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Read the original first flight press release:
ULTRA-LONG RANGE A340-500 COMPLETES FIRST FLIGHT SUCCESSFULLY
11 February 2002The ultra-long range A340-500, Airbus' longest range airliner to date, made its first flight today, completing a successful mission which lasted 5 hours and 52 minutes. The first A340-500 took off from the Blagnac international airport in Toulouse, France at 10.25 hours local time (09.25 GMT), and returned at 16.17 hours local time (15.17 GMT).
The maiden flight was captained by Airbus Chief Test Pilot Jacques Rosay and co-piloted by Experimental Test Pilot Richard Monnoyer. The crew was comprised of flight test engineers Didier Ronceray and Sylvie Loisel-Labaste - the first woman crew member for a maiden flight at Airbus - and test flight engineer Bruno Bigand. The A340-500 is powered by four Trent 500 engines from Rolls Royce.
Commenting on the flight, Jacques Rosay confirmed that the new aircraft and engines had handled as anticipated. "The A340-500 is 6.5 metres shorter than its high capacity sister, the new A340-600, that flew for the first time last April. But thanks to cockpit commonality and fly-by-wire controls, their flight handling characteristics are practically identical and indeed, like any other A330/A340 Family aircraft," he said. "We are very proud to have completed our market-leading A330/A340 Family - and extended its versatility still further with our longest range aircraft to date."
The crew explored the aircraft's flight envelope from minimum speeds close to stall through to its maximum operating speed of Mach 0.86. They tested the aircraft's handling using both direct and normal flight control laws with the landing gear up and down, and with all various flaps and slats settings. Noise, vibrations, main systems review (including the new rear centre tank) and cruise performance were also covered.
The A340-500 took off at a weight of 280 tonnes (617,290 lbs), including around 30.5 tonnes (67,240 lbs) of flight test instrumentation to record the thousands of parameters necessary for a thorough analysis of the aircraft's in-flight performance. This maiden voyage marks the beginning of a comprehensive flight test campaign involving two A340-500s in 340 flight hours, which will culminate in certification and entry into airline service in the fourth quarter of 2002.
Airbus was first to respond to airline interest in ultra-long range flights, thus permitting such distant city pairs as Los Angeles to Singapore to enjoy non-stop service for the first time. With the A340-500 entering airline service this year, passengers will have experienced the refinement and low noise levels of this new ultra-long range aircraft for more than three years before any competitive offering is available.
The ultra-long range A340-500 was launched in December 1997 alongside its sister aircraft, the high capacity A340-600. Designed in close collaboration with airlines these two airliners further extend the attraction of the market-leading A330/A340 Family, taking advantage of the latest proven technologies to deliver the ultimate in long range air travel. The A340-500/-600 remain clear leaders in their category, with 56 per cent of the market at the end of 2001. Both new versions are powered by Trent 500 engines from Rolls-Royce.
A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.
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Last updated 11 February 2001
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