Giant Airbus A380 Starts on Michelin Tyres

When the first Airbus A380 rolls out of the production hangar tomorrow, the giant plane will be fitted with Michelin tyres. Each of the innovative tyres is designed to operate at a lift-off speed of 378 km/h carrying 33 tonnes. The new tyre’s special lightweight construction reduces the A380’s total weight by 360 kilograms, compared with conventional tyres.

Michelin and Airbus have been cooperating for nearly nine years. During this association the tyre manufacturer has achieved outstanding power ratings from the tyre it has produced for Airbus due to its so-called NZG or (“Near Zero Growth”) technology. The tyres use of highly resistant materials reduces the number of plies necessary and therefore the product’s total weight. In addition to this, the tyre does not expand at maximum pressure and keeps an almost even bearing surface. This “Near Zero Growth“ effect means substantially less frictional heat is generated during taxiing.