Big day for former Broughton apprentice as first US assembled Airbus takes flight

The first Airbus aircraft produced in a U.S. manufacturing facility completed a successful maiden flight today – and it was a big moment for former Airbus Broughton apprentice Daryl Taylor.

Daryl who is now the Vice President and General Manager of Airbus’ newest final assembly facility in Mobile Alabama, watched the A321 jet takeoff from the Mobile Aeroplex.

The aircraft, which is set to join the Jet Blue fleet, performed a series of test sequences landing safely back at Mobile after a three and a half hour test flight.

More than 300 employees who work at the new Alabama facility cheered as the plane took-off.

“We’ve come to an exciting milestone in the production of any aircraft, but this one is particularly special,” said former Wrexham resident Daryl.

“The Mobile team has worked hard, and I’m proud that their skill and talent have brought us to this moment.

“Together we are fulfilling the promise we made to the city of Mobile, the state of Alabama, and the Gulf Coast region—we’re creating a new center of commercial aircraft production in the U.S. This is just the first of many aircraft to come.”

Following the maiden flight, the aircraft will go through a few more weeks in final production before being delivered to JetBlue.

An A321 for JetBlue – which is the first A320 Family aircraft produced at Airbus’ U.S. Manufacturing Facility – performs its maiden flight from Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in Mobile, Alabama. Tests were conducted on systems, engines and structure performance during the 3-hour, 26-minute flight

Daryl was a certified engineering apprentice with Airbus in the UK from 1989 to 1994, and obtained his Higher National Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering at Kelsterton College, which is now part of Coleg Cambria.

Now a permanent US resident where he lives with his wife and three children, his career has taken him to a number of high-profile aerospace companies before securing the lead role with the company’s first ever manufacturing facility in the US.