Update!

The A380 was not flying this week, but the show was still there!

The first TACA’s A321 came for some test flights, A346 for Thai and A332 for EVA also performed test flights under a dramatic sky.

Hi,

The Qatar A330 was delivered yesterday. Here are some shots of its departure. Unfortunately heat effect is visible on these distant shots, it is around 30-32°C these days here in Toulouse…

In addition, back from Hamburg, one small, new A320 for Kingfisher, latest A380 customer to date.

Not yet. As far as I know the 2nd Qatar special is scheduled to fly next week.

Last wednesday, the 1st Qatar with Doha livery flew an acceptance flight. Delivery in the next few days…

We were talking about Northwest, here is the newest one (reg N811NW, MSN690) 😉

And a small A320 for Air Deccan, which wears what I consider a light and not-so-beautiful livery. Another A320, but in a far better livery, representing a very attractive country : Air New Zealand

Actually, Skyraider, T-28 were used by the French Air Force as an attack aircraft in Algeria. But you’re right, the F4U-7 were an attack aircraft… and I’m too lazy to rebuilt the thumbs arrangement! 😉 :p

Is it owned by the same guy who has (had?) that even grubbier looking skyraider?

Right now, no, he “only” owns this Spitfire and a Corsair…

Has the flight test team accepted the second A380 into the flight test program yet and if so, when could we expect to see it flying?

No. The second A380 and also the third one can be seen outside the assembly building. The MSN002 has its engine fitted, the MSN004 (the white one, F-WWDD) has none.
As far as I know, first flight can occur in october. So the hand-over will be in few weeks. If I’m correct, it will fly unpainted, and will be ferried to Hamburg within days after first flight.

It was customer acceptance flight yesterday for the new KLM A332. They started with handling performance check flight, up to FL310+, then back to LFBO for touch&go, low height go-around, and full stop landing, followed by a RTO test.

Later on, Beluga #1 came back. It was recently repainted in new livery.

A new A320 for JetStar, coming from Hamburg.

And finally the new livery of WDL on the regular evening flight:

Thanks!

Another special Doha2006 A330 is being prepared for Qatar. Its color scheme is featuring blue splash, with other stylized sportsman. Each side is different.
I hope to be able to shoot a good pic of this new bird.

Currently Airbus production is in its summer pace. Not so much test flights, A346 is in maintenance. But the A380 is performing important test flights, yesterday she performed touch&gos in the morning and another flight in the afternoon.

Total flight hours : around 180h, for around 60 flights.

I’ll try to keep you informed through this thread. 😉