MICHAEL PHELAN / TOULOUSE
Airbus is finalising the design of its next A340 development, the high gross weight (HGW) A340-600, which will become the standard version of the long-range airliner after it enters service in mid-2006.
Launched at the Paris air show in June, the aircraft features an 8,000kg (17,620lb) increase in maximum take-off weight over the current model, to 376,000kg. The aircraft features airframe, landing gear and engine pylon reinforcements. Maximum landing and zero fuel weights have increased by 1,000kg each to 260,000kg and 246,000kg respectively. Although the 56,000lb thrust (249kN) Rolls-Royce Trent 556 will be the standard engine, a 60,000lb thrust rating will be available as an option.
Airbus marketing director A330/A340 Alan Pardoe says the aircraft will offer 650km (350nm) more range with maximum passengers, or 5,500kg more payload on an 11,100km sector.
Assembly of the first HGW aircraft will start in June 2005, with first flight planned for November that year and deliveries to Qatar Airways to begin in mid-2006. "We expect it will become the standard A340-600 with time," says Pardoe.
Meanwhile, the 15 A340-600s in service achieved an operational reliability of 98% during the month of August, says Pardoe. We're confident of [achieving] 99% reliability on the fleet," he adds.
Pardoe says that US Federal Aviation Administration certification of the Kevlar liner modification on the -500 is due by early 2004 (Flight International 12-18 August).
Source: Flight International
