A380 first prototype question

Buzz · Post by **Buzz** » 15 Apr 2004, 10:47

I have read at A.net and other places that the first prototype of the A380 will be a model that can't actually fly, is that correct? It is meant for groundtests, I suppose...
Why do they do this? After the series of tests, it's useless, isn't it?
Are the other prototypes reconfigurates and sold?
Thanks for your replies!
Buzz

pilatus · Post by **pilatus** » 15 Apr 2004, 14:00

Well its true that they made a real live model of the A380. Some pilots of us went to Airbus last week and they saw it standing together with a real A340-500. The A340 was just a little one compared to the A380.

Greetz,

mrocktor · Post by **mrocktor** » 15 Apr 2004, 14:21

Structure tests are destructive, they fatigue the plane till it breaks. This aircraft has no systems installed, only the structure. Other prototypes that are actually flyable are usually reworked and sold (at a discount) at some point.

Sometimes the first flyable model is retained as a testbed for changes and improvements.

YACHTIE · Post by **YACHTIE** » 16 Apr 2004, 17:29

Structure tests are destructive, they fatigue the plane till it breaks. This aircraft has no systems installed, only the structure. Other prototypes that are actually flyable are usually reworked and sold (at a discount) at some point.

Sometimes the first flyable model is retained as a testbed for changes and improvements.

Having been involved in the design/test to production phases, it is actually surprising to discover the multitude of tests etc. required before one new aircraft type gets the ok from the authorities to fly, and once that happens there will be continuous tests and verification of customer problems from the field, designimprovements, derivatives (A380-XXX) etc. to be replicated by the manufacturer necessitating the availability of one or more prototypes for quite some time. Even more so with any new technology, airframe like the 380. Even though a lot of that work gets done thru computer simulation.

Unless one has actually experienced this process first hand it is difficult to imagine all that is involved.

HTH explain your prototype question

mrocktor · Post by **mrocktor** » 16 Apr 2004, 18:14

Right on YACHTIE, in the final certification drive for the E170 we had 7 prototypes plus the iron bird on a round-the-clock testing schedule.

Pete

Buzz · Post by **Buzz** » 16 Apr 2004, 19:37

mrocktor wrote:Right on YACHTIE, in the final certification drive for the E170 we had 7 prototypes plus the iron bird on a round-the-clock testing schedule.

Pete

whow, seven? how much A380's are they going to build for this purpose? I'm guessing not seven...