One might expect the outfitting of the world's largest VVIP
aircraft, the A380, to take some time. After all, designing the interiors for
two decks is like taking on an executive A340 and ACJ at the same time.
So it has taken from last May's EBACE show in Geneva and
NBAA in Orlando for Lufthansa Technik to design the luxurious main deck of the
biggest prize in VIP completions, the A380. Its concept of how the complete
aircraft could look was unveiled here at NBAA yesterday following release of
the upper deck renderings earlier this year.
"Lufthansa Technik is at the forefront to design the A380
VVIP interior as well as its certification and production," said Bernhard
Conrad, svp for the completion center and head of the company's approved design
organization.
"For the first time an airplane will allow designers and a
completion center to take advantage of two complete decks for an outfitting
project and to separate the VVIP area from the government or representative
areas."
The latest concept uses the main deck for "general" VIP purposes
and includes a forward lounge, various meeting rooms, main galley, a spacious
royal lounge, and dedicated dining and conference area. The rear section of the
A380's main deck features a first class and a business class that would be used
by the entourage.
The upper deck is reserved for the principal and
accompanying guests and includes a private lounge with numerous divans as well
as a modern galley with a buffet. The mid-section houses two guest rooms, each
having separate bathrooms with showers.
The VVIP area itself will consist of a private office, a
private bedroom with dressing area, a private bathroom and a wellness area with
a steam bath and exercising machines.
Conrad pointed out the designs represent a range of concepts
and possibilities and are not an actual proposal.
Lufthansa Technik is already preparing for the first A380,
even though no contract has been signed— and indeed it is not clear if an
aircraft will be available for several years, as airlines have booked all the
production slots so far.
Nevertheless, its completion center in Hamburg, Germany,
will be ready, and when the first VVIP A380 arrives, Lufthansa Technik will
already have had extensive experience helping with parent Lufthansa's fleet of
the giant aircraft. The company believes it will be the most qualified in the
world to complete a VVIP A380, and the best equipped to maintain it in service.
Since 2001, some dozen Lufthansa Technik engineers have been
part of the customer focus groups involved in the specification and development
of the A380. Drawing on their experience with flight operations and aircraft
maintenance, they have been helping to optimize the manufacturer's design. An
important aspect of this is the reliability of the individual systems.
From 2007 onward, Lufthansa Technik will operate a special
hangar in Frankfurt with up to four bays in which line maintenance can be done.
In 2003 Lufthansa Technik founded N3 Engine Overhaul Services— a joint venture
with Rolls-Royce that specializes in the servicing of Rolls-Royce engines,
specifically of the types Trent 500, Trent 700 and Trent 900, the latter
powering the A380.
Just months ago Lufthansa Technik and Air France Industries,
Europe's two major MRO providers, founded Spairliners for the supply of a
complete line of components for the A380.
In addition to component overhaul and management of a
component pool, the plan is to offer comprehensive servicing at the airlines'
A380 hubs as well as at all destinations to which the A380s and A380 VVIP fly.
In close collaboration with Air France, FedEx and the staff
of the Airbus Training Department, Lufthansa Technical Training is currently
working on an A380 training platform that will define what the training of
technicians will consist of. Following a precise analysis of training needs in
close consultation with Lufthansa Technik, thought is now being given to what
use can be made of the latest technical-training media and methods.
The results of these far-reaching initiatives and
cooperations will benefit A380 VVIP customers, Conrad said.
