As I expected. :rolleyes:
Overweight superjumbo won’t guzzle, Airbus vows
July 5, 2004
Associated Press WorldStreamPARIS_
Airbus SAS conceded Monday what aviation watchers have long suspected: The European aircraft maker’s new A380 superjumbo has a weight problem.According to the company’s own projections, an Airbus spokeswoman said, the largest commercial airliner ever built will weigh 290 metric tons (319 short tons) _ about 5 percent heavier than the previous target.
The figures were first reported in Monday’s edition of German weekly Der Spiegel, citing internal Airbus documents.
“These are our working assumptions,” Kracht said when questioned about the report.
The weight of an aircraft has a direct impact on its fuel efficiency, a key benchmark for airlines deciding what planes to buy.
But Kracht insisted that the A380 Airbus will still meet its fuel efficiency target _ 131 kilometers (81 miles) for one gallon of kerosene per passenger _ when the plane goes into service in spring 2006.
“That remains the objective and remains what we will match,” she said.
Airbus and U.S. rival Boeing Co. are going head-to-head with very different visions for the future of commercial aviation.
Airbus _ which delivered more planes than Boeing for the first time in 2003 _ sees a market for superjumbos carrying passengers via major regional and connecting flights. Boeing is meanwhile staking its future on direct point-to-point routes serviced by its 217-seater 7E7 “Dreamliner,” to be launched in 2008.
Both companies, however, are betting on improved efficiency to win over the airlines.
According to Kracht, Airbus could compensate for the A380’s bulge by improving aerodynamic performance to maintain fuel efficiency.
“Even assuming it was slightly heavier but on the other side you have better aerodynamics, the end result is that you are meeting performance,” she said.
Another option could be to squeeze more weight out of plane parts and furnishings such as passenger seats, galleys and toilets. But analysts say components have already been pared to a minimum, with lighter composite materials accounting for a full 20 percent of the A380
and they haven’t even fitted any interrior, flaps, engines or hydraulics to it yet
By: KabirT - 9th July 2004 at 14:28
Not surprised to see this problem come up, and Airbus will definately come through it, they are no morons out there. But how effectivly, thats what we will have to see.
By: MapleLeaf_330 - 9th July 2004 at 14:12
Who wants to work out at 35,000ft anyway? Just give us a stellar inflight entertainment system instead. I would love it if there was a camera on the tail (like the346???) and you could tune in the view on your personal tv.
By: Bmused55 - 9th July 2004 at 06:20
If history repeats,
The B777 was built on target and exceeded the performance figures by approx 2%. The A340-600 was overweight, and has been plagued by problems. It therefore is no surprise that now we here the A380 is overweight.
That my point. Now I’m not baching airbus, but we all know how they have a history of not meeting targets. I’m not at all surprised the A380 is overweight. Its possiblem and likely that Airbus will sort it out. But, its just as possible they can’t.
Just for info, the current overwight issue equates to 14tons, or 130 pax!!
By: skycruiser - 9th July 2004 at 03:55
Yes true, but see the problem is a more delicate situation due to that the size of the A380 is considerably more than these other aircraft, all i can say is that i hope they work it out!
I hope they do sort it out. The problem is that airlines order these aircraft on the performance figures QUOTED by the manufacturer, if these are not met then it’s the airline that get screwed. It happened to our airline.
By: dartie - 9th July 2004 at 03:18
Yes true, but see the problem is a more delicate situation due to that the size of the A380 is considerably more than these other aircraft, all i can say is that i hope they work it out!
By: ACA345 - 9th July 2004 at 03:17
If history repeats,
The B777 was built on target and exceeded the performance figures by approx 2%. The A340-600 was overweight, and has been plagued by problems. It therefore is no surprise that now we here the A380 is overweight.
Yes, I have always been impressed by Boeing when they contiually exceed their performance figures. Especially with the 773ER, and hopefully with the 772LR. But about the A346, the main issue was with the wing. So with the A380 I believe the main problem is with the fuselage. Could this change how the problems are delt with and what solutions are found?
By: skycruiser - 9th July 2004 at 03:12
If history repeats,
The B777 was built on target and exceeded the performance figures by approx 2%. The A340-600 was overweight, and has been plagued by problems. It therefore is no surprise that now we here the A380 is overweight.
By: ACA345 - 9th July 2004 at 03:06
The refining of the A380 will take place over the next few years as they test, certify, and hand it over to the airlines. So, I am not surprised about these issues, but I hoped that the weight would not be this big a issue. From what I have read, the fuselage (mainly) and the wings are the largest problems. But, these are the heaviest components anyway so most of the improvent can be made here. Also, weight has been added by the engines that have been modified (for sound and emmisions) and now the prospect of interior fittings is adding another burden. But can aerodynamics cancel out these problems. I honestly dont know. Also, some possible things that may happen, and I have been hearing this, is that all of the test frames will be overweight and possibly the first one that is delivered to SQ. This did not make sense to me, but that is just speculation. Suposedly, all frames after that will have a weight that meets specifications. So this means that problems are being found and the soulutions can not be implemented until later frams enter production. All I can do is speculate and share things I have read. Any other information?
By: dartie - 9th July 2004 at 02:47
Yeah i Know i dont seem to go on forums much anymore but im correcting that can you add me on msn messenger: [email]michaeldart@hotmail.com[/email]
By: steve rowell - 9th July 2004 at 02:35
Hello young Dartie, where have you been hiding, good to see you back
By: dartie - 9th July 2004 at 02:17
I was waiting for something like this to arise, i mean come on, its one big aircraft!, but im sure the problem will be fixed this people are experts they know what they are doing, one thing that has got me wondering is, that maybe it will affect the airlines orders for the aircraft, but i dont think any airline will act irrationally until they know for sure if the problem will be alright or not!
By: Ren Frew - 9th July 2004 at 01:51
The A380 is an engineering challenge as far as I can see ? If this is the only problem encountered so farthen it’s not going to be too long until we see it in the air. Losing weight is easy.
By: Whoops - 9th July 2004 at 01:42
Show me an aircraft without a weight-problem in the beginning…
The last kilos to be lost are always the hardest, so just wait till it flyes.
Whoops
By: steve rowell - 9th July 2004 at 00:54
Airbus: A380 has a weight problem (So does my Mrs )
I’m sure Airbus will find their way around these glitches
By: MINIDOH - 8th July 2004 at 23:58
I agree. I wouldnt be suprised to see a bar occasionally, but a gym or shops etc is very unlikely. It is likely though that they will find many things that were added and are not needed, and we have to remember a lot of a little makes a lot. So if they cut down things even if only by a small amount, it all adds up.
P.S. Let me just remind everyone that my comments are not influenced by me being within Europe. I am very anti Airbus so dont think that my views are because of the A380 bringing Britain £££. They arent stupid though. They have shown this by overtaking Boeing! They will find a way out.
By: John Boyle - 8th July 2004 at 23:25
Maybe they’ll cut…
Yup. But they will probably find a way around it. Didnt the 757 have a weight problem too? (I may be wrong). Airbus arent stupid (although I wonder sometimes), I cant see it being a failure before its first flight. They will cut things down. Less lavatories, less bar equipment… aircraft manufacturers normally find a way.
I’d be surprised if many (if any) of those neat things hinted at by Airbus and its customers…a gym, duty free shops, showers, etc. ever show up. Remember the spiral staircase and piano lounge in the first 747s?
Airlines will just cram more fares inside.
By: MINIDOH - 8th July 2004 at 23:16
Yup. But they will probably find a way around it. Didnt the 757 have a weight problem too? (I may be wrong). Airbus arent stupid (although I wonder sometimes), I cant see it being a failure before its first flight. They will cut things down. Less lavatories, less bar equipment… aircraft manufacturers normally find a way.
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July 8, 2004 at 8:24 pm