Will the ADF purchase the A400M to replace the C130H?
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Critical engine?
Apologies if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, but with the DBE setup on the A400M, which is the critical engine(s)? Or will the practice assymetric approaches suddenly take a new dimension? Rather than getting a really muscled left leg, you'll get not-quite-so muscled left & right legs?!
Join Date: Sep 2007
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I think stick to a proven aircraft ... the C130
I can imagine the scenario if they did buy the A400M , total avionics redesign or something silly like trying to re-engine it ! 20 yrs after buying it the aircraft will finally work then be retired.
I can imagine the scenario if they did buy the A400M , total avionics redesign or something silly like trying to re-engine it ! 20 yrs after buying it the aircraft will finally work then be retired.
Thread Starter
First A400M Completes Second Flight
'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 programme'
(December 23, 2009) -- Airbus Military has completed a highly successful second flight of the new A400M airlifter in an operation which exceeded the expectations of the flight-test team.
The three-hour and ten minute flight of the first aircraft, known as MSN1, from Seville, Spain was conducted yesterday 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 Gerard Leskerpit.
During this second flight, the A400M was already able to clear the entire normal flight envelope, including the maximum operating speed (VMO) of 300kt (555km/hr) 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.
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 programme. In earlier aircraft programmes 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 3,700hr test programme involving five aircraft which will lead to first delivery of the type in late 2012.
Source : European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (Paris: EAD.PA)
