AIRBUS' third A380 has taken to the air whilst rumours still persist of delays to the programme and a firm delivery date for lead customer Singapore Airlines still not officially announced.
Clearly with such a huge programme as the massive Airbus, some delays are inevitable but the build schedule is now really gaining momentum. While the first two A380s are equipped with heavy test instrumentation, the third to be launched only has medium sized monitoring equipment. After completing checks it will fly to Hamburg in the coming days where it will be the first to be fitted with a full cabin. It will be used for cabin and cargo systems development and certification, for the early long-range flights to be performed with Airbus personnel, as well as for further airport compatibility trials. It will eventually become the first Etihad aircraft as our artists impression shows.
Two more A380s are to join the test programme, MSN 7, which will be equipped with light test instrumentation and will be used for route proving flights, and MSN 9, which will be equipped with Engine Alliance GP7000 engines.
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