The Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter for the 21st Century landed today in Santiago de Chile during its first visit to Latin America as part of the A400M flight test campaign. Flown by Experimental Test Pilot Ignacio “Nacho” Lombo, the aircraft landed at FIDAE Airshow at approximately 13:15.
Grizzly 2, one of the five development aircraft, arrived in Latin America on 23 of March to perform high altitude flight tests at Cochabamba, Bolivia, where the airfield is located at 8,360ft (2,550 m) above sea level. Flying from Cochabamba towards FIDAE Airshow, the A400M reached another milestone in its flight test programme: the 1000th flight.
After its arrival at FIDAE, it will stay at the show in static display until 28th of March when the aircraft will fly to Lima, Peru, for a visit and to La Paz, Bolivia, at more than 13,000ft (3,960 m), for further flight tests.
“I had the privilege to land the A380 for the first time at FIDAE in 2008, which was a proud moment. I am delighted to be back again at FIDAE and this time to bring the most versatile new generation airlifter: the A400M. It is an honor for us to have the A400M for the first time at FIDAE and see it here next to the A380, two new generation aircraft together”, said Nacho Lombo.
The A400M is the all new military airlifter designed to satisfy not only the Armed Forces’ needs in the 21st Century, but also the needs of humanitarian aid and other “civic” missions to the benefit of society. Thanks to its advanced technologies, it is able to fly higher, faster and further while retaining high maneuverability, low speed and short, soft and rough airfield capabilities.
