>> A380: Maiden Flight
by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 28 April 2005


WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2005 marked a special event in aviation history.

Precisely at 0829GMT, A380 prototype MSN001 (Registration F-WWOW) lifted off runway 32L at Toulouse-Blagnac airfield on its first test flight. Jacques Rosay, Airbus chief test pilot and Vice-President, captained the first half of the three hours 54 minutes while Claude Lelaie, Senior Vice-President of Flight Division, took charge in the other half. The aircraft landed at 1223GMT.

The picture shows MSN001 rotating on take-off at the precise moment.

Others in the flight test team included:
> Fernando Alonso, Vice-President, Airbus Flight Division (flight test engineer in charge of flight controls and aircraft structure).
> Jacky Joye, flight test engineer in charge of engines, fuel and other systems.
> Manfred Birnfeld, flight test engineer in charge of systems.
> Gerard Desbois, test flight engineer.

The take-off weight at 421 tonnes (928,300 lb) was a record high for airliners.


PHOTO: Sam Chui/Jetphotos.net