Airbus has started final assembly of the first A350-1000 on schedule at the A350 XWB Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. Th...
Airbus has started final assembly of the first A350-1000 on schedule at the A350 XWB Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France.
The final assembly start-up for the new-generation jetliner family’s longest-fuselage member was kicked off this week, as per planning, in parallel with the baseline A350-900 version’s continued production ramp-up to meet market demand.
This A350-1000, one of three flight test aircraft to be built, will take to the skies for its maiden flight before the end of 2016. A350-1000 deliveries will start in mid-2017.
To facilitate the concurrent A350-900 and A350-1000 production, Airbus has introduced three new “stations” in its Toulouse, France A350 XWB final assembly line – where A350-900 versions have been assembled since 2012.
The additions are a third Station 50 (where the forward, centre and aft fuselage sections are joined, along with nose landing gear installation); a fourth Station 40 (for wing-fuselage junction and tailplane installation); and a fourth Station 30 (for ground testing and cabin furnishing activities).
To save time and optimise the A350 assembly process, Airbus starts the cabin furnishing and first electrical power-on in parallel to the structural assembly work.
After this stage is completed, the aircraft continues through the FAL process, with final structural activities, ground tests, painting, cabin & cockpit completion and engines installation before being transferred to the flight test centre.
Underscoring the high degree of commonality between the A350-900 and A350-1000, all final assembly line stations – including the newest three – can accommodate both aircraft types.
As a further measure for accommodating concurrent A350-900 and A350-1000 production, Airbus is increasing the number of A350 XWB final assembly line employees from its current level – approximately 1,500 – to some 1,900 by 2018.
The A350-1000 can accommodate a total of 366 passengers in a typical three-class configuration, and integrates Airbus’ standard comfort in economy class with 18-inch-wide seats at nine-abreast.
Meanwhile, the aircraft’s range of 7,950 nm. represents a significant revenue-generating advantage for operators. To date, the A350-1000 has received 181 orders from 10 customers around the globe.
While having a very high degree of commonality with the A350-900, the A350-1000, measuring nearly 74 meters from nose to tail, is the longest fuselage version of Airbus’ all-new family of wide body jetliners.
The A350-1000 will be powered by Rolls Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the most powerful engine developed for an Airbus aircraft.
Commercial service entry of the A350-1000 is targeted for mid-2017 with Qatar Airways, which also was the A350-900 version’s launch customer.
The final assembly start-up for the new-generation jetliner family’s longest-fuselage member was kicked off this week, as per planning, in parallel with the baseline A350-900 version’s continued production ramp-up to meet market demand.
This A350-1000, one of three flight test aircraft to be built, will take to the skies for its maiden flight before the end of 2016. A350-1000 deliveries will start in mid-2017.
To facilitate the concurrent A350-900 and A350-1000 production, Airbus has introduced three new “stations” in its Toulouse, France A350 XWB final assembly line – where A350-900 versions have been assembled since 2012.
The additions are a third Station 50 (where the forward, centre and aft fuselage sections are joined, along with nose landing gear installation); a fourth Station 40 (for wing-fuselage junction and tailplane installation); and a fourth Station 30 (for ground testing and cabin furnishing activities).
To save time and optimise the A350 assembly process, Airbus starts the cabin furnishing and first electrical power-on in parallel to the structural assembly work.
After this stage is completed, the aircraft continues through the FAL process, with final structural activities, ground tests, painting, cabin & cockpit completion and engines installation before being transferred to the flight test centre.
Underscoring the high degree of commonality between the A350-900 and A350-1000, all final assembly line stations – including the newest three – can accommodate both aircraft types.
As a further measure for accommodating concurrent A350-900 and A350-1000 production, Airbus is increasing the number of A350 XWB final assembly line employees from its current level – approximately 1,500 – to some 1,900 by 2018.
The A350-1000 can accommodate a total of 366 passengers in a typical three-class configuration, and integrates Airbus’ standard comfort in economy class with 18-inch-wide seats at nine-abreast.
Meanwhile, the aircraft’s range of 7,950 nm. represents a significant revenue-generating advantage for operators. To date, the A350-1000 has received 181 orders from 10 customers around the globe.
While having a very high degree of commonality with the A350-900, the A350-1000, measuring nearly 74 meters from nose to tail, is the longest fuselage version of Airbus’ all-new family of wide body jetliners.
Commercial service entry of the A350-1000 is targeted for mid-2017 with Qatar Airways, which also was the A350-900 version’s launch customer.
