The A380 receives joint certification from EASA and FAA

Articles: The A380 receives joint certification from EASA and FAA

Posted by admin on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 05:29 PM

12 December 2006

The signing of the A380 type certificate was a very formal occasion, yet the mood in the large hall was festive. Against the backdrop of a floodlit A380, a succession of speakers highlighted this was a major milestone not only for the A380 and for Airbus, but also for the history of aviation.

Louis Gallois, Airbus President and CEO, stated: "The A380 is the largest civil airliner and the first full passenger double-decker ever developed and certified. It will make history in this century. From a technical point of view, we can now confirm that it is meeting - or even exceeding - expectations in terms of performance, range, environmental friendliness and cabin comfort. The support of our customers is the best evidence that this product will become the flagship in many airline fleets."

The A380 certification is the first to be jointly completed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Our co-operation on the A380 should be an example for future projects," said EASA Executive Director Patrick Goudou.

A feeling echoed by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey: "What brings us here is an example of superb co-operation among Airbus, EASA and the FAA... An example of what happens when there's a resolution to get the job done."

"Today we write another chapter in aviation history with the joint certification of the A380 by the European and U.S. airworthiness authorities EASA and FAA," said Alain Garcia, Airbus Executive Vice-President Engineering, who received the certificates from Patrick Goudou and Marion Blakey.

"The A380 is not only the most spacious civil aircraft ever built, but it is also the most advanced - representing a unique technology platform from which all of our future aircraft programmes will evolve," said Alain Garcia.

The spirit of the occasion was summed up by Marion Blakey: "The size of this aircraft is indicative of just how big dreams can be... When you bring great minds together, safety is the natural by-product. And safety, after all, is what gives man wings to fly."

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