After three full days in the Canadian north performing cold weather testing, an Airbus A321XLR is back in Toulouse warming back up.
On February 20th, an Airbus A321XLR took off from Toulouse for Iqaluit, in Canada’s north—the purpose of the trip: cold-weather tests. The week ended with the jet having completed four test flights out of and back into Iqaluit, and a return flight to Toulouse on February 24th. Iqaluit is one of two well-established Canadian cold-weather testing sites for the purposes of aircraft certification.
(Very) Sub-zero temperatures
With temperatures reaching as low as -40°C (-40°F) over the past week in Iqaluit (YFB), Airbus’ A321XLR registered F-WWBZ (MSN 11058) was certainly pushed to its cold-weather operating limits over the past few days.
The aircraft left Toulouse on Monday for a six-hour and 15-minute flight to Iqaluit, departing at 09:22, arriving at 09:39 (local time). While we don’t have any details for ground testing, we know from FlightRadar24.com data that Wednesday, February 22nd was the only day that saw the aircraft take to the skies for test fllights. On this day, the aircraft completed four take-offs and landings in quick succession over the course of the afternoon. The take-off times and durations are as follows:
- 15:06, duration of 21 minutes
- 15:32, duration of 10 minutes
- 17:01, duration of 21 minutes
- 17:24, duration of 11 minutes
As with cold weather testing of all aircraft, the A321XLR had all of its systems tested in the extreme, cold-weather environment. Tests cover the aircraft’s engines, its auxiliary power unit (APU), electrical systems, landing gear, and much more.
F-WWBZ returned to Toulouse on Friday, February 24th. The aircraft departed Iqaluit at 15:12 local time and arrived in Toulouse at 03:14. The total flight time for the return journey was six hours and two minutes.
Iqaluit: One of two Canadian cold-weather testing sites
According to Skies Magazine, Iqaluit in the Canadian territory of Nunavut is one of two well-established sites for testing aircraft in extreme cold-weather conditions in the country. The other site in Canada is located at Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.
While the Embraer E-195 E2 was one of the airport’s more recent visitors, Skies Magazine highlights the fact that Iqaluit is a favorite for European planemaker, Airbus. In the past, visiting types for cold-weather testing have included the A320neo, A350, and A380. Indeed, Iqaluit’s 2620 m (8605 ft.) runway is long enough to host the A380.
In addition to cold weather testing, the A321XLR will need to complete testing in other environments and conditions in order to gain regulatory certification. Performance at high-altitude airfields, as well as hot weather testing, are two such examples.
Are you excited that Airbus has completed this part of testing for the A321XLR? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment!
Sources: FlightRadar24.com, AIB Family Flights, Skies Magazine
Airbus
- Stock Code:
- AIR
- Business Type:
- Planemaker
- Date Founded:
- 1970-12-18
- CEO:
- Guillaume Faury
- Headquarters Location:
- Toulouse, France
- Key Product Lines:
- Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380
