King Juan Carlos I of Spain becomes first head of state to fly in Airbus Military A400M

March, 1st

King Juan Carlos I of Spain has today become the first head of state to fly in the Airbus Military A400M new-generation military airlifter which is assembled in Seville. With Airbus Chief Test Pilot Military, Edward "Ed" Strongman, and Experimental Test Pilot, Ignacio “Nacho” Lombo, the King of Spain made a local flight of some 40 minutes from the Torrejón base near Madrid.

During the flight the King, who qualified as a military pilot, took control of the aircraft for 20 minutes at around 10,000 feet altitude and performed a series of manoeuvres including turns and a simulated delivery of humanitarian supplies.

The King was accompanied by the Spanish Industry Minister, José Manuel Soria, the president and CEO of Airbus, Tom Enders, the president and CEO of Airbus Military, Domingo Ureña and the Head of Flight and Integration tests of Airbus, Fernando Alonso.

The picture shows His Majesty with the Head of Flight and Integration tests of Airbus, Fernando Alonso, inside the cockpit of the A400M.