Page 35 - AAA January / February 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP
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(MTOW) of 101 metric tonne
as compared to the 97 tonne
MTOW of the A321LR. While
outwardly largely similar to the
A321LR, the A321XLR features
several significant upgrades on
the inside.
The increased MTOW allows
the aircraft to carry more fuel
and passengers, but requires
uprated landing gear, wheels
and brakes. The aircraft features
a new water and waste system
as well as the new fuel system
elements (pumps and control
ballast system to ensure the also route-proving for custom- systems etc.) associated with
change of CG during flight. The ers. Before Airbus is granted the new integral Rear-Centre-
focus of these test aircraft is on EASA type certification for the Tank which can hold up to
the aircraft’s technical systems, A321XLR, it will have to com- 12,900 litres of additional fuel.
updated flight controls and han- plete 150 hours of flying during
dling and performance. There is which it will have to represent
however, one important differ- routine airline-like operations As compared to the double-slot-
ence between FTV1 and FTV2, and undertake flights safely ted inboard flap of the original
while the former is powered by under all normal dispatch con- A321’s wing, the A321XLR
CFM LEAP-1As, the latter is ditions. This testing is being features a simpler single-slot-
powered by P&W GTF engines. undertaken by Airbus with an ted inboard flap system and an
Jean-Philippe Cottet, head of airline partner. electronically signalled “e-Rud-
Flight Tests at Airbus, says der” (with related changes to
The A321XLR’s ‘Functional the flight control computers).
The A321XLR will also feature
“We are certifying the and Reliability Testing’ (FnR) upgrades to the overall flight
programme got underway in
two engine types in September 2023. This calls control system design, which
parallel on the A321XLR for the flying to be done using is based on the A321s origi-
in the same timescale. a single aircraft, flying on a nal architecture from the early
1990s.
It’s a first in our history, continuous schedule, and in a
configuration that needs to be
since in the recent past as close as possible to the final The aircraft will also feature an
we have been certifying ‘Type’ design. In October as upgraded version of the same
engine variants sequen- part of the type’s route proving Airspace cabin delivered on
tially one after the campaign, an A321XLR test air- current A321neos. However,
it will feature improved ther-
craft also made a six hour flight
other.” across Europe powered by 30% mal and acoustic insulation as
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) well the ventilation and heat-
MSN11080, the third new-build ing systems, which have been
test aircraft (FTV3) has also Same but Different especially enhanced for the
been fitted with CFM LEAP -XLR as it will remain in the air
engines and is being used for A derivative of Airbus’ A321LR, at higher altitudes for extended
maturity testing of the passen- the A321XLR has an increased periods, compared with regular
ger cabin interior elements and Maximum Take-Off Weight A321neos.•
ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024 | 35
