>> A380 Visit To Singapore Delayed


A380 PROTOTYPE MSN001's arrival at Singapore Changi Airport, scheduled on 8 Nov 2005, has been delayed. Rolls Royce, the powerplant maker, has requested Airbus to replace two of the aircraft's four Trent 900 turbo-fan engines. The engine changes, taken as a precaution, arise from a review of an earlier engine replacement.

Its new estimated date of arrival is 11 Nov 2005.

Airbus has also announced a slight change of MSN001's itinerary. Originally after Singapore, its next stop would have been Kuala Lumpur. Now, it will fly to Australia first - to participate in celebrations marking the Australian national carrier, Qantas' 85th anniversary - before going on to Kuala Lumpur.

The revised itinerary: Toulouse - Singapore - Brisbane - Sydney - Melbourne - Kuala Lumpur - Toulouse.

A380 prototype MSN001's crew (including back-up crew) includes: Jacques Rosay, chief test pilot; Peter Chandler, experimental test pilot; Claude Lelaie, senior vice president flight division; test pilot Frank Chapman; Fernando Alonso, chief flight test engineer and vice president flight test division; test flight engineer Gérard Desbois; flight test engineer Jean-Francois Bousquie; and flight test engineer Sylvie Loisel-Labaste – the only female crew member.

On this nine-day tour, Airbus plans to:
1. showcase the A380 to SIA, QANTAS and MAS before initial deliveries
2. assist airports to test for compatibility, equipment and facilities; and assess their readiness to serve the A380
3. take part in A380 promotions in Singapore, Australia and Malaysia.