Low-speed take-off tests completed for the A400M aircraft

Posted by John McHaleMADRID, Spain, 26 March 2011. Low-speed take-off tests were completed by Airbus Military for the A400M aircraft. The tests determined the lowest speed at which the A400M can take-off -- known as minimum unstick speed or Vmu.During the flight tests, performed at Istres in France, the aircraft's nose was raised until a special bumper fitted to the rear fuselage struck the ground at the maximum pitch-up angle of 13 degrees.