Rolls-Royce is flying the flag for Britain in the Middle East this week.

The aero engine firm, which employs more than 1,000 at its Barnoldswick site, has a major presence at the Dubai 2000 air show.

And the firm has announced at the show that the Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engine, which will go into service with Emirates on the Airbus Industrie A340-500 in 2002, will shortly begin simulated altitude testing.

The eight-week series of tests at the UK government's specialist facility at Pyestock will evaluate handling and performance characteristics across a range of flight conditions at altitudes from 20,000 to 40,000 feet.

The Trent 500 made its test debut ahead of schedule in May.

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