A380 and B747 wake vortice measurement flights (pics)

In order to assess the intensity of the wake vortices generated by the A380, Airbus sent an example (F-WWDD) to the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich in March this year.

Unique in the world, DLR can accurately measure this phenomena by means of a ground based system while the aircraft carries out approaches to the airfield.

Not satisfied with the results, Airbus returned with F-WXXL for more measurements on July 20, and this time they brought a B747-400 (D-ABVK) borrowed from Lufthansa with them as a reference! The two huge aircraft circled the airfield like two club Cessnas in the circuit for several hours without ever touching down however, returning afterwards to Toulouse and Frankfurt, respectively . A most impressive sight!

Still not content, the two aircraft types returned yet again for more measurements in somewhat different flight configurations on August 23, this time it was A380 F-WWOW and B747-400 D-ABTB.

The reactions among the noise-hyper-sensitive locals constitute a story in its own right :rolleyes:

Much more interesting in my opinion is the fact that Oberpfaffenhofen (EDMO) is probably the only airfield in the world (except for Toulouse, obviously) which has already had visits from three different A380 by now!

The pictures speak for themselves and were taken on July 20 and August 23: