Gallery: First Kazak A400M Completes Maiden Flight

Angus Batey June 17, 2024
Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Credit: Airbus Defence and Space/Sergio Flores - Mango Producciones

The first Kazak A400M prepares for its maiden flight.

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Credit: Airbus Defence and Space/Sergio Flores - Mango Producciones

The aircraft taking off, at 14:42 local time.

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Credit: Airbus Defence and Space/Sergio Flores - Mango Producciones

The A400M is the first aircraft to use a configuration known as Down-Between-Engines (DBE), where the two propellers on each wing both rotate toward each other.

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Credit: Airbus Defence and Space/Sergio Flores - Mango Producciones

Advantages conferred by the DBE configuration include a small increase in lift during lower-speed phases of flight, allowing the A400M's designers to reduce the size of the flap system and the horizontal tail area.

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Credit: Airbus Defence and Space/Sergio Flores - Mango Producciones

On approach during this first flight, the aircraft has its ram air turbine - fitted to the port side undercarriage fairing - deployed.

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Kazakhstan A400M First Flight

Credit: Airbus Defence and Space/Sergio Flores - Mango Producciones

MSN139 landed back at Seville at 19:23, after almost five hours of engine and systems tests.

Kazakhstan 's First A400M

Kazakhstan 's First A400M

The aircraft was rolled out in April. Its first engine run and a first taxi took place the same month.

Kazakhstan's First A400M

Kazakhstan's First A400M

Credit: Airbus Defence and Space/Sergio Flores - Mango Producciones

Kazakhstan has ordered two A400Ms and Airbus expects to deliver MSN139 before the end of 2024.

The first Airbus A400M built for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan has completed its maiden flight. The aircraft - production number MSN139, but bearing a temporary Spanish registration A4M139, and under the callsign CASA439 - took off from Airbus's Seville, Spain, plant on Monday June 10, according to a post from Airbus Defense and Space's account to business social-networking site LinkedIn.

Angus Batey

Angus Batey has been contributing to various titles within the Aviation Week Network since 2009, reporting on topics ranging from defense and space to business aviation, advanced air mobility and cybersecurity.