Innovations
First serial Sharklet equipped A320 starts certification flight test
The first series Sharklet equipped A320 aircraft flew for the second time May 15, engaging in its final certification flight test campaign. This aircraft, MSN5098, is equipped with CFM56 engines.
The test campaign will validate handling characteristics and the preliminary performance databases, providing data for certification.
The other Sharklet provisioned A320, MSN5148, was equipped with IAE engines and flew for the first time on May 4.
The Airbus flight test for A320 MSN1 is nearing completion of its Sharklet test campaign having finished a set of back-to-back measurement flights equipped first with Sharklets and then with wing tip fences. The aircraft will be re-equipped with Sharklets in the coming days for final low speed tests. Thereafter it will be used to gather data to further validate the aerodynamic model for the A320neo Family (which will incorporate Sharklets).
Korean Air Aerospace is completing installation of their moving line production facility and are preparing to ramp-up assembly of Sharklets for shipment to the various Airbus final assemby lines.
Final detailed results of flight performance improvements obtained with the Sharklets are not yet available, however data already gathered show improvements in line with, if not better than initial theoretical computations.
For more information contact:
Frédéric Fernandez
A320 Family Marketing Director
frederic.f.fernandez@airbus.com