Airbus Military Poised For First Flight This Week

[straitman]

Airbus Military Poised For First Flight This Week

Robert Wall/Seville, Spain

Airbus Military this week hopes to finally fly the A400M military airlifter, kicking off a three-year effort to get the transport into the first customer’s hands.


Barring poor weather or technical issues, Airbus Military officials late this week expect to complete a roughly 3-hr. flight from the company’s facility here to demonstrate the aircraft’s basic handling characteristics.


The event has been a long time coming, owing, in part, to development delays with the engine and subsystems that have set the program back several years. The event marks the official beginning of a flight-test program that calls for 4,370 hr., says Eric Isorce, chief flight test engineer. About 60% of the effort will focus on military certification, the balance will be dedicated to gaining European Aviation Safety Agency approval.

 

[samh004]

Over budget, over weight, under payload capacity, overheating problems, losing orders. It’s first flight better be a good one or Airbus is going to be in real trouble, as if they aren’t already!

 

[Mal]

What is it about Airbus and pitot tubes?

As expected, in ground reverse the pitot static tubes are exposed to airflow that is leading to anomalous air speed indications, which is causing the information to be rejected by the flight-control computer. Airbus officials anticipated the anomaly and are assessing where to apply the needed software filter.

 

[UP4014]

What is it about Airbus and pitot tubes?

Indeed, doesn't instill confidence.

 

[NM]

Indeed, doesn't instill confidence.

Then again, I would hope that reverse airflow over the pitot tubes is not a regular occurrence during flight :shock:

 

[samh004]

I’m sure there’s a very simple answer to this, but to my simple mind, why can’t ground speed be measured by the wheels (like in a car) when on the ground, bypassing the pilot tubes altogether, until you’re accelerating down a runway or actually flying through the air?

 

[UP4014]

I’m sure there’s a very simple answer to this, but to my simple mind, why can’t ground speed be measured by the wheels (like in a car) when on the ground, bypassing the pilot tubes altogether, until you’re accelerating down a runway or actually flying through the air?

Modern railway equipment uses ground sensing radar - to account for wheel slip.

 

[Flying Fox]

Could GPS not be used to calc speed?

 

[NM]

I’m sure there’s a very simple answer to this, but to my simple mind, why can’t ground speed be measured by the wheels (like in a car) when on the ground, bypassing the pilot tubes altogether, until you’re accelerating down a runway or actually flying through the air?

Ground speed is only of interest when taxiing. When rolling down the runway under take-off power, its airspeed that is important. V1, Vr etc are based on airspeed, not ground speed. So if you have a 20kt headwind, there will be a 20kt difference between air speed and ground speed.

But going back to my previous comment, measuring air speed when the aircraft is moving backwards is not overly useful.

 

[mannej]

Could GPS not be used to calc speed?

No. Not when airspeed is involved.

 

[straitman]

No. Not when airspeed is involved.

We are wandering a bit, as usual, but GPS can in be used to to measure airspeed so long as the correct wind speed data has been input.

It is normally done the other way around though with all the various inputs being made to give you the wind speed and the ground speed.

 

[serfty]

Given that ground speed and airspeed can vary by more than 200kt and it's the Aircraft's 'speed' in relation to the air that gives lift, Airspeed is rather more important as far as actual flying goes.

Of course, this does not apply to Helicopter type aircraft.

 

[serfty]

We are wandering a bit, as usual, but GPS can in be used to to measure airspeed so long as the correct wind speed data has been input. ...

Posted like a true specialist Helicopter pilot.

 

[straitman]

Given that ground speed and airspeed can vary by more than 200kt and it's the Aircraft's 'speed' in relation to the air that gives lift, Airspeed is rather more important as far as actual flying goes.

Of course, this does not apply to Helicopter type aircraft.

At altitude and by that I mean Flight Levels airspeed has very limited use as the cruise is done on Mach Number.


..... and I have had in excess of a 70kt differential between airspeed and ground speed in a Helicopter.

 

[codash1099]

First flight has been completed'

See: UPDATED - PICTURES & VIDEO: Airbus celebrates as A400M gets airborne

 

[straitman]

More pictures from another link.

 

[straitman]

Airbus Concerned About A400M Talks

Airbus Concerned About A400M Talks


Jan 5, 2010


By Robert Wall [email protected]
PARIS

There is growing concern at Airbus that talks between A400M buyers to renegotiate the firm-fixed price development and production contract may not come to a successful conclusion.

Since March of last year, governments have been in discussions over whether and how to modify the A400M contract terms. Under the existing arrangement, the deal is heavily loss-making to the Airbus Military consortium after program delays have mounted and put the program about three years behind schedule. Officials for EADS, the largest industrial partner in the consortium, have said that under current contract terms they could not continue to execute the program.

 

[Dee Thom]

Re: Airbus Concerned About A400M Talks

Airbus Concerned About A400M Talks


Jan 5, 2010


By Robert Wall [email protected]
PARIS

There is growing concern at Airbus that talks between A400M buyers to renegotiate the firm-fixed price development and production contract may not come to a successful conclusion.

Since March of last year, governments have been in discussions over whether and how to modify the A400M contract terms. Under the existing arrangement, the deal is heavily loss-making to the Airbus Military consortium after program delays have mounted and put the program about three years behind schedule. Officials for EADS, the largest industrial partner in the consortium, have said that under current contract terms they could not continue to execute the program.

Bill, I also noted that EADS may pull the plug on the whole deal unless the seven main buyers don't coff up Euro 5.3 Billion to keep production going, and the Magnificent Seven are hesitating to commit.
Seems a lot of cash for so few numbers, when they could have had a mix of C-17's, or C-130J's off the shelf.................

Cheers Dee

 

[straitman]

Re: Airbus Concerned About A400M Talks

Bill, I also noted that EADS may pull the plug on the whole deal unless the seven main buyers don't coff up Euro 5.3 Billion to keep production going, and the Magnificent Seven are hesitating to commit.
Seems a lot of cash for so few numbers, when they could have had a mix of C-17's, or C-130J's off the shelf.................

Cheers Dee

Agreed though I have in the back of my mind that the C-17 is not available for general sale which changes the rules yet again :!:

 

[Dee Thom]

With Rolls-Royce producing the engine, and Dowty the eight blade prop, making it the most powerful turbo-prop in the world, two of these engines could power a 737, 320 size craft.
Imagine a new generation of 180 pax sized plane, built using the latest light weight products, fitted out internally in say 32" pitch with seat back screens, and power jacks, competing with the "jets" on mainline routes, probably adding about 5 mins to a SYD/BNE sector(turbo props don't require long take-offs, or landings). Savings thru fuel, etc.,could take 40% off costs, and best of all, they would not be worried by curfews.
Will it happen ? who knows................

Cheers Dee