Maiden Flight of Airbus A380: First Take-Off also for FAG Bearings

SCHWEINFURT, April 27, 2005. "After innumerable test rig trials and engine test runs we are convinced that our bearings will meet all the requirements. But of course it is something special when the bird takes off for the very first time" Dr. Matthias Gather, Head of FAG Aerospace in Schweinfurt, readily admits that he had been awaiting the first flight of the A380 superjumbo on April 27th with some excitement. This is hardly surprising as the products from FAG Kugelfischer¡¯s aerospace division make a decisive contribution to the safe take-off and landing of the aircraft which can weigh up to 600 tons when fully loaded. All eight main shaft bearings for the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine that powered the maiden flight come from Schweinfurt. FAG is one of the leading manufacturers of super precision bearing systems for jet engines worldwide. Nearly all modern passenger aircraft use the knowhow and bearing technology from FAG. The GP7000 engine from Pratt & Whitney and General Electric is the second engine concept to power the Airbus A380 and it also incorporates FAG products. FAG Aerospace developed and manufactures the bearings in Stratford/Canada. Four such powerful engines are needed to take the Airbus off the ground. Each of them generates a thrust of approximately 35 tons, corresponding to an output of more than 100,000 hp. So it should be obvious even to the layman that the bearings have to withstand enormous forces. But despite their powerful performance, the engines operate at particularly low noise levels and provide economical fuel consumption. After eight years of lead and development time, the maiden flight is another milestone for the A380, following the splendid presentation of the largest-ever passenger aircraft in January. The first A380 with passengers is scheduled to take off in the spring of 2006. But even today the superjumbo can be called a bestseller. Airbus customers have placed firm orders for 150 airliners. And all these come with products from FAG Aerospace. So the day of the maiden flight was an ordinary workday for most employees. Serial production of the bearings is running at full capacity. After all, the company can build on long-term supply contracts for both engine concepts. ¡°It¡¯s possible that we treat ourselves to a glass of red wine this evening to mark the event¡°, said Dr. Gather who followed the maiden flight with his management colleagues during a normal product line meeting over coffee and mineral water.