The new year has brought MSN033, the first A380 for Air France (European launch customer), out to the flightline in Toulouse today. This particular airframe was delivered to final assembly in December 2007 and completed its initial body join on February 12, 2008. F-WWSB, which will eventually wear F-HPJA, now has its four GP7200 engines installed and should take its maiden flight within the next two to three weeks. F-HPJA is expected to enter service in Special thanks to David Barrie for the photograph.
on January 7, 2009 7:37 PM | Reply
I understand that the GP7200 engine is more fuel efficient than the RR equivalent engine. Would anyone have a source to any data?
Thanks.
on January 7, 2009 10:00 PM | Reply
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/08/12/314672/video-emirates-a380-expected-to-confirm-improved-gp7200-fuel-burn.html
Emirates A380 expected to confirm improved GP7200 fuel-burn.
on January 7, 2009 10:15 PM | Reply
"Since entering revenue service on the first Emirates A380 on August 1st, we've experienced no engine related issues that could have caused a disruption for Emirates," Engine Alliance Product Support Director Ed Bendernagel said. "The engines have performed as well, if not better, than we expected," Bendernagel said. "But the real story is the fuel efficiency."
The A380 is a fuel efficient aircraft, and the GP7200 engine offers the lowest fuel consumption available on the aircraft.
on January 8, 2009 11:06 AM | Reply
Sep 2009 is the expected EIS date for MSN 33.
on January 8, 2009 7:07 PM | Reply
I can't wait to see the Air France Airbus a 380 in the skyes of Montreal and plus I wish to fly on board of the Air France Airbus a 380.
on January 8, 2009 7:08 PM | Reply
I can't wait to see the Air France Airbus a 380 in the skyes of Montreal and plus I wish to fly on board of the Air France Airbus a 380.
on January 8, 2009 7:57 PM | Reply
I love those GP7200 engines much more than the RRs.
The GPs are even quieter.
on January 9, 2009 2:47 PM | Reply
Air France has announced today that they will change their color scheme.. SO I don't understand why they didn't paint this A380 with the new C/S ?
on January 9, 2009 7:58 PM | Reply
The Trents on the A380s have a vibration problem and Singapore Airlines have changed some engines due to this problem.
on January 10, 2009 8:37 AM | Reply
Re: new Air France paint scheme:
The tail would have been painted at about the same time as fuselage join-up, so there would have been no sign af a change then, and now AF can hope to keep it secret until delivery, when no doubt the PR team will have a ball ... Keeps the paparazzi on tenterhooks too - I wonder if the secret will be out when the aircraft leaves interior furnishing at Hamburg, well before delivery ...
on January 11, 2009 7:17 AM | Reply
well i have worked on this particular aircraft and would def not wanna fly on any of them.