Max Kingsley Jones/LONDON
Airbus began a 14 month flight test programme of the A340-600 on 23 April, with the first flight of the new 380-seater.
The Rolls-Royce Trent 500-powered stretch A340 model prototype made a successful 5h 22min first flight from the Airbus France plant in Toulouse. Capt Claude Lelaie, vice president of Airbus' Flight Division, and test pilot Ed Strongman were at the controls.
The A340-600 is the largest Airbus aircraft produced to date, and has a maximum take-off weight of 365t (804,000lb). For the first flight, the aircraft took off at a gross weight of over 300t to provide a realistic appraisal of the new model's in-flight behaviour.
During the flight, the aircraft's handling was explored using direct and normal flight control laws as well as various operational criteria such as buffet and stall margins, and manoeuvring capability. The crew undertook handling checks with the undercarriage up and down, and with various slat and flap settings.
"We flew throughout the flight envelope from minimum to maximum operating speeds. Despite its impressive size, the A340-600 handled just like any other A330/ A340 family aircraft," said Lelaie.
Three A340-600s will be involved in the 1,600 flight hour test programme. Certification and entry into service is due with Virgin Atlantic in the middle of next year. The first smaller, ultra long range A340-500 model is due to fly in November, and is set enter service 12 months later.
Source: Flight International
