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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 3060.PDF
orld Airliners The A340 family includes the baseline CFM56-powered -300 (above) and the Trent-powered -500/600 A340 The four-engined A340 was launched in parallel with the A330 in June 1987. Two CFM56-5C- powered versions were offered - the 263-seat -200 (three-class) and 295-seat -300. These have been joined by the larger, longer range -500/600 family featuring a bigger wing and more powerful R-R Trent 500 engines. The first A340 flew in October 1991, and the A340-300 and -200 entered commercial service in March 1993 with Air France and Lufthansa, respec tively. A higher-gross-weight -300 version developed for Singapore Airlines entered service in April 1996. A very-long-range derivative of the smaller -200, dubbed the A340-8000 (the name is derived from 8,000nm range) was also developed though only one has been built for a VIP operator. Airbus launched the A340-500/600 models in December 1997. The family includes the 380-seat -600, and an ultra-long-range 313-seat -500. The family's 20% larger wing incorporates a 1.6m wing- box insert to increase area and fuel capacity, along with 1,6m wing-tip extensions. Because of the increased take-off weights, a four-wheel centre main undercarriage assembly replaces the existing two-wheel unit. The 14-month flight-test programme for the A340-600 began on 23 April when the prototype made a successful 5h 22min first flight from Toulouse. The second test aircraft flew in June, and a third is set to join the programme, which will involve 1,600 flight hours of testing. Certification and entry into service is due with Virgin Atlantic in the middle of next year. The first smaller, ultra-long- range A340-500 model is due to fly in November, and is set to enter service 12 months later. Airbus had hoped to eliminate the Type III over- wing escape hatches on the A340-600, required under JAA and FAA rules, which specify a maxi mum distance of "60ft" between adjacent passenger exits. The first A340-600 prototype was built without the hatches but production aircraft incorporate them. Airbus is introducing an upgraded FBW control system on these latest A340 derivatives as part of a wider range of improvements which will eventually be extended to the consortium's other FBW produc tion models. These improvements will be used on the A340-300 "enhanced", which is expected to be cer tificated in the second quarter of 2003. The 295-seaterwill also feature upgraded CFM56-5C engines to boost the type's competitiveness against the Boeing 777-200. The first of four test engines in the CFM56-5C/P upgrade for the A340 Enhanced is scheduled to run in November, with engine certifica tion expected to coincide with first flight of the improved A340 variant in October 2002. Aircraft cer tification is due around April 2003. The engine improvement package will also be available as an upgrade kit from the fourth quarter of 2003, and is expected to improve the -5C4 in flight shut-down average, reduce fuel consumption and maintenance costs. Thales is contracted as sole supplier of flat-panel LCDs for the A340-500/600, and will supply LCDs for the retrofit of in-service A330s and A340s. It emerged earlier this year that a cargo version of the A340-600 was studied for a potential United Parcel Service (UPS) requirement. UPS's recent deal for 60 more A300-600Fs and 50 options includes the right to convert to the proposed A340- 600F should it so wish. Production See A330 Ordered: 309 Delivered: 200 A380 Development of the A380 began in April 1996 under the "A3XX" designation, with the creation of Airbus's Large Aircraft division. Before this, Airbus and its US AIRBUS A340 wmnmrn. Length (m) Wingspan (m) Height (m) Wing area (V) Cabin width (m) Max take-off weight (kg) MTOW option Max landing weight (kg) Operating empty weight (kg) Max zero fuel weig Max payload (kg) ht(kg) Powerplant 4 x -200 59.4 60.3 16.83 361.63 5.28 275,000 - 185,000 129,000 173,000 43,500 34,000lb CFMI CFM56-5C4 Standard fuel capacity (I) Normal operating speed (Mach) Max cruise speed (kt) Max cruising altitude (ft) 155,040 0.82 493 41,100 Take-off field length (m, Sea level/ISA) 2,990 Landing field length (m, Sea level/ISA) 1,890 Accommodation (1-class) Accommodation (2-class) Accommodation (3-class) 420 300 239-263 Design range/typical load 14,800km/239 pax Option - -300 63.7 60.3 16.83 361.63 5.28 271,000 275,000 192,000 130,080 181,000 50,920 4 x 34,000lb CFMI CFM56-5C4 141,500 0.82 493 41,100 3,000 1,926 440 335 295 13,100km/295 pax 13,500km/295 pax -500 67.9 63.45 17.1 437.3 5.28 365,000 368,000 236,000 170,800 222,000 51,200 4 x 53,000lb R-R Trent 553 214,800 0.83 492 41,100 3,050 2,010 440 - 313 15,750km/313 pax - -600 75.3 63.45 17.29 437.3 5.28 365,000 369,000 254,000 177,700 240,000 62,300 4 x 56,000lb R-R Trent 556 194,880 0.83 492 41,100 3,100 2,100 440 - 380 13,900km/380 pax - 56 4-11 SEPTEMBER 2001 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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