January 2025 – The 30th Gordon Corps Lecture of RAeS Toulouse “Written in the Stars: the story of the A321XLR Certification Flight Test Campaign” presented by Jim Fawcett & Mark Lewis, Lead Flight Test Engineer & Experimental Test Pilot at Airbus.

We were also honored to welcome David CHINN, FRAeS, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society Corporate, as our distinguished guest for this event.

This lecture focuses on the modifications made to the Airbus A321XLR and the flight testing required to achieve CS25 certification. Detailed explanations of these tests are complemented by behind-the-scenes stories, highlighting the Airbus Flight Test Team’s approach. Despite facing significant technical and non-technical challenges, the team showcased exceptional technical skills, innovative problem-solving, and a strong commitment to safety. Their efforts ensured that the A321XLR met and often exceeded the strict CS25 certification standards, setting a new benchmark for long-range single-aisle aircraft, which was recognized by EASA post-certification.