AIRBUS has completed airport compatibility tests for the new A380. The ”Experimental Pavement Programme”, which was launched in June 1998 to determine the weight effect of the new 555-seater aircraft on airport runways, has demonstrated welcome results for the aircraft manufacturer and airports alike. Tests from the six-year programme confirm that despite its size and weight, the pavement loading factor of the new aircraft matches that of today”s large aircraft. The new twin-deck aircraft will have no greater impact on the runway environment than those aircraft already in existence. This view is corroborated by experts of two French organisations the STBA (Airport and Airforce Bases Engineering Department) and LCPC of France (Laboratory for Civil Engineers) which were conducting, analysing and validating the pavement tests. This is the first time that such comprehensive tests have been carried out, prior to entry into service, in what is termed the ”large aircraft” category.
http://www.airbus.com