Largest Gear Ever Supplied By Messier-Dowty

On Monday, Messier-Dowty announced the delivery of the first test A380 nose landing gear to Airbus UK. Standing at 4.8 meters tall when fully extended, the A380 nose landing gear is the largest landing gear ever supplied by Messier-Dowty to Airbus. The gear will be fitted to the Airbus system test rig located in Filton, England to allow Airbus UK to perform the aircraft systems testing validation.

"This hand over of the first A380 nose landing gear marks the latest milestone in Messier-Dowty’s long and successful history with Airbus," said Louis Le Portz, chairman and CEO.  "As landing gear supplier for all existing Airbus in service aircraft, Messier-Dowty is proud of its contribution to the world’s largest airliner."

Messier-Dowty was selected in 2001 to design, manufacture, test and support the nose landing gear for the Airbus A380. The nose gear development benefits from Messier-Dowty's extensive experience on previous Airbus aircraft, including the A340-600, and will ensure a future growth capability of the aircraft up to 620 tons.

This nose landing gear introduces new innovations in terms of landing gear development, namely the introduction of 350-bar hydraulic pressure never before used on large commercial aircraft, as well as the use of an HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel) surface treatment process instead of chromium plating.  Main components of the A380 nose landing gear, such as the main fitting and sliding tube, will be produced in Montreal, Canada and in Bidos, France, respectively. Bidos will also serve as the center for final assembly. Main testing for the nose landing gear will take place in Gloucester, UK and at the CEAT center in Toulouse, France. Eight A380 nose landing gear shipsets will be manufactured in 2004.

The maiden flight for the A380 is scheduled for early 2005 with entry in service scheduled for 2006. The Airbus order book for the A380 now stands at 129 aircraft.

Messier-Dowty, a Snecma Group company, designs, develops, manufactures and supports landing gear systems. 

FMI: www.messier-dowty.com