Airbus’ new A350-1000 – the longest-fuselage version of its A350 XWB jetliner – marked another certification milestone by performing tes...
Airbus’ new A350-1000 – the longest-fuselage version of its A350 XWB jetliner – marked another certification milestone by performing tests that validated the aircraft’s ability to operate from waterlogged runways and taxiways.
Performed this month at the Istres Air Force Base in southern France, the A350-1000 was purposely run along an inundated surface to demonstrate that large quantities of water or slush can be safely ingested by the twin-jet’s turbofan engines and its turbine-powered auxiliary power unit during takeoff, landing and taxi.
For these tests, crewmembers progressively accelerated the aircraft through the standing water five times at speeds from 80 to 140 knots, with the A350-1000 performing as expected.
The trials were documented with video and photo coverage, as well as the first use of a camera-equipped drone to provide airborne views of the test runs.
Last week, an A350-1000, MSN065 test aircraft, fitted with cabin, has completed a series of noise tests in Moron, south of Spain, between March 27 and April 5th, as part of its type certification flight test campaign, paving the way for entry into service on schedule before year end.
Three A350-1000 flight test aircraft (MSN059, MSN071 and MSN065) are flying in the intensive Type Certification campaign which is progressing as planned.
As well as having a longer fuselage to accommodate 40 more passengers than the A350-900, the A350-1000 also features a modified wing trailing-edge, new six-wheel main landing gears and more powerful Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
The A350-1000 embodies all of the fuel efficiency and ‘Airspace’ cabin comfort of the original A350-900 – but with extra size perfectly tailored for our customers on some of their busiest long-haul routes. To date 12 customers from five continents have placed orders for a total of 211 A350-1000s.
