The Engine Alliance GP7200-powered Airbus A380 test aircraft has visited Oslo this week for additional cold weather tests ahead of the award of European and US type certification tomorrow (14 December).

A380 MSN009 (F-WWEA) arrived at Oslo’s Gardermoen airport on 11 December. The manufacturer says the A380 was in Oslo to undertake trials in freezing fog conditions. “These were additional to the cold weather trials already undertaken for certification. The conditions in freezing fog are different to very, very cold – when it is dry,” says Airbus.

A380 Oslo thumb 

 ©Håkon Løkken www.otterway.no

The GP7200-powered A380 secured external noise performance validation from European Aviation Safety Agency and US Federal Aviation Administration last month, and type certification is due to be awarded on 14 December, says Airbus.

A380 in Oslo2

 ©Håkon Løkken www.otterway.no


Emirates is the first customer for the GP7200-powered version of the ultra large aircraft, and is due to receive its first A380s in mid-2008. The airline’s first aircraft is currently in Hamburg undergoing cabin furnishing and painting.

Source: FlightGlobal.com