The maiden voyage of the A380 'monster jet' delighted investors and onlookers with its impressive size and quietness, but there may be more sinister problems lurking undetected.
As with all planes, the A380 generates turbulence in the air as it passes, the difference with the super jet is its extra 150 tonnes of weight. There is concern that the wake generated by the massive turbines could contain enough energy to rip roof tiles from houses and throw following planes off course, albeit very quietly.
Although Airbus insists its revolutionary design minimises wake vortex, further tests need to be conducted before the jets are entered into service.
