24 years ago, but since I will not be in Airbus when 25 years are fulfilled (silver anniversary) I want to advance this tribute

24 years ago, on November 28, 1997, the prototype of the C295, P1 “Ciudad de Getafe”, took off at 14:30 to make its first flight.

This prototype was aircraft serial number 15 of the CN235, which had been flying in Binter Canarias. With it, it was intended to test in flight, in the shortest time possible, the aerodynamic configuration and power plant of the C-295, and therefore test and freeze the flight control configuration on this aircraft.

The configuration requirements that were marked for the prototype were:

? External configuration identical to the standard one: Lengthened and reinforced fuselage (basically as a modification, the fuselage had been cut and 6 frames added, 3 meters longer, 3 frames after frame 20, and another 3 after frame 24). Series engine nacelles. Series main gear nacelles (the new geometry was due to the new, more voluminous wheels and gear and an aerodynamic optimization). Extended vertical stabilizer (500 mm)

? Standard power plant: Prat & Whitney 127 G engine. Hamilton Standard 568 F-5 6-blade propeller with a diameter of 12.9 ft.

? Auto-trim and Down Spring in longitudinal control

? Pneumatic booster and deflection limiter in directional control.

? Standard roll control kinematics.

? Initial landing gear that of the CN235, limiting the weight to 21000-kg, but with wheels, brakes and tires of the BAe ATP plane, with a new adapted axle.

? The hydraulic system was equipped with a third pump.

? The leading edges were replaced by those of the CN235-200

? The flaps and actuation mechanisms were reinforced to increase the speed of operation.

? Modified the anti-ice system to introduce pneumatic boots in the midplane.

? Installed a new starter-generator with less starting torque

? Modified engine and propeller controls.

? Replaced engine instruments with liquid crystal displays (IEDS)

? An air data computer was installed to meet the needs of the engine and flight control equipment.

There was a fundamental difference in this program and it was that the Engineering Head (A special memory to its director Manuel Hita Romero) relied on a group of people who had been in the CN235 program, all of them directed by the Head of Flight Tests Jose Luis Santana Samamed, who knew its weak points and its great virtues, so in the development it was not sought to fix the configuration only following the envelope of a normal aircraft, but rather that the configuration remained very stable in conditions of operation for which the plane had to be effective, for example, from the beginning it was set as a design condition that the plane be certificable in extreme ice conditions or in extreme airdrop conditions.

The pilot, Alfonso de Miguel Gonzalez said in his report of the first flight

?"The first flight of the C-295 prototype has been carried out in full compliance with FTC no. 3 and the result has been fully satisfactory. The aircraft retains the proven flight qualities of the CN-235 and even improves on them in terms of lateral handling."

A special memory to whom was co-pilot on that flight, my great teacher Jose Murga Uribarri, unbeatable person and masterful pilot, may he rest in peace. Also a remember to the flight mechanic Carmelo Ros.

This first flight was followed by another eight flights where all the corners of the envelope were explored and the first development actions of the aircraft that we enjoy today were determined. I can assure you that they were very intense flights.

To date, aircraft number 214 is being delivered now, and with an order portfolio that exceeds 300 units.

By the way, a few days ago, on November 11, 39 years ago was performed first flight of the CN235 from which this C-295 departed. With Jose Murga Iribarri and Guillermo Delgado -Brackenbury on the controls.