Aircraft

Airbus has begun engine ground runs of the Engine Alliance GP7200-powered Airbus A380 test aircraft at its facilities in Toulouse.

The flight test aircraft (manufacturer’s serial number 009) – performed its first run late yesterday. The picture below appears to show oil fumes exiting one of the turbofans after the first start-up.

The aircraft (now registered as F-WWEA) was rolled out of the production plant in June and had initially been scheduled to start tests last year, which was later revised to May and then July.

Emirates, which is the launch customer for the GP7200-powered A380, is due to receive its first aircraft in October next year.