General Statistics
C-29 Series Cockpit crew: 2 Seating Capacity: 195 Cargo capacity: 37 m3 (1,300 cu ft) Length: 37.57 m Wingspan: 35.80 m Height: 11.76 m Max. takeoff weight: 79 t (174,200 lb) Max. payload: 20 t (44,100 lb) Operating empty: 44.3 t (97,700 lb) Minimum Weight: 46.3–46.6 Fuel capacity: 29,659 L Engines: 2x CFM International LEAP-1A Max. Thrust: 120.6 kN (27,120 lbf) Cruise Speed: Mach 0.78 (450 kn; 833 km/h) Maximum Speed: Mach 0.82 (473 kn; 876 km/h) Ceiling: 39,100–39,800 ft (11,900–12,100 m) Typical range: 6,500 km / 3,500 nmi Takeoff Runway: 1,951 m (6,400 ft) C-30 Series Cockpit crew: 2 Seating Capacity: 406 Cargo capacity: 132.4 m3 (4,680 cu ft) Length: 58.82 m Wingspan: 64 m Height: 17.39 m Max. takeoff weight: 251 t (553,000 lb) Max. payload: 44 t (97,000 lb) Operating empty: 132 t (291,000 lb) Fuel capacity: 139,090 L Engines: 2x Trent 7000-72 Max. Thrust: 2x 324.0 kN / 72,834 lbf (takeoff) Maximum Speed: Mach 0.82 (473 kn; 876 km/h) Ceiling: 41,450 ft (12,634m) Typical range: 15,094 km (8,150nmi) |
The C-29 and C-30 aircraft series are used in Xuande-Xiphoian service as the base aircraft for a fleet of Xuande-Xiphoian air assets. The airframes are derived from the A320 (for the C-29) and the A330-200 (for the C-30), with new build airframes utilising the "neo" aircraft option, which have a number of improvements.
The A320 was launched in March 1984, first flew on 22 February 1987, and was introduced in April 1988 into Xuande-Xiphoi by Air Nonus. The A330-300, the first variant, took its maiden flight in November 1992 and entered service with Royal Menkou Airways in January 1993. The slightly shorter A330-200 variant was rapidly developed and entered service for flights between Menkou Dao and Zhou Si Dao in 1995. The aircraft were entered into a Forum bids process in 2000 to determine the possibility of simplifying the Xuande-Xiphoian Air Force's various large platforms into a minimal number of platforms. The C-29 is a narrow-body small airliner, providing copious space for mission equipment. The C-30 is a longer, wide-body airline, posessing enhanced capabilites and cargo carrying ability. The two aircraft have a high percentage of parts commonality, and through the Armed Service's cooperation with the civilian airline industry, our aircraft have some of the highest mission availability rates in the world. The aircraft also have very similar flight deck setups, which allows pilots qualified on one aircraft type to become qualified on the other within a 7 day training period, instead of a 30-40 day period or longer. The design philospohy of the aircraft focuses on fly by wire technology, which adds a computer into the flow of instruction from the pilot to the aircraft. Thie enhances safety, flight efficiency, and also makes the experience of flying the C-29 and C-30 very similar. This allows Xuande-Xiphoian pilots qualified on one aircraft type to quickly adapt to the other; in Xuande-Xiphoian service, this allows for a wide range of aircrew exchange experiences, allowing pilots from different branches of the Armed Services to gain experience with each others aircraft and missions. Militarisation of the two platforms makes the most of their civil performance, while adding crucial components for success in contested airspace. Standard modifications to the military platform include:
Additionally, each aircraft with some exceptions can equip different mission packages with the use of roll-on roll-off equipment, which also allows for rapid upgrades to take place. |