First US-built Airbus Flies

摘要

European manufacturer Airbus successfully flew the first aircraft built at its US manufacturing facility on March 21. The A321, destined for JetBlue, lifted off from the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, in Alabama at 0936hrs, landing back at the site at 1302hrs. Test Pilots Mark McCullins and Bruce Macdonald had the honour of performing the first flight and were accompanied by Flight Test Engineers Thierry Cros and Nick Picconi, and Ground Test Engineers/Cabin Specialists Alexander Gentzsch and Mike Johns. Tests were performed on systems, engines and structure performance during the 3hr 26min sortie.