An update report on the testing program of the new Airbus A350

Airbus’ (Toulouse) flight test department is moving at full-speed with all five A350-900 developmental aircraft now flying – a fleet that has accumulated more than 2,100 total hours in over 500 flights. Among the key recent achievements of the program are crosswind tests with msn 001 in Keflavik, Iceland (above); msn 003’s hot-weather test campaign in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; the first flight of msn 005 and two Early Long Flights (ELFs) performed by msn 002. Remaining certification tests include route-proving and “maximum energy” rejected takeoff evaluations, which will help pave the way for the A350 XWB’s planned certification in the third quarter of 2014 and the subsequent delivery of the first customer aircraft to Qatar Airways before year-end.

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