EASA certifies Airbus A350-900 jetliner

The world’s newest and advanced commercial airliner, the Airbus A350-900, received Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agen...

The world’s newest and advanced commercial airliner, the Airbus A350-900, received Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Sept 30. The certification from U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will follow shortly.
The five flight test prototype aircraft clocked more than 2,600 flight test hours under various climatic conditions and flight envelopes to complete the certification on time.

The EASA A350-900 Type Certificate was signed by EASA’s Executive Director, Patrick Ky. The document was handed over to Airbus’ Executive Vice President Engineering, Charles Champion and Airbus A350 XWBChief Engineer, Gordon McConnell.

The Airbus A350-900 is the first Airbus passenger aircraft with a new design to be entirely certified by EASA, from the application by Airbus in 2007 until the type certification.

During the certification programme, EASA has established 16 technical panels composed of 40 engineers and test pilots, covering the full range of the programme from structure to avionics and from cabin safety to flight tests. EASA flight test teams have actively participated in more than 250 hours of flight testing.

“Receiving the A350-900 Type Certification from EASA is a great achievement for Airbus and for all our partners who have contributed to designing, building and certificating this fantastic, new generation aircraft. The A350-900 is now ready to fly from the nest and be enjoyed by airlines and passengers,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. “The A350 XWB embodies many extra innovative technologies which make all the difference in passenger comfort and airline efficiency.”
The A350 XWB Family comprises three versions than can seat from 276 to 369 passengers in a typical three-class seating layout, over a distance of 7,750 nautical miles (14,500 km). It will succeed the A330 and A340 widebody jets, and compete with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and 777 series.
The A350 XWB is the first Airbus aircraft with both fuselage and wing structures made primarily of carbon-fiber- reinforced polymer. Over 70 per cent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials that combine composites (53 per cent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys.

The composite fuselage results in 25 percent less fuel burn as well as easier maintenance. 2014. The aircraft is exclusively powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Airbus has booked over 800 orders from 39 customers for the A350 XWB. The first delivery to launch customer Qatar Airways, which ordered 80 aircraft, is scheduled for the end of 2014.The first A350 XWB prototype flew its maiden flight in June 2013.