A350 XWB programme sees important milestones

The A350 XWB has delivered on several programme milestones in the past few months

The A350 XWB, Airbus’ all new family of mid-size widebody airliners, has delivered on several programme milestones in the past few months.

In late June, Airbus completed the first phase of the A350XWB power plant Flight Test Bed (FTB) campaign, and confirmed positive results. The campaign covered the entire A350XWB power plant, Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine, Goodrich nacelle and all related aircraft systems. Engine and system behaviors were satisfactory, no reliability issues were encountered and engine handling was excellent. In flight performance measurements on the engine confirmed those advised by Rolls-Royce from test bed results, showing the engine is on track to deliver its specified fuel consumption. Phase 2 of the FTB campaign will start later this summer with the purpose of consolidate results obtained during Phase 1, perform some fine-tuning and under take the hot weather campaign.

Previously, Airbus delivered the aft fuselage for the A350 XWB static test airframe to the final assembly line in Toulouse. This final section of the fuselage will be assembled with the front and centre fuselage sections which were recently joined in April. The 20-metre long carbon fibre aft fuselage is made up of the rear fuselage barrel, produced at an Airbus Getafe plant in Spain, two lateral aft fuselage panels made by Premium AEROTEC of Germany, plus the upper and lower aft fuselage panels manufactured by Airbus in Stade, Germany.

Since April, the final assembly of the first A350 XWB has been underway at a brand new final assembly line in Toulouse. The centre fuselage was delivered to Toulouse in early April 2012. The front fuselage was previously delivered to the A350 XWB final assembly line in December 2011.

This first A350 XWB airframe will be used for the static structural tests that all new aircraft undergo as part of their certification process. The assembly of the first flying A350 XWB, MSN1, will start during summer.

These highly-efficient aircraft bring together the latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies to provide up to 25 percent better fuel efficiency and operating costs compared to current aircraft in the same size category. Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminum alloys, resulting in lower fuel burn as well as easier maintenance. The A350 XWB benefits from Airbus’ high level of expertise in incorporating composite material into its aircraft.

So far, there have been 548 firm orders from 34 customers for the A350 XWB, including a total of 37 from Latin America’s TAM and Synergy.

For more information contact:
Liana Sucar-Hamel
Communications Manager, Airbus Latin America & Caribbean
liana.Sucar-Hamel@airbus.com