A346 routes
 

anyone know where they'll be flying?
any chance on the YVR run?

Latest word is that they'll be deployed on regional routes first (SIN, NRT,etc) to train up all the pilots, then they'll be deployed on the long-haul routes.

Do we have a timeframe yet as to when CX will get them?

Wasn't the 346 certified as the same type as the 343 (despite being so much longer it apparently has identical flight characteristics to the A340-300 thanks to the magic of flight computer software)? What training is required for the pilots? Or is this a CX pilots union rule? I only ask because Airbus makes a big point out of the commonality (and no training required) ... while the pilots are "working to rule".

number 6, the -600 is very similar to the -300, but pilots still have to go thru a short training period, more like a "getting used to it" sort of thing. One big difference is the taxying of this a/c - its the longest aircraft in the world at over 75m (I believe) and can be quite different to the -300. Similar to the 777, the -300 has the same cockpit, flight characteristics, etc as the -200, but the the sheer length of it requires some getting used to during taxying and the flare during the landing, etc....

As a comparison, for a pilot to convert onto another a/c which don't have the same rating, eg 777 to 747, they have to go thru up to 2 months of training, whereas the Airbus conversions can be done in a few days. And that's Airbus' BIG selling point.

November is the latest info which I have, but you never know, AC has just announced that they're getting their 345s 6 months later (from Nov 02 pushed back to APR 03).

Hi Number6,

All airbus planes have cockpit commonality indeed.
This means they can be trained to other planes very quickly.

It does however not mean that a A318 flies the same as an A340-600 :-)

CX has 773 too.
773 is only a tad shorter than 346

your point being.......

Different aircraft manufacturer!
1 is Boeing. Other is Airbus.
1 has 2 engines. Other has 4.
The centre of gravity is diff for both planes.

Its like drivers requiring training from driving a bus and a truck.

Proving routes for new aircraft are always close to home to deal with maintenance teething issues - usually they will have a mechanic fly aboard for the first 30-45 days and it is an easy matter to deploy skilled maintenance at NRT during the rollout period.