Airbus Rolls Out Third A350XWB Prototype With Composite Livery

Airbus rolled-out its third A350 XWB flight-test prototype aircraft, MSN2, from its paint shop in Toulouse,France marking yet anot...

Airbus rolled-out its third A350 XWB flight-test prototype aircraft, MSN2, from its paint shop in Toulouse,France marking yet another successful milestone on the path to entry-into-service in Q4 2014. 

MSN2 features 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.

MSN2 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-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) including Airbus’ first carbon-fibre fuselage.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts and up to 440 in eco-efficient leisure cabin.A350 completed its maiden flight on June 14 2013.The new Family will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. The A350 XWB has already won 817 firm orders from 37 customers worldwide.