A380 PERFORMS VMU TESTS

An A380 equipped with a special tail bumper has performed a series of low speed take-
off tests to determine the optimal slat and flap settings for commercial service.

The A380 has completed preliminary low-speed take-off tests, known as VMU (Vitesse Minimum
Unstick) tests, at Istres Air Base in Southern France.

VMU testing demonstrates the minimum speeds at which an aircraft can take off with its rear
fuselage touching the runway. Several sets of VMU tests are carried out because the aircraft is
tested with the different slat and flat configurations that will be used in-service.

July 13, 2005