Toulouse, 15 January 2002
The 100-seat A318, the latest member of Airbus’ best-selling A320 Family, flew for the first time today, completing a successful mission which lasted 3 hours and 44 minutes. The first A318 took off from the Finkenwerder airfield at Airbus’ Hamburg plant in Germany at 10:11 hours local time (09:11 GMT), and returned at 13:55 hours local time (12:55 GMT).
The flight was captained by Bernd Schaefer, Chief Pilot, Hamburg, with Jacques Rosay, Airbus Chief Test Pilot, as first officer, Manfred Birnfeld and Hermann Schmoeckel as flight test engineers and Bernard Kamps as test flight engineer.
Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard congratulated the crew on their successful mission, as well as all those who worked on the development of the new aircraft. “The A318 is the ideal aircraft for the 100-seater market segment both for existing Airbus customers and for airlines wishing to join the ranks of some 200 carriers who have chosen to operate our aircraft for their advanced technology and unmatched comfort standards,” said Noël Forgeard.
Berndt Schaefer confirmed that the new aircraft had handled as anticipated. “We took the aircraft from minimum to maximum operating speeds and thanks to cockpit commonality and fly-by-wire controls the A318 handles just like any other A320 Family aircraft,” he said. “We are very proud to have inaugurated our new “wide baby” that will bring all the commonality and comfort benefits of Airbus single-aisles to the 100-seater market,” he added.
The A318 took off at a weight of 57.5 tonnes (126,800 lbs). Around 7 tonnes (15,400 lbs) of flight test instrumentation, including 94 km/58 miles of electrical wiring, are used to record the thousands of parameters necessary for a full and thorough analysis of the aircraft’s in-flight performance. The crew tested the aircraft’s handling using both direct and normal flight control laws between minimum speeds close to stall and high speeds up to the maximum operating speed of Mach 0.82. Evaluation criteria included buffet and control characteristics close to stall, as well as noise, vibrations and handling characteristics at high speed. Handling checks with the undercarriage up and down, and with various slat and flap settings, were also covered.
This maiden voyage marks the beginning of the A318’s flight test campaign. Two engines are offered for the A318, Pratt and Whitney´s PW6000, developed specifically for the new aircraft, and CFM International’s CFM56-5. Today´s first flight is powered by the PW6000. The A318 will be certified first with CFM56-5 engines. Entry into airline service is scheduled for the third quarter of 2003.
The A318 was launched in April 1999 to extend the benefits of Airbus commonality and comfort standards to the 100-seater market. Designed to serve high-frequency low-density routes, the A318 further strengthens the A320 Family’s position as the most versatile, economical and best-selling single-aisle aircraft available today. 114 A318s are currently on order from 9 customers.
Airbus is a leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft seating more than 100 passengers. Offering the most modern and extensive airliner family in the world, Airbus consistently captures about half of this market. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.
Internet: http://www.airbus.com
