V-Flyer

Airbus has completed its first evacuation test of the A380. 873 people out in 80 seconds, 10 seconds faster than predicted.

And one over 50 year old had a broken leg [:0]

That's put my mind at ease a bit then (not that I am a 50 year old with a broken leg ) - I was concerned about how long it would take to empty one of those bad boys.

Thanks for the info [y]

873[:?]Could this 'limit' of c.550 people be slipping in the face of commercial pressure?

Originally posted by sailor99
873[:?]Could this 'limit' of c.550 people be slipping in the face of commercial pressure?

Isn't the 550 "limit", a sort of agreement by those airlines taking the 380 so that their customers know they're not going to pack everyone in like cattle? I think the 873 could be the official maximum capacity as stated by Airbus, and that's what they'd have to be certified to carry?

Cheers

Michael

How do they go about getting 873 people to volunteer!?

Originally posted by flyingtomyego
How do they go about getting 873 people to volunteer!?

Don't they invite friends and family of co-workers?

Also I guess the 873 is the maximum number of crew and economy seats they could fit in. So if the entire plane was squished in with Y seats with tiny pitch you could get in 873 sardines passengers.

Mat xxx

Originally posted by flyingtomyego
How do they go about getting 873 people to volunteer!?

There were 853 passengers plus 2 pilot's and 18 cabin crew from Lufthansa

Volunteers, who were paid 60 euros plus a free meal each, were chosen from among Airbus staff in Germany as well as recruiting people from sports clubs and dancing clubs.

The BBC report that the first planes will have about 650 seats in them, so a successful test in that respect.

As I understand it, the initial view was that it would not be possible to get regulatorary clearance for 850 pax with regards to evac times. The spin started off as 550 pax, with saunas, gyms, restaurants and widescreen cinemas on board. Now the BBC reports 650 seats and we hear about successful evac of large loads. Maybe I am just a cynic, but I wonder why one would build a plane so big, not to fill it with paying cargo, preferably self loading. I wonder how long it will be before 750 seats is reported.

Originally posted by pegitt
...as well as recruiting people from sports clubs and dancing clubs.

Sounds like a very representative set of evacuees [:?].

Phil

According to Metro this morning one person broke their leg during the test and a handful received minor injuries. Apparently this is expected and all volunteers are informed of the risk before agreeing to take part.

Evacuating that many people that quickly with so few injuries is quite impressive. And if you were on the plane in an emergency situation a minor injury or even a broken leg is much prefferable to the other options.

Mat xxx

{Edit: Just to add somehow missed honeylamb's post about the broken leg}

I must say 80 seconds is quite impressive given the following situation:
853 passengers and 20 crew taking part
Lights were out in cabin
Debris was strewn across cabin
Half of exits were closed
Passengers were not told which exits were in use
Passengers had to wear their seat belts
Evacuation took 80 seconds
Drill had to feature at least 40% women, 35% people over 50

However I don't believe there's any mock situation which could mimick a real-life emergency and the real psychological effects on a passenger and how their behaviour alters as a result.

Was talking to my brother about this today. He sent me this link about various simulated evacuations from planes. Including a bribe for the first ones to get off the plane to simulate panic, the International Journal of Aviation Psychology didn't think this was an accurate representation of what happens.

Mat xxx

Originally posted by fozzyo
Was talking to my brother about this today. He sent me this link about various simulated evacuations from planes. Including a bribe for the first ones to get off the plane to simulate panic, the International Journal of Aviation Psychology didn't think this was an accurate representation of what happens.

Mat xxx

Really though, I think this is the best they can do short of crashing the plane on purpose and performing a drill. It's much better than making stupid computer simulations.

I've seen the videos of other aircraft evacs and they are MANIC!!

Some people miss the slide and just end up falling to the floor or some bounce off the slide they're trying to get out so quick. Probably how a leg was broken!!

Still fun to watch though!

Originally posted by Lipstick
Some people miss the slide and just end up falling to the floor or some bounce off the slide they're trying to get out so quick. Probably how a leg was broken!!

I know I should laugh but couldn't help it. Does that make me a bad person? Mind you the clip of the woman falling down the hole behind the bar makes me laugh so I guess I am.

Mat xxx
[B)]

Here is an Airbus article with some Pic's of the aircraft with the slides deployed.

I find this all really interesting.... have they done tests on boarding one yet? after all by the time one of these big girls are boarded another smaller aircraft will be 2 hours into flight?

Yes You can tell Im not in favour of them.... If its not a Boeing I wont want to be going the B747/ A346 is my limit.

Interesting picture of the the slides. I was wondering how they would do the upper deck. Any pics of the internal layout with nearly 900 seats on?

I was talking with a friend who witnessed some evac tests at Cranfield. They employed students, and as Fozzyo has already said, they bribed the first off with extra money, and I'm sure as far as students are concerned, they thought of extra beer money should induce sufficient panic! [:o)]