4 ms·
Just a genuine question: A while ago, Airbus retired the A380 [1]. Why would they experiment on a retired airframe, considering the thrust requirements are ver
by srvmshr 5y ago
Just a genuine question:
A while ago, Airbus retired the A380 [1]. Why would they experiment on a retired airframe, considering the thrust requirements are very specific to large widebody jets?
[1] https://time.com/5529439/airbus-a380-retired/ https://time.com/5529439/airbus-a380-retired/
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- mwint 5y ago4-engine airframes are nice, because you can put the test engine as No. 2 or 3 (next to the fuselage), with the rest conventional. If the test engine fails you can continue flying without much issue. Much bigger deal if you use a 2-engine airframe and half your engines fail.
- sithadmin 5y agoWith dual engine airframes, the usual engine test approach is to just bolt the test engine nacelle to a pylon that juts out from the side of the main fuselage. It looks absurd, but doesn't compromise the main propulsion and apparently works. One of many examples: https://theaviationist.com/2012/05/10/dont-worry-this-weird-plane-with-5-engines-is-just-a-flying-test-bed-for-a-quite-innovative-fod-resistant-engine/ https://theaviationist.com/2012/05/10/dont-worry-this-weird-...
- mwint 5y agoCool, I remember hearing about this now. Looks weird, but if it works it works.
- qbrass 5y agoHydrogen has a poor volume to power ratio so you'll need a lot of it to do long-range testing and it's easier to fill an unused cabin with tanks to prove it's viable before designing a plane around them.