The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) today handed-over a type certificate to EPI Europrop International GmbH (EPI) for the TP400-D6 engine that powers the Airbus A400M transport aircraft. It is the first large turboprop engine to have been certified by EASA. The engine has been certified to civil standards.
This certification completes airworthiness approvals by EASA and is the result of an intensive series of safety, endurance and performance tests. The TP400 has completed all major development testing since the first engine run in late 2005, as well as achieving over 12,000 running hours, around 8,000 of which have been carried out during the A400M flight test programme.
Commenting on the engine certification, Patrick Goudou, EASA Executive Director, said: "Certifying the TP400 has presented a unique series of firsts due to the leading-edge technology that is incorporated in the design of the engine. Today's achievement is the result of the strong cooperation and high degree of dedication of the teams from EPI, its parent companies (ITP, MTU, Rolls-Royce, Snecma), and EASA.
During development testing, the engine demonstrated absolute compliance to certification specifications when operating at sea-level and altitude conditions. It also proved its ability to cope with bird strikes, ice and water ingestion. Testing was undertaken at a variety of open air, indoor and altitude facilities at six locations across Europe – Ludwigsfelde in Germany, Istres and Saclay in France, Ajalvir and Moron in Spain and Liers in Belgium.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the centerpiece of the European Union's strategy for aviation safety. Our mission is to promote and achieve the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation. Based in Cologne, the Agency currently employs more than 650 experts and administrators from all over Europe.
Dominique Fouda, Safety Information & Communications Officer
Tel.: + 49 (221) 89990 2007 - Fax: + 49 (221) 89990 2507 - dominique.fouda [at] easa.europa.eu (dominique[dot]fouda[at]easa[dot]europa[dot]eu)
Ilias Maragakis, External Communications Officer
Tel.: + 49 (221) 89990 2030 - Fax: + 49 (221) 89990 2530 - ilias.maragakis [at] easa.europa.eu (ilias[dot]maragakis[at]easa[dot]europa[dot]eu)
