Tag Archives: A350-900

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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Airbus today begins passenger testing of the A350 with the help of Air France

Airbus (Toulouse) today (June 2) began actual passenger flight testing on its test Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002). The manufacturer issued this statement:

As preparations continue for the A350 XWB’s first delivery later in 2014, Airbus is ensuring this next-generation widebody jetliner provides an unmatched cabin experience with the initial flight test carrying a full passenger load – which commenced today from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France.

While it is not part of the technical certification campaign, this evaluation – called an Early Long Flight (ELF) – marks an important step toward the A350 XWB’s commercial service entry, allowing Airbus to assess the cabin environment and related systems in a typical operating scenario.

Today’s ELF is being performed by the second of five A350 XWB test aircraft, designated msn 002. Airbus experimental test pilots are at the flight controls, while a crew from Air France tends to the passengers – made up of Airbus employees selected in recognition of strong work performance. The Air France crew was trained to operate the A350 XWB’s cabin – including public address systems, galleys and safety equipment – prior to this test activity.

Depending on weather conditions, the scheduled ELF flight path will take the aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean, as well as much of western and central Europe, before returning to Toulouse. This test aims to replicate a normal commercial flight according to ELF test director Christophe Bertrand, with confirming A350 XWB airport compatibility as one key objective.

Another focus will be observing the behavior of cabin systems. “We’ll be looking at everything from the in-flight entertainment system and overhead storage bins to the air conditioning and lavatories,” explained Bertrand ahead of today’s ELF take-off. “We also want the crew to experiment with their systems and see how they like the crew rest areas.”

Questionnaires to be filled out by passengers and crew will provide valuable feedback on such qualities as noise, air flow, comfort and ergonomics, as well as the A350 XWB’s many new cabin features – including its LED lighting system and in-flight entertainment.

The A350 XWB’s wide fuselage cross-section was designed for an optimum travel experience in all classes of service. Passengers will enjoy more headroom, wider panoramic windows and larger overhead storage space. With a cross-section of 220 inches from armrest to armrest, the jetliner’s cabin provides the widest seats in its category, being five inches larger than the nearest competitor.

In addition to providing the space for unmatched premium first class and business solutions, the A350 XWB allows for high-comfort economy seating in a nine-abreast arrangement, with Airbus’ standard 18-inch seat width.

Top Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002) in the special “Carbon Fiber” livery arrives back at Toulouse on a previous test flight.

Middle Copyright Photo: Airbus. Air France flight attendants serve the volunteer passengers on board F-WWCF.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Airbus. Volunteer passengers are issued boarding passes and flight simulates a long-range airline flight.

How to test an airliner to -40 degrees (C and F) in Florida

Airbus (Toulouse) has completed hot and cold testing of its new Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002) in Florida. The new airliner has completed this extreme weather testing at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida (Florida Panhandle). Airbus issued this statement and photo:

The first-ever testing of an Airbus aircraft at the U.S. Air Force’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory subjected the A350 XWB and its various systems and cabin installations to a full range of conditions for further maturity and operability verifications prior to this new jetliner’s delivery start-up later this year.

Airbus brought A350 XWB msn 2 to the facility at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for more than two weeks of evaluations this month, during which this developmental aircraft was subjected to multiple climatic and humidity settings from a high of 45 degrees C (113 degrees F) to as low as -40 degrees C (-40 degrees F).

Flight test director Philippe Foucault said the A350 XWB’s various systems – from in-flight entertainment and air conditioning to its galleys, water and waste systems – were validated while the A350 XWB was enclosed in the laboratory’s large hangar. Testing included operations with the engines running, which required the A350 XWB to be securely chained in place.

The A350 XWB is one the largest aircraft ever tested at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory, requiring the teams to start their preparations six months prior to arrival. “This is a one-of-a-kind tool, and the laboratory’s operators are masters of it,” Foucault said. “They made everything seem possible.”

David Neeleman to bring Azul to the United States with Airbus A330-200s and new A350-900s

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S. A. (Azul Brazilian Airlines) (Sao Paulo), founded by David Neeleman of JetBlue Airways (New York) and Morris Air (Salt Lake City), is coming back to the United States (in a way).

The fast growing airline has ordered a new fleet of Airbus A330-200 and A350-900 aircraft for daily service
to and from United States gateways.

Azul expects to debut its first international flights by early 2015. The U.S. flights will be served from Azul’s brand new $1.5 billion terminal at Sao Paulo (Campinas), strategically located 50 minutes from downtown Sao Paulo.

Campinas is Brazil’s largest airline hub offering connections to 104 domestic cities. Azul’s U.S. gateways will be announced later this year.

Routes from Campinas Airport:

Azul will operate the new international routes with a fleet of 11 wide-body Airbus aircraft. The airline has ordered five Airbus A350-900 with deliveries beginning in early 2017. In addition, six Airbus A330-200 will be used to launch service in early 2015. The new aircraft will be leased from ILFC and will be equipped with Rolls-Royce engines. Azul’s fleet currently comprises of 80 Embraer and 56 ATR aircraft.

With less than six years of operations, Azul already has flown more than 85 million customers and changed the face of air travel in the Brazilian market since its first flight, on December 15, 2008.

The foundation of the airline was built around the Brazilian made Embraer E-jet. From that foundation, Azul has expanded to 880 daily flights, which represents one-third of Brazil’s daily departures. The airline currently operates a fleet of 136 aircraft and employs more than 10.000 people.

Azul:

Airbus tests and unveils A350 cabin concepts

Airbus (Toulouse) has unveiled the A350 XWB’s development cabin interior installed on board flight-test aircraft msn 002 at the Airbus site in Hamburg. Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002), which made its first flight on February 26, 2014, is the first of two test aircraft fitted with a passenger interior and is part of the growing A350 XWB development fleet. Intensive cabin flight and ground tests have already been performed during a two-week stay of the aircraft in Hamburg in mid-March 2014. The cabins of all Airbus aircraft are developed by the engineering and research teams based there. The new interior demonstrates how the aircraft’s “eXtra-wide” fuselage will soon offer passengers even more personal space, flexibility and comfort in business and economy classes, and especially, a wide 18” seat in 9-abreast economy.

A350 XWB msn 002 will be tasked with conducting a series of “Early Long Flights” with its cabin accommodating real passengers. ‘Hot and cold’ cabin trials will also feature in its busy test programme, which also includes validation of the advanced fourth-generation in-flight-entertainment (IFE). F-WWCF (msn 002) will soon be joined by the second cabin-equipped A350 msn 005, which will be tasked with route-proving flights around the world to the major destinations it will serve.

Together with the unveiling of the first A350 XWB test cabin, Airbus also inaugurated its dedicated A350 XWB Customer Definition Centre (CDC) where airline customers and operators will follow an efficient cabin design and definition process allowing shorter lead times. The CDC, which features individually tailored zones, enables the customers to see, feel and test the real catalogue solutions presented in a showroom environment, and in close cooperation with the risk-sharing partners. The centre also incorporates the innovative electronic “A350 XWB Configurator” – a virtual environment and modelling tool for accelerated cabin specification and visualisation. In short, the CDC is a “one-stop-shop” for airlines to establish their own A350 XWB cabin definition efficiently in one place.

Notable passenger-pleasing features of the A350 XWB cabin which customers can evaluate for real in the CDC include the full cabin LED lighting with 16.7 million possible colors for customized ambiances and scenarios, or the various galley options. They will also be able to experience the wide array of fourth-generation IFE consoles and high-definition display options – for which the associated electronics boxes and connections are smartly integrated and combined with the aircraft’s unique flat floor architecture, thus freeing-up even more personal space, under the seat.

Visitors to the CDC’s full-scale mock-ups will also appreciate the aircraft’s near-vertical sidewalls, adding eXtra spaciousness to the cabin and the large overhead stowage bins to match growing hand-luggage volume requirements.

The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions covering a wide range of capacities from 276 to 369 seats. This family, whose 221-inch wide internal cabin cross-section is optimized for full long-range passenger comfort in all classes, brings a 25 percent step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category. At the end of March 2014, the A350 XWB had won 812 orders from 39 customers worldwide.

Top Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Test aircraft Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF (msn 002) in the “Carbon Fiber” livery arrives back at Toulouse.

Airbus sets new records for orders and deliveries in 2013

Airbus (Toulouse) has issued this report for 2013:

Airbus exceeded commercial targets in 2013, achieving a new record of 626 aircraft deliveries (493 A320 Family aircraft, 108 A330, 25 A380) to 93 customers (15 new) and a new industry record of 1619 gross orders (377 A320ceo, 876 A320neo, 77 A330, 239 A350 XWB, 50 A380) beating the previous record in 2011 by 11 aircraft. The year was also Airbus’ most valuable gross order intake (List price $240.5 billion US). By year end, the backlog had climbed to an industry wide record of 5,559 aircraft, valued at $809 billion US at list prices, or eight years production.

Aircraft deliveries in 2013 were up for the 12^th year in a row, beating the initial target and surpassing the previous record set in 2012 (588) by an additional 38 aircraft.

At 2013 year end, Airbus commanded 51 per cent gross market share (aircraft above 100 seats). Decisions by customers to move towards larger aircraft in all segments (A321, A330-300, A350-1000 and A380) is having a positive result on revenues, complementing Airbus’ lead in both single aisle and widebody aircraft markets.

During the year the A320neo surpassed 2,600 orders while strong sales of the A320ceo continued with more than 1,000 sold since the NEO was launched. The A350 XWB had significant commercial breakthroughs especially with a first order from Japan, and the A380 coninued to dominate the Very Large Aircraft market with 50 new orders.

Signalling Airbus’ successful transformation to a more agile company, 2013 was also notable for the A350 XWB first flight. Test flights are progressing well with two aircraft having accomplished over 800 flight hours. Certification is targeted for Q3 and Entry Into Service for Q4 2014. The A330 new longer range and regional variants were launched, A330 production reached a new record high of rate 10 per month and single aisle remained stable at rate 42.

In 2013, Airbus Military delivered 31 aircraft including seven A330 MRTT and two A400M for the French Air Force, confirming the programme is well back on track.

Copyright Photo: Olivier Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. Brand new test aircraft, Airbus A350-941 F-WXWB (msn 001), approaches the runway for landing at Toulouse.

Airbus rolls out its third Airbus A350, this one in a “Carbon” signature livery

Airbus (Toulouse) yesterday (January 2) rolled-out its third A350 XWB flight-test aircraft (msn 002) from the paint shop in Toulouse.

The new type is expected to enter service in the fourth quarter of this year.

The pictured Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF wears a distinctive “Carbon” signature livery to reflect its primary construction from advanced materials. This aircraft is also the first of two A350 flight test aircraft to be equipped with a full passenger cabin interior.

F-WWCF will join the A350 XWB flight test fleet in the coming weeks and will be the first A350 to transport passengers when it undertakes the Early Long Flights (ELF) later in the year.

Composite materials in Airbus aircraft have seen a step-by-step introduction that started with the A310 which was first rolled-out in February 1982. Benefiting from over 30 years of composite material experience, 53% of the A350 XWB’s airframe is made-up of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) including Airbus’ first carbon-fiber fuselage.

American Airlines switches to the larger Airbus A350-900

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) under the new (old US Airways) management led by CEO Doug Parker, has revised the US Airways (Phoenix) pending order for 22 new Airbus A350s. The order, which was originally placed for 18 A350-800s and four A350-900s, will now be 22 of the larger A350-900s for American Airlines according to a filing and the Dallas News. The aircraft will begin to arrive in 2017.

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Copyright Photo: Eurospot/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A350-941 F-WXWB (msn 001) climbs away from Toulouse on a test flight.

American Airlines:

US Airways:

Kuwait Airways signs MOU for 10 Airbus A350-900 and 15 A320neo aircraft

Kuwait Airways (Kuwait City), the National airline of Kuwait, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to buy ten Airbus A350-900 and fifteen A320neo Family aircraft. The order is part of Kuwait Airways’ fleet renewal strategy. The carrier already operates three Airbus A320s, three A310s, five A300s and four A340s.

Image: Airbus.

Kuwait Airways:

Newcomer Libyan Wings orders three Airbus A350-900s and four A320neos

Libyan Wings, the newly launched Tripoli based airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for three A350-900s and four A320neo’s. The carrier is building up its fleet with aircraft orders announced at the 2013 Dubai Airshow. Libyan Wings will start operations for passenger charter and freight from the beginning of 2014.