Would that be 3,500 of these (8 hp):
or these (635 hp):
Posted on 02/17/2006 10:02:33 AM PST by steel_resolve
Airbus said a wing of a 550-seat A380, the world's biggest commercial aircraft, snapped during factory stress tests at its headquarters. The company said the incident won't delay the first deliveries due by the end of the year.
Airbus spokeswoman Barbara Kracht said the rupture between two engines took place when the wing was going through "the last step" of a test where the wing tip is more than 24 feet away from its normal position when the aircraft is on the ground.
"We'll be able to demonstrate" that the plane meets requirements, "maybe with some refinements needed for certification in time for first delivery at the end of the year," Kracht said in a telephone interview Thursday.
The massive wing, with a span of about 262 feet, means the A380 barely squeezes into standard airport docking bays. It is designed to carry four engines with the thrust of 3,500 cars.
Airbus has had some recent production delays. The company shut its A380 assembly line from May until August to configure jet wiring and electronics, delaying deliveries for six months.
The adjustments on the A380 last year prompted the plane maker, based in Toulouse, France, to put off deliveries to its first recipient, Singapore Airlines, and subsequent deliveries to Emirates and Qantas Airways until December 2006.
One of the test A380 aircraft is set to fly at the Asian Aerospace air show in Singapore next week.
The $14 billion A380 development program marks Airbus' boldest project, as it aims to create an entirely new market niche for mammoth planes seating up to 850 passengers.
Yeah, right.
Note to self:Dont fly on the A380.
Bernie decides to become an aeronautical engineer. He goes to the best schools, studies hard and finally graduates. Soon he gains a reputation as the finest aeronautical engineer in all the land and starts his own company.
His company is such a hit that the President of the United States calls Bernie into his office. "Bernie," says the president, "we want to commission your company to build an advanced jet fighter for the United States Air Force. Go out and design the best jet fighter ever made."
Bernie is tremendously excited. The entire resources of his company go into building the most advanced jet fighter in history. But at the first test flight, disaster strikes: The wings can't take the strain and they break clean off of the fuselage! Bernie's company redesigns the jet, but again the wings break off. They try a third time, but the same thing happens.
Beside himself with worry, Bernie goes to the synagogue to pray. The rabbi sees Bernie and asks what's the matter. Bernie pours his heart out to the rabbi.
After hearing the problem, the rabbi put his arm on Bernie's shoulder and says, "I can solve your problem. Just drill a row of holes directly above and below where the wing meets the fuselage. If you do this I guarantee the wings won't fall off."
Bernie just smiles and thanks the rabbi for his simple advice. But the more he thinks about it, the more he realizes he has nothing to lose. So, Bernie does exactly as the rabbi said. On the next design of the jet, they drill a row of holes directly above and below where the wings meet the fuselage. And the test flight goes perfectly! The wings don't fall off!
Brimming with joy, Bernie goes to the synagogue to tell the rabbi that his advice worked.
"Naturally," says the rabbi.
"But Rabbi, how did you know that drilling the holes would prevent the wings from falling off?"
"Bernie," the rabbi says, "I'm an old man. I've celebrated Passover many, many times. And in all those years, not once - not once! - has the matzah ever broken along the perforation."
That's comforting.
I probably wouldn't fly in the thing, but then again, I dont like flying at all these days.
Would that be 3,500 of these (8 hp):
or these (635 hp):
A litle duct tape will fix it...
Unfortunately for Airbus, it's more than a goal... it's a REQUIRED margin of safety that they will eventually have to prove they meet.
"maybe with some refinements needed for certification in time for first delivery at the end of the year," Kracht said in a telephone
you bet ya....just a few refinements
its going to be like the British jet in the 50's...two crashes and they were through
Yah think? Just "some"?
It's starting to look like Boeing is still a good investment.
The plane has to withstand 150% of its rated load in the wing deflection test to get it's airworthiness certificate. They'll do some tweaking and try again.
That was the Comet. But the design lived on as the Nimrod maritime reconnaissance and antisubmarine aircraft. Eventually the design also went back into airline service.
Woops!
This test has to be done for every new model. They pull the wings up util they tear off from the body. It happened at 148% of maximum theoretical load instead of 150%.
Remember the Lockheed Electra ?
"FEA got it to within 3% of actual test results - That is pretty good "
Sorry, but the criteria in engineering is 150%. I guess when the plane you are riding in fails at 148% in some clear air turbulence, you will be chanting all the way down "that was close enough".
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