How will be the extreme climatic tests that A350 will pass next month in Florida?

The A350 will undergo another round of extreme temperature tests next month, but this time it will use the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

http://cseries.com/category/videos/#/category/photos

As Bombardier´s second CSeries flight test vehicle (FTV2) is currently performing similar tests in the same facility -Eglin Air Force Base, Florida- we know some interesting details about the extreme climatic tests and the historic McKinley Climatic Laboratory.

http://cseries.com/category/videos/#/category/photos

The A350 prototype (should be the MSN2 with cabin equipped) could undergo a series of tests to validate its performance under hot, arid, and extreme cold weather conditions.

http://cseries.com/category/videos/#/category/photos

As an example of the number and range of tests, C-Series FTV2 is being undertaken until May with a team of 60 people: “from a freezing -54 °C (-65.2 F) to a scorching 53 °C (127.4 F), this 3-phased experiment will assess the performance of engine start-ups and deploying other systems under environmental extremes.”

http://cseries.com/category/videos/#/category/photos

• The 1st phase: FTV2 is left overnight in a subzero climatic chamber and started up in the morning. Special warm up procedures to be used by operators under extreme cold conditions will be measured along with the auxiliary power unit (APU), and maximum power engine run-ups performed to ensure correct functionality.

http://cseries.com/category/videos/#/category/photos

• The 2nd phase: Assessment of APU and engine operations in heavy snow; freezing rain and fog conditions; along with aircraft performance during ice buildup.

http://cseries.com/category/videos/#/category/photos

• The 3rd phase: Operations under varying degrees of hot weather. Light panels will be installed within the climatic chamber to simulate the sun. Subsequently, the efficiency of the aircraft’s environmental control system (ECS), or air conditioning system used to cool the cabin in desert climates will be confirmed.

http://cseries.com/category/videos/#/category/photos

Other tests that could occur on site during extreme temperatures include emergency slide deployment, landing gear swings and refuel/defuel tests.

All pictures in this post: © Bombardier

Based on the press release of Bombardier “FTV2 is hot stuff as it keeps cool in Florida!”

Duqueine Composites, the example of a small company that has grown once abroad the A350 XWB

"Airbus had invited all its suppliers to attend the first flight of A 350. When I saw the A350 taking off, I felt a sense of pride. I saw my parts & components flying." Gilles Duqueine will not easily forget 14/June/2013, when the A350 took off for the first time from the airport of Toulouse.

In 2009 everything changed for Duqueine Composites; this small company of 80 people based in Massieux, Rhône-Alpes, achieved a breakthrough at Airbus by winning 4 "work-packages" on the new A350 XWB. "The biggest package is the supply of fuselage frames”.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47086222@N03/13620982484/lightbox/

Once aboard A350, the company must take its commitments on rate, time, quality and costs. It invested and built a new plant of 14,000 m2 to ­Civrieux, dedicated to A350. "Currently, we manufacture 5 frames per day. In 2014-2015, we will deliver 3 to 4 aircraft per month. In 2016-2017, we have to quadruple the rate to deliver 13 aircraft per month", said Gilles Duqueine.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/81091669@N04/13697748615/lightbox/

Duqueine Composites, in 5 years, has multiplied by 6 their sales and has created many jobs; they are now 750 employees.

Based on the article “Airbus et Boeing dynamisentles PME de l'aéronautique” published in  Le Figaro.

Concern with US and European sanctions to Russia and its effect on A350´s titanium supply.

U.S. and European sanctions on certain Russians have not impinged on Western aerospace and defense industrial bases to any great extent, but possible reactions down the road do have analysts and executives concerned.

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To be sure, several stress points—starting with titanium supplies to manufacturers and some coproduction work—emerged quickly last month as President Barack Obama and European leaders announced travel and banking restrictions against a cadre of Russian and Ukrainian provocateurs of the former's annexation of the latter's Crimean Peninsula.

http://rostec.ru/de/investors/partnership/300

Moreover, while Russian arms-exports, energy and finance sectors have been announced by U.S. officials as next-in-line for Western punitive action, it all depends on whether Moscow continues excursions into eastern Ukraine. Meantime, the sanctions that are in play are not targeted nor are they sufficient to disrupt the West's A&D industry yet because they are aimed at individuals.

http://www.vsmpo.ru/en/news/181/Airbus_i_Korporacija_VSMPOAVISMA_proveli_peregovori_ob_ukreplenii_sotrudnichestva

“In severity of punishment, this has been fairly light,” says Tom Captain, Global A&D Leader for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. “It looks a lot like window dressing.”  Capital Alpha Partners Director Byron Callan agrees, calling actions to date “symbolic” or even “irrelevant” for industry.

Indeed, titanium supply constrictions could become a sore point for companies such as Airbus if more sanctions are applied, several analysts note, meaning at least higher prices for the element. “That is going to be a key concern,” says Richard Aboulafia, vice president for analysis at the Teal Group.

http://www.icandy.pw/News/A350-Launch-Customer/i-vG5rqGG/A

VSMPO-Avisma is a key titanium supplier to Airbus, delivering today over 60% of the company’s demand for this material, as a major supplier of titanium forgings for the main landing gear on the A350 XWB and A380.

Russia remains a key Airbus strategic partner for both commercial and industrial reasons. Aeroflot will became the first Russian airline to operate the A350 XWB Family (it has an order for 18 A350-800 and 4 A350-900) and currently operates the biggest Airbus fleet in the region, with over 100 aircraft.

http://www.vsmpo.ru/en/news/181/Airbus_i_Korporacija_VSMPOAVISMA_proveli_peregovori_ob_ukreplenii_sotrudnichestva

Boeing has forecast it would spend $27 billion on Russian titanium supply, design engineering and services “over the next decades.” In July 2009, Boeing and VSMPO-Avisma started a 50/50 joint venture, Ural Boeing Manufacturing (UBM) in Verkhnyaya Salda. Last November Boeing and Russia state-controlled Rostekhnologii (Rostec) agreed to expand their joint venture with a second UBM production facility in the so-called Titanium Valley there. Russian representatives reportedly said last month that the arrangement is proceeding with no disruptions.

Based on the article “Russia Sanctions Not Hurting Industry Yet” published in Aviation Week

A350 Customer Definition Centre: “one-stop-shop” for airlines to choose their cabin solutions.

Airbus has inaugurated its dedicated A350 XWB Customer Definition Centre (CDC) where airline customers and operators will follow an efficient cabin design and definition process allowing shorter lead times. The CDC, which features individually tailored zones, enables the customers to see, feel and test the real catalogue solutions presented in a showroom environment, and in close cooperation with the risk-sharing partners.

http://www.airbus.com/galleries/photo-gallery(© Airbus Group)

The centre also incorporates the innovative electronic “A350 XWB Configurator” – a virtual environment and modeling tool for accelerated cabin specification and visualization.

Source: Airbus (© Airbus Group)

In short, the CDC is a “one-stop-shop” for airlines to establish their own A350 XWB cabin definition efficiently in one place.

Source: Airbus(© Airbus Group)

The Design Studio is a dedicated space for customers, designers and suppliers to consider and select materials, colors and textures. The variety of materials, fabrics and colors is clustered into seven representative ‘trim and finish’ design themes, such as Smart Tech, New Luxury or Pure Indulgence. These were developed by Airbus following worldwide market and trend research.

Source: Airbus(© Airbus Group)

The CDC's operational pilot phase was launched about 15 months ago and 14 selected airlines have used the unique showroom so far. 7 customers have already completed their cabin design freeze. 

Based on the press release “Airbus inaugurates A350 XWB Customer Definition Centre in Hamburg”

Airbus updates the control over its subsidiary Aerolia with new CEO and new Head of Méaulte plant.

Current Aerolia CEO Christian Cornille will be appointed EVP - Industry of Airbus Helicopters. For the last 5 years, Christian Cornille has been leading Aerolia, a subsidiary of Airbus Group, during which time its revenues increased by 69% to € 1.140 billion.

(© Airbus Group)

Christian Cornille will be replaced at Aerolia by Cédric Gautier. Cédric Gautier (53), was nominated Senior Vice President, Head of the A400M program in Airbus in 2011 where he achieved the civil and military certifications and first aircraft deliveries to the customers in 2013.

 Before joining the A400M program, Cédric Gautier led EADS Sogerma as President and CEO for 4 years implementing an extensive restructuring plan and succeeding in the turn-around of the company. His wide experience in the aerospace sector will allow Aerolia to continue its strategy of profitable growth and open up new markets in the future

In parallel, Thierry Rouault has taken leadership of Aerolia’s Méaulte site with the objective of supporting site developments, its ramp-up on series and new programs.

“After more than 7 years in Toulouse as Head of Program Centre Fuselage A350 at Airbus I chose to complement this extraordinary adventure of the development of a new aircraft with a challenge as ambitious as my coming back to Méaulte as the head of this site. Méaulte is a site I know well and love” he said

Based on the article “Thierry Rouault prend la direction du site d’Aerolia à Méaulte” published in Le Journal D'Aviation

A350 Cathay's new business class: designed by Porsche.

Cathay Pacific will launch all-new designs for its business class and economy seats on its Airbus A350 fleet from early 2016.

Business Class in MSN2

http://blogs.stern.de/followme/so-sieht-der-neue-airbus-a350-von-innen-aus/

The airline has hired Porsche Design Group to craft its new business class seats, codenamed ‘FB3’ as it will be Cathay’s third flatbed business class.

http://www.aviation-friends-hamburg-forum.de/showthread.php?tid=8314

Also on the roster is London-based Tangerine, perhaps best known as the former home of Apple design guru Jony Ive, which is responsible for Cathay's new economy seats. In addition Tangerine has won a ‘tip to tail’ brief to design the cabin interiors for all three classes on the Airbus A350.

http://blogs.stern.de/followme/so-sieht-der-neue-airbus-a350-von-innen-aus/

The first of Cathay Pacific’s order of 20 A350-900 is slated for delivery in early 2016 and will sport a 3-class configuration with business, premium economy and economy class.

Based on the article “Cathay Pacific confirms next-gen business class for Airbus A350” published in Australian Business Traveller.

Lufthansa Technik preparing for A350 R-R powerplant maintenance support.

Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is in discussions with Rolls-Royce over engine maintenance, repair and overhaul operations for the A350 fleet.  Last September Lufthansa placed firm orders for 25 A350-900s which are to be delivered from 2016.

Source: Rolls Royce

The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB is the unique engine for the A350 XWB. LHT is planning to build up "comprehensive MRO services" for the A350 for both the parent airline and third-party customers, chief executive August Wilhelm Henningsen said during the results briefing in Hamburg on 18/March.

Source: N3 Engine Overhaul Services

The UK manufacturer and LHT already have a joint venture engine shop. N3 Engine Overhaul Services, is situated in Arnstadt, Thuringia, near Erfurt (germany), where it has 41,000 square meters of floor space and a workforce of 480 and supports Trent 500, 700 and 900 powerplants (for A340, A330 and A380 respectively). 

http://www.aviation-friends-hamburg-forum.de/showthread.php?tid=8314

The partners are evaluating whether to introduce the Trent XWB to the facility. However, as yet, no decision has been made, said Henningsen. 

Source: Rolls Royce

A central question is whether the N3 is large enough to accommodate the expected volume of the Trent XWB support work. The greenfield facility is already utilizing about half its capacity of about 200 engines a year, N3 said in December 2013.

Source: N3 Engine Overhaul Services

The site consists of a 25,000 square meters production facility and the biggest and most modern engine test facility in the world, 110 meters long and with a cross-section of 14m x 14m.


Based on the article "LHT lines up new engine capabilities" published in Flight International.