FARNBOROUGH: Airbus Military pulls A400M out of flying display
By: Dominic Perry London
11:21 5 Jul 2012
Source:
FARNBOROUGH: Airbus Military pulls A400M out of flying display
Engine issues have again curtailed the participation of the Airbus Military A400M in the flying display of a major air show after the manufacturer announced the type would only be shown on the static park at the Farnborough air show, which starts on 9 July.
"The decision to have the aircraft on static display only is based on engine issues that happened last week which need further investigation," says Airbus Military.
Instead, it will show the first production representative example, MSN6.
a400m airbus military
Airbus Military
The A400M will not be taking off at this years Farnborough
Last year the airframer was forced to pull out of the flying display at the Paris air show after a flight-test problem in one of its Europrop International TP400-D6 turboprop engines halted all non-essential flights.
Flight testing continues at an "aggressive pace", it adds. "It is beginning to show the level of technical maturity required at first delivery, and we are pleased with the overall performance of the aircraft.
"Despite some engine maturity challenges, we are confident that we will find the right solutions and provide our customers with an aircraft that fully meets or exceeds the expectations."
At the end of June, the A400M had completed 1,180 flights, accumulating 3,535h since its first flight in December 2009.