First Jumps from the A400M

[Johnny5 0]

The A400M has reached another step in becoming operational. Paratroopers from France and the UK are busy evaluation the ability of the new aircraft.

Here are some shots of the aircraft releasing her load.

I'd rather be on a losing 4-way team than a winning football team.

[piisfish 140]

I hope they say YES, and buy lots of them planes, and then let us civilians jump out of them on our tax money

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[DeeBeeGee 0]

are these from weston-on-the-green (UK) this weekend? the RAF was doing some drops (interupting our jumping day!) from a plane i didn't recognise at the time but remarkedly similar to the a400m

[Johnny5 0]

No, these tests were conducted on 4 Nov over the Fonsorbes drop zone near Toulouse.

I'd rather be on a losing 4-way team than a winning football team.

[cpoxon 0]

No.

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"Six freefall paratroopers made jumps from aircraft "Grizzly Three" in separate passes from 6,000ft [1,820m] at the Fonsorbes drop zone near Toulouse on 4 November," Airbus says

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[piisfish 140]

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No.

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"Six freefall paratroopers made jumps from aircraft "Grizzly Three" in separate passes from 6,000ft [1,820m] at the Fonsorbes drop zone near Toulouse on 4 November," Airbus says

I must talk to my pilot. I also want minimal loading on the Porter, plas separate pass for everyone

So jealous now.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[JohnRich 4]

Nice!

Are those really 8-bladed props? Or is it just the stroboscopic effect making it look like that on the photo?

Those jumpers look very lonely exiting only one at a time. I think a 20-way chunk is in order next.

[DeNReN 0]

Sweet

John http://www.a400m.com/

[RMURRAY 1]

from the link. very cool!

[mjosparky 4]

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from the link. very cool!

Welll hell, that won't work. They are all bent.

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[spootch 0]

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from the link. very cool!

Welll hell, that won't work. They are all bent.

Sparky

Actually they are re conditioned submarine screws! damn aviation cutbacks

[Hvance 0]

Looks like a fun plane to jump from..

I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

[Johnny5 0]

Just to give you guys an idea of scale: the powerplant was tested on a C-130 before installation on the A400M. The powerplant had to be run at less than about 60% power in order not to cause adverse yaw!

See attached.

I'd rather be on a losing 4-way team than a winning football team.

[DSE 5]

Do you know the approximate RPM in these images?

[Johnny5 0]

Low-Noise cruise is around 655RPM and normal cruise is 750RPM.

I'd rather be on a losing 4-way team than a winning football team.

[airgord 1]

Who makes the engines?

[jrmrangers 0]

its just a shame that american companies can not even compete for american military contracts anymore. im a proud american and this is upsetting to me

Wait , I pull what first?

[Johnny5 0]

The powerplant is manufactured by Europrop International (http://www.europrop-int.com), a consortium of 4 existing companies.

I'd rather be on a losing 4-way team than a winning football team.

[Johnny5 0]

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its just a shame that american companies can not even compete for american military contracts anymore. im a proud american and this is upsetting to me

I do not understand the relevance of your statement to the discussion at hand. The A400M is not currently being presented for any US contract as far as I know.

If you are referring to the KC-X Tanker program, I would advise you to revise your statement. The Airbus A330 was chosen as the winning bid on merit, but the announcement was retracted after pressure from your government. Subsequently, Northrop Grumman / EADS retracted their bid since the criteria was changed to suit the Boeing bid. Even with American companies backing overseas competitors, it has proved almost impossible to enter the American market (ask US Aerospace...)

However, if you mean that American companies no longer have the technical skill to compete against foreign contractors, I will leave that for you to decide.

I'd rather be on a losing 4-way team than a winning football team.

[DeNReN 0]

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its just a shame that american companies can not even compete for american military contracts anymore. im a proud american and this is upsetting to me

where did that come from?

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/c130/c-130j-specs.html

http://www.a400m.com/Specifications.aspx

[cpoxon 0]

This is a skydiving forum.

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[airgord 1]

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its just a shame that american companies can not even compete for american military contracts anymore. im a proud american and this is upsetting to me

You understand this is not for the US market, right?

[pilotdave 0]

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the announcement was retracted after pressure from your government. Subsequently, Northrop Grumman / EADS retracted their bid since the criteria was changed to suit the Boeing bid. Even with American companies backing overseas competitors, it has proved almost impossible to enter the American market (ask US Aerospace...)

Not that I want to get into a debate that belongs in the speakers corner, but...

Yeah, that stuff never happens the other way around in Europe.
Dave

[shropshire 0]

Wow ... run in speed must be high (last photo) it's ripped that canopy to shite

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Johnny5 0]

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Wow ... run in speed must be high (last photo) it's ripped that canopy to shite

Maybe the loadmaster dispatched from the front door?!

I'd rather be on a losing 4-way team than a winning football team.