Airbus A340
Except for the number of its engines, the Airbus A-340 is very similar to his brother, the A330. The four engine formula has some advantages to offer, beginning with the ability to carry about the same payload over longer distances, thanks to a higher fuel capacity (up to 173,000 litres). Another advantage of the four engine formula is its greater flexibility when planning long flights over unpopulated areas (Extended Range operations) as the maintenance rules applying on twin engined aircraft are more restrictive for this kind of operations.
Like on the A330, the horizontal stabilizer is equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank that is automatically filled or emptied in flight to optimise CG (Center of Gravity) position and thus decrease the fuel consumption. Computer help in all aspects of flight management much contributes to the increased security and comfort the plane has to offer.
First flight took place on the 25th of October , 1991 (A340-300) and the machine started operations with Air France and Lufthansa in March 1993.
The A340-300 is a stretched version of the 200 version, this last one trading some of the offered payload for an increased range. There is also a A340-300E with CFM56-5C4 engines. The first 300E were delivered to Singapore Airlines in 1996. Range of this model (7,100 nm - 13,148 km) is very close to that one of a 340-200.
The 500 and 600 versions, of which a prototype was seen at the Paris - Le Bourget airshow in 2001, are now direct rivals of the biggest Boeing machines in terms of range and capacity. The proposed engines are the Rolls-Royce Trent 556 delivering 56,000 lbs of trust.
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