The Airbus A350 XWB MSN1 has performed well during the first 92 flight test hours already achieved since its maiden flight on June 14. The A350 XWB flight test campaign will total around 2 500 flight hours with a fleet of five development aircraft, according to a press release from the plane makers.
Airbus is proposing the A350XWB to SA Airways (SAA) for its future long haul fleet requirement.
African carriers which have already placed orders for the A350XWB include Ethiopian Airlines, Afriqiyah and Libyan Airlines.
In addition, Pretoria-Based Aerosud and Cape Town-based Cobham SA are both suppliers to the A350XWB programme. Aerosud manufactures wing components and frame clips which secure the fuselage skins, while Cobham SA manufactures the satellite communications antennae for the aircraft.
Entry into commercial service of the first customer aircraft is scheduled for the second half of 2014. To date, Airbus has recorded 678 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 34 customers worldwide.
There are three versions of the A350 XWB. In a typical three-class configuration, the A350-800 will accommodate 270 passengers, the A350-900 314 and the A350-1000 350.
For additional payload and range, the A350-1000 will be equipped with more powerful Trent XWB engines. Their extra thrust – together with an increased aircraft take-off weight capability of 308 tonnes – will enable operators to fly the A350-1000 some 400 nautical miles further with a full load of 350 passengers, or to carry approximately 4.5 extra tonnes of payload at a given range.
Maximum cargo capacity for the A350-800 is 28 LD3 or 9 pallets, for the 900 36 LD3 or 11 pallets, for the 1000 44 LD3 or 14 pallets, and for the freighter version 90 tonnes.
