RAF FSTA (Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft), Airbus Military Tanker for UK, completes first flight

The first A330 MRTT Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK Royal Air Force has successfully completed its maiden flight from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid following its conversion.

The first A330 MRTT Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK Royal Air Force has successfully completed its maiden flight from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid following its conversion.

The aircraft, converted from a basic A330-200 by Airbus Military, took off at 11.41 local time (09.41 UTC) and landed at 13.37 local time (11.37 UTC) after a flight lasting close to two hours (airborne).

Chief Pilot FSTA Tim Butler captained the flight supported by Chief Test Pilot Eduardo Cuadrado. The engineering team on board included: Test Flight Engineer Santiago Manso, and Flight Test Engineers Jorge Fuentes and Alfonso Sopeña.

The crew reported that the aircraft, its systems, and two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines performed entirely satisfactorily. As planned, no refuelling activity was undertaken during this flight.

Tim Butler said: “After this major conversion of the aircraft to a MRTT, it was very satisfying to find everything working so well. This first flight of a second version of the A330 MRTT confirms the handling qualities and maturity of the aircraft.”

The flight marks the beginning of a test campaign that will lead to first delivery to the RAF towards the end of 2011.

Press Release