Filton delivers major A380 wing part

Citation

(2004), "Filton delivers major A380 wing part", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776aab.033

Filton delivers major A380 wing part

Filton delivers major A380 wing part

The first fixed trailing edge for the wings of the new Airbus A380 has recently been delivered from Airbus at Filton near Bristol to the sister site at Broughton in Flintshire, UK (Plate 2).

The enormous 36 m long “trailing” edges of the wings for the new double-decker “superjumbo” are being assembled at Filton before being delivered to the A380 wing assembly jigs at Broughton.

Plate 2 The first port-side fixed trailing edge for an A380 wing being assembled at Airbus, Filton

The first trailing edge – for a port-side wing was delivered in four sections each requiring a purpose-built lorry due to its size.

This major wing part comprises over 300 different components, made of the most advanced and lightweight metal (high tensile aluminium alloy).

The trailing edges are being assembled at Filton in a newly refurbished 60 m long £19 million facility using the latest in automated machines. At peak production around 45 people will work there.

Tom Williams, Managing Director and General Manager, Airbus UK said: “This is a major achievement for the Filton site, our suppliers and an important milestone in the A380 programme. This delivery is yet another step in the completion of the first set of A380 wings and a further step towards the aircraft's first flight in 2005.”