A400M Thousander Club launches with 28 aircrew members

As the A400M transport fleet rapidly grows its number of flight-hours, Airbus has recognized the aircrew with most hours on the type by creating the A400M Thousander Club. The club is open to those crew members who have clocked up 1,000 A400M hours and includes pilots, loadmasters, mechanics and members of Airbus Flight Test.

It has been launched with 28 members. At this year’s A400M User Forum in Orleans and Paris, seven awards were presented to French Air Force aircrew and two to personnel of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

A total of 19 Airbus aircrew, including Airbus experimental test pilot Tony Flynn who uniquely has already recorded 2,000 hours, were subsequently honoured at the International Training Centre in Seville. Jane Strongman, widow of the late Ed Strongman, the first person to record 1000 hours on the A400M, received his award.

All the awardees, internal and external, will be registered on the A400M Thousander Club Logbook as they reach 1000 hours. The book will be held and administrated by the A400M Programme and the awards ceremony will take place at each year’s User Forum. Later it will record all aircrew who reach 2000 and then 5000 hours.

The photos show the Airbus, French and Malaysian Club members receiving their Club certificates, patches and pins.