Article from BTNews 6 MAY 2019
ACJ319 in endurance record
The first of Airbus’ new corporate jet contender, the ACJ319neo1, has successfully completed a 16hr 10min test flight, setting a new record for the longest A320 Family flight by an Airbus crew.
The aircraft flew from Toulouse to northern Greenland and back in a flight that also included a simulated diversion under 180min ETOPS3 rules, for which the A320 Family is already certificated.
The aircraft is derived from the A320neo, featuring new engines and wingtip-mounted Sharklets, and is due to be delivered to K5 Aviation of Germany later this year after flight trials are completed.
The endurance sortie took place two days after the ACJ319neo1 completed a first flight lasting 1hr 55min to begin the flight-test programme to verify its corporate jet features, including extra fuel tanks in the cargo hold to enable intercontinental range.
K5 Aviation CEO and chief pilot Erik Scheidt, who participated in the flight, said: “We want to fly customers to their destinations using the quickest routes, as well as delivering unsurpassed comfort and service, and it’s impressive to see such long-range capability at first hand.”
The new aircraft will also be notable for being outfitted with a VVIP cabin by Fokker Techniek in the Netherlands after delivery.
www.gknaerospace.com/en/our-solutions/aftermarket-services-mro/fokker-techniek
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