How much water did A380 001 take on board?

[SN30952]

To test its gravity centre in flight, A380 001 took a lot of water on board.
Movable water tanks in the front and rear will be adjusted during flight to alter the centre of gravity.
Following an in-depth study, two test flight programmes and numerous laboratory and simulator tests, A380 engineers have also succeeded in moving the aircraft's centre of gravity aft by around six %.
This modification, coupled with a state-of-the-art fly-by-wire system, has facilitated a reduction of roughly 40 square metres in the area of the horizontal stabiliser and a consequent saving in weight*, while preserving the stability of the aircraft in-flight.

The A380 uses also some Concorde technology – it pumps fuel between tanks to balance its centre of gravity through the flight.

Now, does somebody know how much water?

[SN30952]

Look at the water tanks in front of the seats of the A380.


Suppose the tanks and content each weigh some 75 to 100 kilos?
Look at the pipes in the botom-left corner.
Let me guess, this is the lower of the 2 decks. Or was it a fish-eye lens?

[bigjulie]

The A380 uses also some Concorde technology – it pumps fuel between tanks to balance its centre of gravity through the flight.

Doesn't Boeing use the same technology, for weight ballancing during flight

[liebensd]

Fons,

A reporter of WRD told today on there television that it was almost 20 tons of water. The water was mentioned to demonstrate the weight of the passengers. There were also a lot of computers to capture almost 1 million parameters of the first flight.

Greetz,

Dave

[bigjulie]

The A380 uses also some Concorde technology – it pumps fuel between tanks to balance its centre of gravity through the flight.

Doesn't Boeing use the same technology, for weight ballancing during flight

I am still waiting for an answer to this question, anybody know

[SN30952]

it was almost 20 tons of water. The water was mentioned to demonstrate the weight of the passengers.

As a test I can understand they would not simulate a full load of passengers.
But a first glance this is not even half full: and then to consider there is not even taken into account galleys and catering, sanitary water in the toilets, the amenities and last but not least the cabin crew....
Some people told me once, it was more difficult to fly an empty aicraft than one with a load.
Was the water not rather a fluid 'chuckable' ballast?

[SAA-SAL]

On the walls on eachside the tubing looks like two big toothbrushes! 8O

[bits44]

Weight problems continue to be a major concern, I don't think we are going to see many swimming pools,deli's, and all the other stuff people were dreaming about. Fact is you'll probably have to take your own lawn chair.




http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/article ... 93,00.html

[bigjulie]

Doesn't Boeing use the same technology, for weight ballancing during flight; I am still waiting for an answer to this question, anybody know Anybody care

[bits44]

Doesn't Boeing use the same technology, for weight ballancing during flight; I am still waiting for an answer to this question, anybody know Anybody care

Hi Bigjulie,

Just wanted to help out a little, You are correct, Boeing uses computer controlled water tank system to move weight around fore and aft as well as side to side, however when I was just getting into the Airline Industry I was lucky enough to attend Boeing's first flight of the 747 at Everett Washington, and if I remember correctly they used sand bags at that time.

KT

[SN30952]

I was lucky enough to attend Boeing's first flight of the 747 at Everett Washington, and if I remember correctly they used sand bags at that time. KT

Isn't water heavier than sand?
On the other hand, when one crashes with sand ballast, he bites the ...
dust?
DU was also used: it's almost twice as dense as lead. DU has also been used as ballast, weights or counterwights, on ships, satellites and aircraft. Each B747 required about 1500 pounds of ballast (or counterweights), and as many as 15,000 DU weights were manufactured for this purpose. In recent years, DU has been replaced by tungsten in aircraft ballast.
The ELAL that crashed in AMS, was carrying 282 kg of DU as ballast, and a B747 that crashed in England in 2000 was carrying 1500 kg of DU.

Even in 1904 the Wright brothers needed a ballast: a 70 pounds of iron bar ballast was fixed to the front elevator to move the center of gravity farther forward. The weight of the aircraft then increased to about 900 pounds with the pilot. The ballast improved the handling of the aircraft and Wilbur was able to complete the first circuit of the airfield on September 20, 1904.

I remember also having to add sanitary water on a B707c (the mixed version Sabena used to fly), just to get the (empty) aircraft in balance over Lake Vic.

And I once saw this notice: With water ballast on board aerobatics are not permitted.

[earthman]

I remember also having to add sanitary water on a B707c (the mixed version Sabena used to fly), just to get the (empty) aircraft in balance over Lake Vic.

And I once saw this notice: With water ballast on board aerobatics are not permitted.

Was this notice in the 707?

[SN30952]

And I once saw this notice: With water ballast on board aerobatics are not permitted.
Was this notice in the 707?

No there the notice read : With beer on board aerobatics are not permitted. hahaha btw I was talking about long ago, in 70' :cheers:

[bigjulie]

anybody know anybody care

Somebody does know & care, ta bits44

[bits44]

You're Welcome

KT