Airbus plays it cool

Airbus

has put its new A380 superjumbo through a series of cold weather tests in Iqaluit, Canada. MSN004, the second A380 to fly, spent five days in conditions of up to -30°C to prove full functionality of its systems under extreme weather conditions.

The trials included powering up the aircraft, engines and hydraulic systems after a 12-hour period at ultra-low temperatures. The batteries were taken away overnight and kept in a warm area, then reinstalled onboard the aircraft for the tests.

On the way back from Iqaluit, the A380 also carried out polar navigation tests.

Earlier this month, high-altitude tests successfully took place in Medellin, Columbia — an airport at an altitude of 5,000ft.

MSN004 spent a week in Columbia carrying out engine tests at high-altitude airfields.

'Certification is a continuing process,' said Claude Lelaie, senior vice-president, flight division. 'The current routine is two flights a day on each aircraft, six days a week, in addition to the big test campaigns. We are happy with the plane's performance during the test campaigns.'