First China-assembled Airbus performs maiden flight
Airbus Industrie and China’s aerospace industry made history yesterday (May 18) when the first Airbus A320 aircraft assembled outside Europe successfully completed its first flight.
The Airbus Final Assembly Line China (FALC) is a joint-venture between Airbus and a Chinese consortium comprising Tianjin Free Trade Zone (TJFTZ) and China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC). Airbus China holds 51 per cent of the shares, while the Chinese Consortium holds 49 per cent. The FALC in Tianjin is based on the Airbus single-aisle Final Assembly Line in Hamburg, Germany. FALC started work in August 2008.
The aircraft took off from Tianjin International Airport at 10:42 am and landed at 14:56. The four hour and fourteen minute test flight was jointly captained by Harry Nelson, Vice President Production Flight Tests and by Experimental Test Pilot Philippe Pellerin. The other crew members were Senior Vice President Flight & Integration Tests Fernando Alonso and Zidan Ren, the first Chinese Flight Test Engineer trained by Airbus as well as Cabin Engineer Eric Garcia
“The flight was a complete success thanks to excellent teamwork,” said Fernando Alonso, Senior Vice President Flight & Integration Tests, Airbus. “I was delighted to participate in this historic flight. This A320 assembled in China unquestionably demonstrated the same quality and performance as those assembled and delivered in Hamburg or Toulouse.”
This first aircraft will be delivered to Dragon Aviation Leasing in June from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Tianjin and will be operated by Sichuan Airlines. Chinese customers have ordered more than 700 aircraft from Airbus, the majority of which are from the A320 Family. Eleven A319/A320 aircraft are scheduled for delivery in Tianjin in 2009 and the FALC production rate will be ramped up to four aircraft per month by the end of 2011.
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I don’t know about this, its a worry! Cutting costs in aviation has and always leads a lower standard of safety.
Lets be honest, we have all purchased items made in China whether we like it or not. Personally, I think the quality of goods (including the A320) are of a low standard and don’t last long.
Airbus have lowered their standards dramatically and I believe once word gets out, fewer people will want to fly airlines who use the A320.
Made in China goods, don’t have a sound reputation for quality and I’m of the opinion that this is a silly move by Airbus.
Anthony