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The first ACJ319neo successfully completed a 16 hour and 10 minute test-flight on Friday (26th April), setting a new record for the longest A320 Family flight by an Airbus crew.

It flew from Toulouse to northern Greenland and back, in an endurance flight that included a simulated diversion under 180 minute ETOPS rules, for which the A320 airliner family is already certificated.

(L to R): Jim Fawcett, Flight Test Engineer | Captain Olivier Falipou, Test Pilot | First Officer Georges Myzckowski, Pilot | Erik Scheidt, K5 Aviation CEO & Chief Pilot | First Officer Frank Chapman, Experimental Test Pilot and Patrice Cadieu, Test Flight Engineer.

The aircraft is due to be delivered to K5 Aviation of Germany in the coming months, after ACJ319neo flight-trials are completed.

“We want to fly customers to their destination using the quickest routes, as well as delivering unsurpassed comfort and service, and it’s impressive to see such long-range capability at first hand,” said K5 Aviation CEO and Chief Pilot Erik Scheidt, who participated in the flight.

The ACJ319neo is derived from the A320neo airliner Family, which features new engines and wingtip-mounted Sharklets.

“Airbus’ modern aircraft family takes the world in its stride with robust reliability, and corporate jet operators are natural beneficiaries of this airliner heritage, which also brings comparable operating costs to traditional business jets,” said ACJ President Benoit Defforge.

K5 Aviation’s ACJ319neo is fitted with five additional centre tanks (ACTs) in its cargo-hold, and includes improvements such as a lower cabin-altitude for greater passenger comfort. Corporate jet orders and commitments for A320neo Family-derived aircraft now total 14.

Airlines and corporate jet customers have ordered almost 15,000 A320 Family aircraft to date, with more than 700 of the new A320neo version already serving airlines worldwide.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 2nd May 2019 | Issue #509

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