Flight International magazine reports that another row looks set to develop as the world”s major aircraft manufacturers lock horns once again, this time over safety. Quoting Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy, it draws attention to the fact that in 2009 it will be 40 years since the aircraft”s first flight, and even longer from the initial design. He questions why the new 747-8 should not be required to meet all the safety standards introduced since the original version was designed. ”We”ve made all these changes to the safety requirements in the last 40 years and they are going to build to the standards of the 1960s. We should all be certificating aircraft to the same, latest standards,” he is quoted.
Leahy questions the evacuation test, saying that the 747 does not meet the latest standards, and whether the aircraft meets structural fatigue criteria. Boeing notes that the aircraft meets the FAA requirements, they being the lead design authority for the aircraft. Flight has also been talking to the European Aviation Safety Agency. They say that they are going to request a full evacuation demonstration. Boeing points out that the aircraft has a tremendous safety record and that the aircraft is a derivative and not a new design.