AIRCRAFT
The ultra-long range Airbus A340-500 and the significantly stretched A340-600 are recent variants of the Airbus A340. When it was introduced, the A340-500 was the world's longest-range airliner. The extra length of the A340-600 gives Airbus a true replacement for early-model 747s and a near direct competitor to the 747-400, with a similar range, and, Airbus claims, with better operating economics per seat.By adding these versions to its existing A340 models, Airbus is offering operators greater choice in terms of capacity and range, along with the four-engine advantages of ETOPS-free operation. (ETOPS means Extended-range Twin-engined Operation Performance Standards.)
The new models share a common wing. This is based on the wing of the early-model A340s but is 1.6m (5.2ft) longer and has a tapered wingbox insert, resulting in increased wing area and fuel capacity. The wings are being produced with low-voltage electromagnetic riveting machines and assembled using innovative laser tracking techniques, processes that have earned the wings Millennium Product designation by the UK government.
Another major change to the A340 airframe is the use of the larger fin and larger tailplane of the twin-engined A330-200. Additionally, the rudder-control system is now all electric. To cope with the increased weight of the airplane, the center undercarriage main gear is a four-wheel bogie, instead of a two-wheel unit, and both models have taxi cameras to help the pilots during ground maneuvers.
They both have a high degree of commonality with the A330 and other A340 models, and feature Airbus' common two-crew flightdeck. However, this has some improvements such as LCD displays instead of CRT ones, and modernized systems.
Both are powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 556 turbofans. The A340-500's produce 236kN (53,000lb) thrust, and the A340-600's produce 249kN (56,000lb). The engine features a new low pressure turbine and refined blade aerodynamics, and underwent a flight test program on an A340-300 test aircraft in mid-2000, prior to the first flight of the A340-600. Nacelle design was carried out by Aircelle.
The commercial launch for the A340-500/600 pair was at the 1997 Paris Airshow. The program's industrial launch was in December of that year when Virgin Atlantic ordered eight A340-600s and optioned eight.
First metal on the A340-600 and A340-500 was cut in June 1998 and June 1999 respectively. The high degree of commonality between the two programs means that very little duplication of work is required to produce two aircraft designed for distinctly different missions.
Final assembly of all A340 models is undertaken alongside the A330 by EADS Aérospatiale in Toulouse, France.
The A340-500 made its first flight on February 11, 2002, and was certificated on December 3 of that year after 400 hours of flight test. First deliveries were to Emirates.
While the USAF KC-10 Extender flight-refueling tanker can fly farther than any other production aircraft, the A340-500 was the world's longest-range commercial airliner until the introduction of the Boeing 777-200LR "Worldliner" in early 2006. The A340-500 can fly 313 passengers in a three-class cabin layout over 8,650 nautical miles (16,000 km). Singapore Airlines currently uses this model for its Newark-Singapore nonstop route, an 18-hour, 15,345 km journey that is the longest non-stop commercial flight in the world. The airline uses a 181-passenger, two-class layout for the route.
The A340-500 can travel non-stop from London to Perth, Australia. Also, Thai Airways International flies the model for its non-stop flights from Bangkok to Los Angeles and Bangkok to New York, while Air Canada uses it for its non-stop flights from Toronto to Hong Kong.
Compared with the A340-300, the A340-500 is stretched by 3.19m (10ft 6in) through the insertion of six extra fuselage frames. It also has a massive increase in fuel capacity of around 50%, and a slightly higher cruising speed. The A340-500HGW (High Gross Weight) version with a range of 9,000 nm (16,700 km) and an MTOW of 380 tonnes is due to enter service in 2007 with Thai Airways International. It will use the strengthened structure and enlarged fuel capacity of the A340-600HGW. The A340-500HGW is powered by four 56,000 lb (249 kN) thrust Rolls-Royce Trent 556 turbofans. The direct Boeing equivalent is the 777-200LR, which entered service in February 2006.
The A340-600 was designed as an early-generation Boeing 747-200/-300 replacement, it flies 380 passengers in a three-class cabin layout over 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km). In a two-class arrangement, it has a capacity of 419. It can therefore carry a similar passenger load to a 747 but it has twice the cargo volume, and lower trip and seat costs.
First flight of the A340-600 was made on April 23, 2001, and after a 1,600-hour flight-test program, certification was received on May 29, 2002. Virgin Atlantic took delivery of its first A340-600 at the 2002 Farnborough International Airshow, and began commercial services in August of that year.
Virgin's first seven aircraft were delivered with overweight wings, and when the company elected to receive replacement aircraft, these airframes were delivered at a reduced price to Iberia Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
Cathay uses the model on its nonstop service between Hong Kong and New York's JFK.
Compared with the A340-300, the A340-600 has 17 extra fuselage frames, producing a 9.07m (35ft 1in) stretch. Of this, 5.87m (19ft 3in) (11 frames) is ahead of the wings, and 3.19m (10ft 6in) (six frames) is behind the wings. The stretch makes the model the world‚s longest airliner, more than four meters longer than Boeing's 747-400. However, it will be 1.1 meters shorter than the upcoming 747-8.
The A340-600HGW (High Gross Weight) version first flew on November 18, 2005, and was certificated on April 14, 2006. It has an MTOW of 380 tonnes and a range of up to 7,900 nm (14,600 km), made possible by strengthened structure, increased fuel capacity, new manufacturing techniques like laser beam welding, and a more powerful 60,000 lb (267 kN) version of the Trent 560.
Emirates became the launch customer for the -600HGW when it ordered 18 at the 2003 Paris Air Show. However, they postponed their order while waiting for Airbus to clarify its future plans for the A340 model range, and ultimately cancelled it. Rival Qatar Airways, which placed its order at the same air show, took delivery of its first aircraft on September 11, 2006.
The direct Boeing equivalent is the 777-300ER.
As of November 2006, total deliveries of the A340-500 stood at 24. They were all still in service.
As of November 2006, total deliveries of the A340-600 stood at 69. They were all still in service.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 1996-2007 Pyramid Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Online | Magazines | Newsletters | Business & Prof | Books & eBooks
Advertising | Marketing | Content | Info Services | Links
Subscriptions | Order Center | Contact Us | Home
Copyright © 1996-2007 Pyramid Media Group | Liability | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service