Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has again chosen Irish air space to undertake flight testing of one of its new aircraft.
The company’s first military transport aircraft, the A400M Grizzly, spent several hours operating off the west coast yesterday.
The four-engine turbo-prop transporter, or airlifter, is specifically designed to meet the needs of European Nato nations, as well as the requirements of international air forces.
Four A400M prototypes have been built and are currently participating in a 3,700-hour test and certification campaign that will lead to approval for the A400M’s entry into service.
While it has been designed to operate in a military role, the test aircraft was not flying as a “military aircraft” during yesterday’s flight testing.
The plane left Bordeaux “on a round-robin flight” and arrived in Irish airspace shortly before 2pm. The crew contacted Shannon air-traffic controllers to receive clearance to proceed to their area of operation.
The flight crew had filed a flight plan to operate in a designated area off the west coast between altitudes of 5,000ft-20,000ft.
In 2006 the company’s A380 jet visited Shannon during the test phase of its development and carried out a number of landings and take-offs.