An excellent piece of work
mfranjic well put together. It shows as I think I have said before ? It will make it easier for EK to swap New Gen ULRs onto LR routes and only loose 3 ecomany seats, more fleet flexibility !
I thank You sincerely,
stealthmanbob, for those kind words of praise for my effort!
The challenge for the creating of that post was, from the one side, to recognize the differences between the specific
EK´s
A380 frames, respectively to reveal the possibility of their recognition individually, and on the other side, to show all that in one place in an intriguing and interesting, but technically rather challenging and hitherto yet, at least as far as I am concerned, unexplored way...
Following some new insights as a result of the knowledge obtained by the creation of the post in the question, I have tried to find out the cabin configurations of some other
EK´s
Airbus A380 frames, and which are now in the different production stages...
There is no doubt that the ´next generation´ of the
Emirates´
A380 ULR frames represents a significant step forward for the company in an effort of more efficient use of the cabin space of this unique aircraft.
And the whole story would have been great if another and very significant problem had not appeared, and this is the one with the
Trent 900 engines and all that just before the delivery of the first aircraft with this type of the engines to the airline.
Pretty bad and, for the most, unexpected introduction to the new chapter. And some questions impose on its own; Why just now? ... What´s the problem? ... How could they discover this kind of problem at all, since there was no aircraft of that type in use with this airline and in this particular environment conditions? ...
Qatar has no experience with this type of aircraft and neither the
Etihad. Their
A380s are all powered with
GP7200 engines just as those existing
Emirates´.
So what´s the problem? Is that all just because of many billions of high-velocity, abrasive dust and sand particles impacting the critical airfoil surfaces of compressor blades and vanes, eroding away the exposed surfaces, thin metal tips and trailing edges? Just because of the cooling system in the turbine that might become seriously threatened, undermined and ultimately completely incapacitated because of the clogged cooling channels? Does inevitable result might be really so progressive and rapid degradation of engine performance to the extent of premature engine failure or at least unacceptably common and expensive visits to the engine shop? Yes, that´s right! And this is the serious problem now. And if I start to talk about it now from the technical side, it will last too long. Not now. Not here...
So, we have no aircraft tested with the engine in the question and in the particular climate and environment conditions, but there is a big concern because of the potential problem. Hm... Sir Tim Clark is not willing to accept the aircraft with the engines on which might appear, already shortly described, phenomena and problems. He is an very wise, experienced and technically very well educated person who wants to get the best for the money he has on disposal. Behave in such a way, is his right. And his duty. The fact he is at the head of such a company, gives him the freedom to be sometimes very, very demanding and complicated to talk to. And why is he so sure all of a sudden he might have the problems with the new engines? Where was he until now and what was he waiting for?
I am absolutely sure that, at least one,
Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine has been exposed, since it was announced that the future
Emirates´
Airbus A380 aircraft are going to be powered by new type of engine, to those simulated conditions, so specific and characteristic for the environment in which it should work safely, reliably and that for a long period of time. Is it possible to create such a specific testing conditions at all? Of course it is! Take a look at this
(click on the images)I believe no one has remembered, exactly at this point, of all this just to create some new terms, circumstances and positions for the new negotiations. This situation has been conditioned by the defectation of the engine(s) on which the testings were performed. This is not just one of those stories which is the purpose to itself. No. I am sure that the tested engine(s) was thoroughly dismantled and carefully inspected to the smallest detail, leading the engineers to those recorded and significant changes on some of the engine parts...
And what now? Those engines could work, but with the significantly more frequent inspections and services, all until the appearance of the revised and redesigned engines or ... to send them all to the factory to make all the necessary improvements and changes on them. The big question is if the Emirates and Sir Tim Clark are willing to wait for the new aircraft with the expected specifications, and that should bring the profit to the company in the meantime.
And what are the questions so necessary to be raised at this point? Is it technically feasible to make all the necessary finishing and modifications on the engines? Of course it is. Is it simple to realize all that? Not at all. What is the main concern now? Who will pay for all this, and how long it will take? Am I, personally, surprised with all this? Unfortunately, I am not. Disappointed? Exceptionally.
What would I do if I was Sir Tim Clark? I would say:´
The features and the specifications of the engines are as expected, but their planned and expected durability and reliability are, not only questionable, but almost entirely unacceptable. I need those aircraft now and I want You to deliver them with the existing engines, and how those redesigned engines will become available, You will deliver me the new aircraft with the modified new engines and over the time those existing and already delivered engines You will return to the factory just to perform all the necessary modifications on them. On Your own expense, of course. I sincerely believe and hope in our future and successful cooperation. I think that would be all. For now. Thank You... ´
Kind regards
Mario