The new Airbus A380, the largest commercial airliner ever built, is expected to make its long-awaited first test flight on Wednesday from its production facility, the company said. 

The A380, a twin-deck behemoth capable of carrying up to 800 people, is due to be flown by two veteran French test pilots, Claude Lelaie and Jacques Rosay, backed up by a team of four navigators.

On the ground some 30 engineers will monitor the flight, which could last from one to five hours depending on the weather and on assessments by the on-board crew.

More than 60,000 people, including 12,000 Airbus employees, are expected to witness the A380's maiden voyage, which will take it out over the Atlantic Ocean and back to its 3,500-meter (yards) runway, according to Airbus program director Charles Champion.

But the company stressed that barring last-minute technical problems, the flight will only take place if visibility is perfect and if the wind is not violent.

Airbus officials have also sought to minimize ceremonial aspects of the event. Company chairman and chief executive Noel Forgeard recently told journalists that it will be "a technical rather than a media event."

Nonetheless 500 places have been set aside for journalists from around the world to witness the take-off and landing.

The new aircraft, which makes extensive use of electronic flight systems and composite materials, is set to be the first serious challenger to the 747 jumbo jet produced by Boeing of the United States.

The European consortium's first fully operational A380 has been undergoing ground tests since early April. 

(CRI.com April 26, 2005)