Airbus “superjumbo” makes maiden test flight

Airbus “superjumbo” makes maiden test flight

Airbus “superjumbo” makes maiden test flight

   European aircraft manufacturer Airbus’ superjumbo A380 aircraft made its first test flight this morning, with a crew of six and about 20 tons of test equipment, from its production site in Toulouse, France.

   The twin-deck aircraft can carry about 555 people. The three-deck long-range freighter version, the A380F, will be able to carry up to 152 tons of cargo on standard pallets over distances of up to 5,600 nautical miles (10,400 kilometers).

   The BBC reported the A380 took off at just after 08.30 GMT with the crew expected to take the plane out over the Bay of Biscay, before returning to Toulouse.