A400M closer to first flight, but loses client | Aviation International News

A400M closer to first flight, but loses client

There was good news and bad news for Europe’s troubled airlifter last week.

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

November 15, 2009

There was good news and bad news for Europe’s troubled airlifter last week. Airbus Military said the first A400M is now in the hands of the flight-test team and on course for a first flight by the end of the year. And the program gained a strong endorsement from the UK Royal Air Force commander. But South Africa canceled its order for eight aircraft and claimed a refund of $391 million already handed over.

Static tests and engine runups of the first A400M will now be undertaken at Seville, followed by taxi tests, which will culminate in a rejected takeoff at about 120 knots. The telemetry system to relay flight-test data from the aircraft will also be checked on the ground. Scheduled to be at the controls for the taxi tests and the first flight is Ed Strongman, head of A400M flight test; Ignatio Lombow is to be the copilot.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Become a Member

Already a member? Sign In

The 25th Anniversary of 9/11: How it Changed Airbus and Boeing

The fall-out from the terror attacks was to have short- and long-term consequences

Boeing Sonic Cruiser

Will Embraer Go Big by Developing a Large Narrowbody Jet?

Industry experts privately debate whether the Brazilian airframer can take the risk

Embraer E195-E2 aircraft

Baggage Floor Removal Vexing for Lear Jet Restoration

The group looks to return Lear 23-003 to flight

the baggage floor in Lear 23-003

Joby eVTOL Begins Week of Flights across North Texas

Project Nexus makes first flights under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program

Joby’s eVTOL air taxi prototype sits on the ramp at Perot Field

Bombardier Global 8000 Earns UK London City Approval

Approval eases access to central London

Bombardier Global 8000

Netherlands Opts for Its Inaugural AEW&C Aircraft

Bilateral capability with Sweden marks nation’s first AEW&C acquisition

GlobalEye

FAA Grants Special Airworthiness Certificate for eFlyer

Bye Aerospace’s prototype is ready for flight testing

Rod Zastrow, Bye Aerospace CEO

Trump’s Call for Bombardier Ban Draws Opposition

IAM expressed strong opposition to a ban on the sale of Bombardier products

Elevate Jet Challenger business jet