Will Undergo Cold Wx Tests In Canada

Is there a parka big enough to cover a whalejet? We may soon know the answer, as the Airbus A380 is scheduled to make its first-ever flight to North America Monday, where it will undergo cold-weather tests in the Canadian province of Nunavut.

The world's biggest passenger plane faces operational tests in temperatures of 40-below-zero-Celcius. About 50 Airbus engineers will travel to the provincial capital of Iqaluit aboard the  along with the A380 to conduct and monitor the tests.

"We're pretty honored to be hosting the first arrival of the newest plane of the 21st century here at Iqaluit," said airport manager John Graham to the Associated Press.

The Iqaluit airport has become a favorite for cold-weather testing, with its VERY cold temperatures -- at this writing, it's a comparatively balmy -18 degrees Celcius, or about zero Fahrenheit -- and 8,900-foot runway.

Temperatures are expected to fall to -25 degrees Celcius by Monday morning -- perfect for testing how the aircraft's engines and fuselage hold up to VERY cold temperatures.

Next up after Nunavut for the A380 will be hot weather testing this summer, down in South America.

FMI: www.airbus.com