also be monitored and verified by a team of the EASA, comprising a test pilot and two test flight engineers. Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, is one of the lead customers of the aircraft as it has purchased four A380 as a part of a $9 billion deal for 24 aircrafts in 2004.
Extreme conditions
"We are extremely happy on Airbus' decision to choose Al Ain airport for the tests," said Al Mazrouei, adding that a team of the Airbus Industries had visited Al Ain a month ago to check the facilities. "They were happy with the services since it is Code F and Category 9 airport," he noted.
The aircraft and the Airbus team will remain in Al Ain until July 30 to perform tests that form part of an overall European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification programme, he said.
According to Airbus Industries, aircraft systems such as engines, auxiliary power units, air conditioning, hydraulic and electrical systems would be tested in the hot weather conditions of Al Ain. These tests would be performed on ground and in flight at outside temperatures in excess of 38 degrees centigrade.
Earlier in 2005, the A380 completed extreme cold weather testing at minus 30 degrees centigrade in Iqaluit, Canada, as well as high altitude tests at 7,000 feet in Medellin, Columbia.
The manufacturers of A380 said it is the greenest aircraft ever built with fuel consumption per passenger equivalent to a small family car. It will also be one of the quietest large aircraft ever, complying with strict noise restrictions at London's Heathrow airport.
By Aftab Kazmi
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
