Airbus rolled out the first A320NEO (new engine option) single-aisle jetliner prototype, following completion of painting and mounting ...
Airbus rolled out the first A320NEO (new engine option) single-aisle jetliner prototype, following completion of painting and mounting of Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engines from its Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse (France)..
The upgraded A320NEO will replace the current A320 aircraft family(now A320ceo (current engine option)).
The MSN6101, will soon start its ground tests to prepare for flight test campaign scheduled to begin in September 2014, paving the way for Entry Into Service in Q4 2015. MSN6101 is equipped with extensive flight test instrumentation for handling qualities, performance and engine tests, along with the high-altitude, and hot and cold weather campaigns.
Airbus has already performed approximately 250 flight hours of testing on a A320ceo developmental aircraft to evaluate hardware and software for NEO flight control laws, and test bench validation of thrust reversers.
The NEO flight test fleet will eventually comprise eight aircraft including two A320neos, one A319neo and one A321neo for each of the new engine choices: Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G-JM and the CFM International LEAP-1A.
Airbus is planning to add a second PW1100-JM powered A320NEO to the developmental fleet this year featuring a lighter flight test instrumentation for noise, functionality, reliability testing and ETOPS approval. Airbus will also start a virtual flight test campaign this summer using simulators to evaluate flight characteristics of NEO for a smoother first flight scheduled for September. Other than new engines,
A320NEO features aerodynamic improvement of a large curved winglet (Sharklet) wing-tip devices, reduced weight, a new cabin with larger luggage spaces, and an improved air purification system. These refinements altogether is expected to deliver a 15 percent fuel savings, reduction of 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year, 8% lower operating costs, as well as an increase in range of approximately 500 nautical miles.
Airbus has won nearly 2,700 orders, from more than 50 customers since NEO launch in 2010, translating into a 60 percent of the market share in the segment.
