Airbus has completed a series of high-altitude landing and engine-out take-off demonstrations at China's Lhasa Airport with an A340.
The trials at the 11,700ft (3,600m) Tibetan airport included a take-off with a simulated No 1 engine failure at V1 and climb-out of the Lhasa valley to an altitude of 23,600ft with a second engine at idle. Several two- and three-engine return landings were also made, using instrument landing and global-positioning systems for reduced minimum approaches. In addition, a three-engine take-off and ferry flight was demonstrated.
The A340 reached Vr at 3,200m on the runway, with a payload of 165t, including sufficient fuel for a 1.45h ferry flight to Chengdu and sufficient reserves for a diversion to Kunming.
Source: Flight International
