Qantas works with Airbus to remedy A380 problem

Qantas says it is working with the manufacturers of the Airbus A-380 to fix a flight stability problem with one of the super jumbos it has on order.

The airline’s fifth A-380 was due to arrive at the end of this month but its arrival has now been put off until December.

Qantas says the delay is because it is discussing flight trim issues with the manufacturer.

Steve Purvinas from the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association says it is not a safety issue, but the aircraft becomes less fuel efficient.

“A trim system on an aircraft is designed to keep your aircraft flying straight through the air, when you’re travelling along a path you want your aircraft lined up like an arrow rather than flying through the air like a brick,” he said.

“What can happen is the aircraft can start to oscillate in a figure eight pattern, but you try to avoid all those things with your aircraft having an effective trim system.”

Three A-380s have already been grounded this year.

Source: ABC News