Airbus A380 Production

A380 Production Update: September 2010 (#3)

Oliver Gigacz — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:07:17 +0000

The tail for China Southern’s first A380 (MSN031) has arrived in Toulouse on board an Airbus Beluga.

Over the next few days MSN031 will enter body join, which is expected to take around two weeks.

Image Courtesy of Philip Gallerand

A380 Production Update: September 2010 (#2)

Oliver Gigacz — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:55:53 +0000

Qantas’s eleventh A380 (MSN063) has been confirmed as the new frame being transported on Convoy #15/2010.

All componenets except for the center fuselage are currently en route to Toulouse. The center fuselage is expected to arrive later this month on Convoy #16/2010.

Over in Hamburg, both MSN047 (Qantas #7) and MSN056 (Emirates #14) have finished cabin furnishing and are now awaiting to be painted.

MSN056 is expected to be delivered in late October, while MSN047 will be delivered in late November.

Images Courtesy of Aranes380 and Philip Gallerand

A380 Production Update: September 2010 (#1)

Oliver Gigacz — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:19:05 +0000

Yesterday marked the beginning of the fifteenth Convoy for 2010. Convoy #15 departed “Langon” at 22:00 local time.

The components being transported are…

Center Fuselage (MSN031 – China Southern #1)
Forward Fuselage, Rear Fuselage, Wing Pair, Tailplane (Unknown MSN – Speculations – MSN060 (Emirates), MSN063 (Qantas))

Convoy #15 will arrive in Toulouse on September 2nd, at around 01:00.

A380 Production Update: August 2010 (#14) A380 Milestone

Oliver Gigacz — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:23:52 +0000

Yesterday, Air France’s sixth A380 (MSN064) performed her first flight. This was no ordinary first flight, in fact it marked a major milestone for the A380 program. MSN064 just happens to be the fiftieth A380 constructed.

All of us here at A380 Production would like to congratulate Airbus and everyone involved in the A380 program on getting to this milestone.

Both MSN064 and MSN052 (Air France #5) will be stored in Toulouse until a spot opens up in the outfitting bays in Hamburg.

Final Assembly Line – Update:

Lufthansa’s sixth A380 (MSN066) had it’s first engine installed this week. We don’t expect to see MSN066 on the flightline until the end of September.

Image Courtesy of A380Spotter

A380 Production Update: August 2010 (#13)

Oliver Gigacz — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:22:12 +0000

Yesterday, Air France’s sixth A380 (MSN064) began taxi tests.

A rejected take off test is scheduled for today, While the first flight is scheduled for Friday.

Delivery to Air France is scheduled for April 2011.

Image Courtesy of Yannick DELAMARRE

A380 Production Update: August 2010 (#12)

Oliver Gigacz — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:24:12 +0000

Late last week Airbus delivered Lufthansa’s third A380 (MSN044).

MSN044 was scheduled to stay in Hamburg until the 25th August, before being transported to Frankfurt.

Image Courtesy of Phillip Gallerand

A380 Production Update: August 2010 (#11)

Oliver Gigacz — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:28:37 +0000

Some interesting news, Lufthansa’s fourth A380 (MSN048) has begun cabin testing prior to being painted.

To our understanding this is first tme a frame has begun cabin testing prior to being painted. We are unsure if this will become a common site. Only time will tell.

Image Courtesy of David Barrie

A380 Production Update: August 2010 (#10)

Oliver Gigacz — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:54:59 +0000

Finally after thirty one weeks in Final Assembly, Qantas’s tenth A380 (MSN062) has been moved to the flightline.

Most of us expecting MSN062 to roll out over a month ago, and perform her first flight around now. But with this delay we won’t expect to see MSN062 in the air until the middle of September.

Delivery to Qantas is still on track for March 2011.

Image Courtesy of JasperTV

A380 Production Update: August 2010 (#9)

Oliver Gigacz — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:47:42 +0000

With Convoy #14/2010 arriving in Toulouse, another is announced. Convoy #15/2010 is scheduled to begin on August 30th.

The Convoy will be carrying the center fuselage for China Southern’s first A380 (MSN031) and also a forward fuselage, rear fuselage, wing pair and tail plane for an unknown MSN.

A380 Production Update: August 2010 (#8)

Oliver Gigacz — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:03:42 +0000

I would like to apologize to everyone for there being no updates over the past few days. This will most likely to continue over the next couple of weeks, as most of Airbus is on holidays.

All of us here at A380 Production are still on full alert and we will certainly post any news if any should come about.

Regards

Oliver Gigacz

Administrator