Thu, Dec 24, 2009
Cleared Entire Normal Flight Envelope
Airbus Military has completed a successful second flight of the
new A400M airlifter in a mission which exceeded the expectations of
the flight-test team.
File Photo
The three-hour and ten minute flight of the aircraft, known as
MSN1, was conducted yesterday from Seville, Spain by experimental
test pilot Nacho Lombo supported by chief test pilot military Ed
Strongman, along with a team of four flight test engineers, Didier
Ronceray, Eric Isorce, Jean-Philippe Cottet and Gérard
Leskerpit.
The A400M was able to clear the entire normal flight envelope,
including the maximum operating speed (VMO) of 300kt and maximum
Mach number (MMO) of M0.72. During this flight, which extended to
northern Spain, the aircraft operated at an altitude of 30,000ft
which allowed the testing the aircraft’s systems in cruise
conditions.
File Photo
Airbus head of flight operations, Fernando Alonso, said.
“The fact that we achieved so much on the second flight is a
great testament to the quality of the aircraft and very promising
for the future of the program. In earlier aircraft programs it has
taken several flights to achieve the same targets that we have
already now done on the A400M.” The second flight had been
delayed by a couple of days because of poor weather in Seville.
The next flight is planned after the Christmas break. This first
aircraft is expected to fly for some 1,200 hours during the 3,700
hour test program involving five aircraft which will lead to first
delivery of the type in late 2012.
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