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Posted on 10/06/2006 7:56:40 AM PDT by magellan
Rolls-Royce has suspended production of its Trent 900 engine for a year in the wake of this week's announcement by Airbus parent company EADS that the A380 "Superjumbo" delivery schedule had been put back for a third time.
The Trent 900 is one of two engine models due to be bolted to the A380 - the other being the GE-P&W Engine Alliance GP7200
The implications for the workforce at the Derby plant which produces the Trent 900 are unknown. According to the BBC, Rolls-Royce said "it was too early to say what impact the decision to cut output would have on its employees".
The company added: "We are waiting for more details about requirements from Airbus. Once we are clear on that and any potential impact on future workload, we will consult with the unions."
Rolls-Royce did stress, however, that the Derby plant - which is home to 11,000 workers - also made engines for Boeing and Bombardier, and that the Trent 900 currently accounts for only a fraction of the firm's total sales, while all civil engine output "accounted for only about 20 per cent of the company's turnover".
The first Airbus A380 is now slated for delivery in October 2007. There have been mutterings of discontent among airlines waiting to get behind the controls of the behemoth, with hefty compensation claims likely over the now considerably delayed delivery schedule.
Hmm, while they're in slowdown I wonder if I can get RR to build me one for atop my car.
If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.
No problem. Airbus will replace the Rolls Royce engines with giant rubber bands.
Look on the bright side, mon ami. With no engines, the fuel economy improves substantially, n'est ce pas?
I'm sure the plant will be getting plenty of orders from both Boeing and Bombardier now to take up the slack.
I dont know why anyone would design an airplane that wont fit in any of the existing airports anyway.
Airbus sells the plane and all the airports have to spend millions of dollars so it can land. Doesnt make sense.
You'll end up like that Chevy that had a JATO unit and ended up making a small crater in the wall of a cliff four miles down the road.
It's the death rattle of Airbust and its flying white elephant.
Socialism at its finest.
http://www.snopes.com/autos/dream/jato.asp
You probably know all about this entry in snopes.com then...
(It is good for a laugh!)
Heard about it on Paul Harvey yesterday. It appeared to be news to him. It was discussed on FR at least by the year 2000.
The 380 will never be built. I wonder how the Euros are going to figure out a way to blame it on George Bush?
I'm glad this isn't hurting Rolls Royce. I'd hate to see the manufacture of those wonderful engines in trouble.
Maybe, but most buyers of Boeings opt for GE or P&W engines, not Rolls.
No doubt. But Rolls Royce's Trent 900 engine is only used on the A380. So if they spin down production, they will have to spin it back up again. It won't hurt Rolls that much, but it may create cost and supply challenges for Airbus.
Terrorists are deeply saddened.
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