http://www.eurofighter.com/news/latestnews.asp
First Flights for Eurofighter Typhoon Series Production Aircraft
(SPAs) 14 February 2003
Eurofighter GmbH today announced maiden flights of the first four
Series Production Aircraft (SPA) in the four Eurofighter Partner
Nations Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. This event
is a milestone for the Eurofighter Typhoon programme as it
approaches Entry to Service.
The first Series Production Aircraft will now undergo a process of
clearances for Type Acceptance leading to qualification of the
Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System. Training and Support for air
crew and maintenance personnel has already begun at different
locations across the partner nations in anticipation of Entry to
Service. The Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System will form the
backbone of NATO Air Power for a new generation of swing/multi-role
aircraft that will be in service for at least 40 years.
Commenting on events Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer,
Eurofighter GmbH, stated This milestone marks a change in the
Eurofighter programme. We are in full series production with more
than 90 aircraft already on the line. In addition, plans for
development of enhanced versions of the Weapon System are well
advanced, with significant interest from the European partner air
forces and potential export countries.
The flights are a prelude to Entry to Service and the realisation
of a major undertaking by the European industrial partners in
establishing a world class industry for military aircraft in the
global market.'
Commenting for NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency
(NETMA), General Emilio Poyo Guerrero stated The flights of our
SPAs are a step forward and a sign of progress in our programme.
NETMA and the Partner Nations are working closely with Industry to
complete the detailed and complex tasks necessary before acceptance
and delivery of the Typhoon weapon system to our Air Forces.'
Eurofighter Typhoon Series Production Aircraft Flight
Profiles
German Trainer 001 (GT001)
Location: EADS Military Aircraft, Manching, Germany
Date: 13 February 2003, 15.43 CET (44 minutes)
Aircraft: Eurofighter GT001
Configuration: Production Standard Twin Seat
Aircrew: Heinz Spoelgen, EADS Military Aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon Project Test Pilot
Lt. Col. Robert Hierl , German Air Force
GT001 is the first of 180 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft planned for
the German Air Force.
The flight with this production twin-seat GT001 was a unique
experience. The aircraft demonstrated a very high level of maturity
and performance for a first flight that exceeded our expectations.
We look forward to conducting more sorties.
Italian Trainer 001 (IT001)
Location: Alenia Aeronautica, Caselle, Italy
Date: 14 February 2003, 14.30 CET (50 minutes)
Aircraft: Eurofighter Typhoon IT001
Configuration: Production Standard Twin Seat
Aircrew: Cpt. Marco Venanzetti, Alenia Aeronautica,
Test Pilot
Cpt. Enrico Scarabotto, Alenia Aeronautica,
Test Pilot
This first flight marks a milestone in my flying experience and
also for the people behind the Eurofighter programme. The aircraft
performed extremely well and we now have a clear view of what we
are about to deliver. Simply, this is an outstanding aircraft with
exceptional performance.
Eurofighter Typhoon IT001 is the first of 121 aircraft planned for
the Italian Air Force. IT001 will initially be involved in EMC
clearance testing as part of the overall Type Acceptance process
for the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon system
British Trainer 001 (BT001)
Location: BAE SYSTEMS, Warton, UK
Date: 14 February 2003, 16.37 GMT (21 minutes)
Aircraft: Typhoon BT001
Configuration: Production Standard Twin Seat
Aircrew: Derek Reeh, BAE SYSTEMS,
Director of Flight Operations
Archie Neill, BAE SYSTEMS,
Typhoon Entry-into-Service Manager
Wing Commander David Chan, based at Warton to bring Typhoon into
service for the RAF, commented: Seeing BT001 fly today proved to
me that the programme is moving on at a pace. Typhoon is important
for the RAF and important for our national security, and will form
the cornerstone of RAF Air Power for decades to come.
BT001 is the first of 232 Typhoon aircraft planned for the Royal
Air Force. Initially BT001 will deploy to Boscombe Down where it
will undertake EMC testing as part of the Type Acceptance process
for the Eurofighter Typhoon Weapon System.
Spanish Trainer 001 (ST001)
Location: EADS Military Aircraft, Getafe, Spain
Date: 17 February 2003
Aircraft: Eurofighter ST001
Configuration: Production Standard Twin Seat
Aircrew: Eduardo Cuadrado Garcia, EADS-CASA
Chief of Test Pilot Center at Getafe
Alfonso de Castro Tornero, EADS-CASA
Eurofighter Test Pilot
ST001 is the first of 87 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft planned for
the Spanish Air Force.
Commenting on the flight Cuadrado said, this maiden flight has
been especially important for me. I entered the cockpit with a high
level of confidence and certainty in the aircrafts maturity and
that that the aircraft would perform well which was proven beyond
my expectations. Flying Eurofighter really is a superb and
gratifying experience.
