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| The Airbus 242-ton maximum take-off weight A330-300 variant. Photo: Airbus |
[Avionics Today 04-02-2015] Airbus’ first 242-ton maximum takeoff weight A330-300 has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. The company expects subsequent verification for the U.S. from the FAA to follow soon.
The GE-powered A330-300 variant’s certification culminates Airbus’ successful flight test campaign that included approximately 100 total flight hours performed by an in-house development A330 to validate the new aerodynamic package, and a production aircraft to confirm the center tank configuration and overall A330-300 performance.
In the coming months, Airbus also is planning to certify the remaining increased takeoff weight A330-300 and A330-200 variants for the jetliners’ other engine choices: the Rolls-Royce Trent 700 and Pratt & Whitney’s PW4000. U.S.-based launch customer Delta Air Lines is scheduled to take delivery of the initial increased takeoff weight A330 variant later this year as the first of 11 worldwide customers who have ordered this option since its launch in 2012.