In pictures: A380 flight trials

The world's largest passenger aircraft is ready to start flight trials.

Five aircraft will fly about 2,850 hours during the trials, which will last until spring 2006.

In addition, two aircraft which will never fly are subjected to fatigue and static structural testing, which involves their 80-metre (262 feet) wingspan being bent and the body subjected to repeated exposure to the elements, simulating thousands of flights.