A400M completes F&R flight-test phase
The F&R testing was completed in just 32 days, during which the aircraft made 52 flights and visited 10 different airfields. Data from the F&R programme, which was performed entirely using the first production-representative aircraft – MSN6 / Grizzly 5 – is now being examined by the civil and military certification authorities for the A400M – respectively EASA and a committee appointed by OCCAR.
Having received the restricted Type Certification begin May this year, this phase of the flight test programme was the last major requirement prior to full Type Certification. It is expected that the aircraft will receive the full civil Type Certificate and military Initial Operating Capability in the first quarter of 2013 subject to the approval of the relevant authorities.
Airbus Military A400M completes critical flight-test phase - Airbus Military