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Singapore's A380 Takes Flight |
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Written by SIA
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Thursday, 11 May 2006 |
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Singapore's A380 Takes Flight
The first A380 aircraft that will be delivered to launch customer
Singapore Airlines embarked on its maiden test flight on 7 May 2006.
This aircraft will be the world's first A380 to enter commercial service at the end of the year.
Sporting a tailfin painted with the iconic Singapore Airlines logo, the aircraft took off from the Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Southwest France, at 0830 GMT on Sunday (4:30 PM Singapore local time) and returned to base at 1045 GMT (6:45 PM Singapore local time). The flight took 2 hours and 15 minutes.
During the flight, the testing of flight control systems at all flight levels, as well as the checking of the fuel and autopilot systems were carried out. This is part of a series of systems and operational tests that all new aircraft undergo after they are rolled out of the Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse.
In the weeks leading up to this test flight, the aircraft had accomplished other rigorous tests on the ground. Among them, the "Engine Ground Run" test ensures proper functioning of engines, and the "Rejected Take-Off" test ensures the sound functioning of the brakes by stopping the aircraft during its run just prior to take off.
The successful maiden flight marks a big step forward leading up to the A380's delivery to Singapore Airlines at the end of the year. As of May 2006, five other Singapore Airlines A380s are at various stages of completion at the Airbus Final Assembly Line.
Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier in the world to fly the Airbus A380 in 2006. The A380 will first fly on the Kangaroo route, between London, Singapore and Sydney. The Airline has ten A380s on firm order and another 15 on option.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 May 2006 )
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