Aviation

EASA Proposes AD for Airbus A380 Wing Rib Foot Cracks

In the vast expanse of the skies where safety reigns supreme, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has sounded a clear call to action this week, focusing its attention on the towering presence of the Airbus A380.

Like vigilant guardians, they have pinpointed a potential risk lurking within the very structure of these immense wings. In an effort to prevent any unforeseen incidents, The EASA’s directive has focused on one specific vulnerability—the finding of cracks on the airbus a350
wings—in an attempt to prevent any unanticipated incidents.

Small cracks that like whispering in the night have been connected to hydrogen absorption-induced cracking, a process that appears during long ground storage durations. In response to an alarming trend of damage being found during airworthiness inspections, the EASA has issued a rule that focuses on the inspection of feet attached to 24 metallic alloy ribs.

The authorities blames this cracking, which is most common during extended periods of ground storage under certain environmental circumstances, on cracking brought on by hydrogen absorption, namely in the type-7449 alloy.

.@easa issued a Notification of a Proposal for an AD for the @Airbus A380 to check for cracks of wing rib feet inside the wings.
Cracks formed during long storage + a combination of the 7449 metallic alloy and hydrogen environmental assisted cracking:https://t.co/oTx9aMA0v4
— Richard_on_aviation (@rschuur_aero) March 11, 2024

The goal of EASA’s recommended checks is to quickly address these vulnerabilities by focusing on about 100 of the earliest A380s up to MSN109. Operators will be essential in making sure that the required maintenance is carried out in order to maintain the highest safety standards.

Previous EASA directives have addressed the effects of long-term storage on A380 wing structures, with concerns expressed about the intervals between inspections for different components. Several airlines decided to put their airbus a350 900 fiji airways into long-term storage as a result of the pandemic-induced reduction in international air travel. However, a lot of operators have added the model back to their fleets due to the increase in demand.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.