The Agency grants initial type certificate to Airbus Military for the A400M

The Agency grants initial type certificate to Airbus Military for the A400M
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued on Thursday 3 May 2012 a so-called restricted type certificate (RTC) for the Airbus A400M aircraft. This first approval was presented by EASA Executive Director Patrick Goudou at an internal ceremony in Toulouse, France.

The RTC is a major milestone towards the award of a full EASA civil type certification which is expected in mid-2012 after a dedicated function and reliability flight test campaign will have been completed.

The A400M is a medium range large aeroplane with four turboprop engine, eight blades propellers, a maximum take-off weight of 137,5 Tons and a maximum ferry range of 4700 Nautical miles.

This A400M civil aircraft configuration and EASA certification will be the baseline for a subsequent recommendation for the military version of the A400M aircraft to be certified by the respective Military Airworthiness National Authorities, in accordance with their particular military certification and qualification requirements.

In addition to the aircraft RTC issued today, EASA previously issued the type certificates for the turboprop engine TP400-D6 granted to Europrop International on 6 May 2011 and for the propellers granted to Ratier-Figeac on 22 March 2012.