A380 OQA mostly repaired - Back in air by end of April?

[docjames]

Re: Nancy back in the air by End of April

Thanks for answering my question BR.

 

[Flying Fox]

A Qantas Airbus A380 aircraft which was badly damaged when an engine exploded mid-air should be back flying by the end of April.

Engine explosion Qantas A380 set to return to skies
​

 

[moa999]

Qantas Source reports the following:

[h=2]31st March 2012 - VH-OQA Tentative Return to Service Date.[/h] Airbus A380 VH-OQA has been pencilled in to return to traffic from 28th April 2012. It is initially expected to be operated on the QF127/QF128 Sydney - Hong Kong rotation.

 

[Ansett]

Qantas Source reports the following:

31st March 2012 - VH-OQA Tentative Return to Service Date.

Airbus A380 VH-OQA has been pencilled in to return to traffic from 28th April 2012. It is initially expected to be operated on the QF127/QF128 Sydney - Hong Kong rotation.

Will be good to see the old Gal back in the Skies wouldnt have minded if it had been operating QF9 on Wednesday as I will be on that flight

 

[jb747]

Re: Nancy back in the air by End of April

Not a chance I will EVER fly on this aircraft again.

Sorry, but I won't risk it.

Why?

I was told by one of the engineers working on the job that repairs had been taken back to manufacturing junctions. Which basically means it will be as strong as it was when it came off the line. Additionally, it will have been gone over with a very fine toothed comb, something that very rarely happens to any other aircraft.

 

[Ansett]

Re: Nancy back in the air by End of April

Why?

I was told by one of the engineers working on the job that repairs had been taken back to manufacturing junctions. Which basically means it will be as strong as it was when it came off the line. Additionally, it will have been gone over with a very fine toothed comb, something that very rarely happens to any other aircraft.

Jb I agree entirely with you and have no issue what so ever in flying on this bird..... Wonder which one will be doing QF9 on 4th April and I know it isnt Nancy

 

[jb747]

Re: Nancy back in the air by End of April

I'm guessing its not easy with the A380 to swap out the engines for the GP7270 instead.
GE engines tend to have a better safety record over RR.

I don't think there is any real impediment to changing the engines...but, the alternative has its own issues. As do they all really.

 

[jb747]

History has shown that lightning can strike twice, while I believe any QF repair will often result in a better than new situation, the fact QF chose to retire their two repaired 747s early does lend support to the logic of "why risk it".

As far as I know, H is still around (though I'll admit I don't keep track of the 747 fleet any more).

K was as good as new when repaired. There were no patches, doublers, and anything else. All back to the maker's junctions, and basically as it came off the line when the repair was finished. I understand it was retired simply because it was a approaching a very expensive service (and the dates for most of them have been based upon that).

 

[TonyHancock]

I'd have no problem flying on Nancy. I'd actually look forward to it. Got QF9, QF1 coming up in April and QF2, QF10 in May.

 

[jb747]

I'd have no problem flying on Nancy. I'd actually look forward to it. Got QF9, QF1 coming up in April and QF2, QF10 in May.

Off topic...but why do you change flights?

 

[mannej]

Markis- OJH is still around, as is QPA.

For those saying they won't fly Nancy, how are you going to know until you actually get to the gate?
Having flown on QPA in Feb 09 some 3-4 months after QF72, I can say that ignorance was bliss, as she was no different to any of the other 333's.

 

[TonyHancock]

Off topic...but why do you change flights?

A couple of reasons. On the way out I like the extra hour I get to break the journey up. Gives me time for a shower and a relaxing G&T in the SIN F lounge.

However the primary reason is SC's. 280* each way, MEL-LHR, by having the two separate flight numbers as opposed to 240 if I was on QF9/10.

* In J

 

[Ansett]

A couple of reasons. On the way out I like the extra hour I get to break the journey up. Gives me time for a shower and a relaxing G&T in the SIN F lounge.

However the primary reason is SC's. 280* each way, MEL-LHR, by having the two separate flight numbers as opposed to 240 if I was on QF9/10.

* In J

I like this have also checked First and one would get 840 for a return rather than the usual 720 so almost an extra 20% for no extra money. Will be doing this myslef in future.

Many thanks for the heads up

 

[jb747]

I guess I don't like lounges that much. To my way of thinking, the 9 is the less likely of the two to end up diverting (because it's much quieter when it arrives and enroute). Won't do any holding. And best of all, arrives before the roads turn into road blocks.

 

[TonyHancock]

I guess I don't like lounges that much. To my way of thinking, the 9 is the less likely of the two to end up diverting (because it's much quieter when it arrives and enroute). Won't do any holding. And best of all, arrives before the roads turn into road blocks.

I always plan to arrive on a Saturday so that I can avoid the traffic. I have a couple of QF9's scheduled too. SC's are less of a concern for me now. I thought I would need them when I booked my April trip.

QF9's arrival time is better. Hadn't really thought about it being quieter with regard to air traffic. Makes good sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[jb747]

QF9's arrival time is better. Hadn't really thought about it being quieter with regard to air traffic. Makes good sense.

The entire route is quite noticeably quieter. Makes it more likely that you'll get the flight planned altitudes, which means that you're less likely to end up trying to save fuel by slowing down...which in turn also makes you more likely to have the planned flight time.

 

[Flying Fox]

Qantas Source reports the following:

31st March 2012 - VH-OQA Tentative Return to Service Date.

Airbus A380 VH-OQA has been pencilled in to return to traffic from 28th April 2012. It is initially expected to be operated on the QF127/QF128 Sydney - Hong Kong rotation.

I heard that Mr Joyce will be on-board first flight.

 

[jb747]

I heard that Mr Joyce will be on-board first flight.

That'll make it safer....

 

[LiamR]

That'll make it safer....

IIRC he was also on the first A380 to fly after the QF Grounding?

I guess he's kind of like a lucky charm...

 

[Noob]

I guess he's kind of like a lucky charm...

Cheeky Liam!