American Airlines has wrapped up a month-long series of training flights between Philadelphia and Edinburgh as part of preparations to launch trans-Atlantic services with its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft next year.
Between 4 and 25 September, 42 flights were operated across the North Atlantic on an Airbus A321neo — not a typical aircraft for the route. The flights were designed to qualify check pilots to operate in the North Atlantic airspace, an important step before training the airline’s wider group of A320 pilots.
Several flights included Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, ensuring that the first eight check pilots met qualification standards. Those pilots then went on to train and assess others.
“These training flights were a huge success,” said Capt. Josh Hall, American’s A320 fleet captain. “This effort sets us up nicely to begin training our line pilots to fly the A321XLR over the North Atlantic, and it was only made possible by the hard work and professionalism of our check pilots, the FAA and our A320 flight training and fleet technical teams.”
The training covered a range of unique challenges involved in flying over the North Atlantic. Pilots had to become familiar with the North Atlantic Track system — a set of changing flight paths that shift daily depending on wind conditions — as well as air traffic control operations in a non-radar environment.
Unlike domestic routes, controllers in this region rely on position reports sent from aircraft, either automatically or by radio. Pilots also trained to use satellite-based communication systems and identify suitable diversion airports across the North Atlantic in case of emergencies.
The Airbus A321XLR — an extended-range version of the A321neo — will be able to fly up to 4,700 nautical miles, giving American the ability to open new long-haul routes using narrow-body aircraft. Further details, including the A321XLR’s first international destinations, are expected to be announced soon.
