Airbus Military ran all four engines of its A400M prototype for the first time on November 18 as the aircraft closes in on its delayed first flight.
The four TP400 turboprops were run at low power settings simultaneously, first with the aid of ground power and then with fuel, for a total of four hours without any hot air or fluid leaks being found. The power settings will gradually be increased during subsequent ground tests prior to taxi, rejected takeoff and then flight testing. The aircraft’s APU was also successfully tested in providing power to the A400M’s systems and to start the engines.
“This is the first time we completely powered up the aircraft using the engine power and the first time that the aircraft has been operated completely autonomously,” said Fernando Alonso, Airbus Military’s head of flight operations.
