More A350-900s to Brazil in 2017.

Brazil's 3rd-biggest airline, Azul Linhas Aereas, unveiled plans to add 11 wide-body jets from Airbus to start service to the United States.

Azul said it would receive 6 Airbus A330-200s in early 2015, when the airline will begin flying overseas, and 5 Airbus A350-900 jets starting in early 2017.

http://www.voeazul.com.br/en/home

Together the planes are worth close to $2 billion at list prices, executives said at a news conference near Azul's hub in Campinas, outside Sao Paulo. The airline has secured leasing deals from industry financier ILFC for 8 of the planes. It is still negotiating the lease or purchase of 3 A330s.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47086222@N03/13985480194/lightbox/

The expansion will transform Azul, which is controlled by JetBlue Airways founder David Neeleman, from a niche regional carrier into an international player directly challenging heavyweight Latam Airlines Group, which controls Brazil's No. 1 carrier, TAM Linhas Aereas (with an order of 27 A350-900).

http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/flights/2014/04/07/the-first-look-inside-the-airbus-a350-xwb/7410327/

The strategy contrasts with Brazil's No.2 airline Gol Linhas Aereas, which started domestic service with a uniform fleet of Boeing 737s and now flies those jets to the United States with a layover to refuel in the Dominican Republic.

http://www.voeazul.com.br/en/home

The leasing arrangement does not directly generate a new sale for Airbus.

Azul also signed a $400 million service contract with Britain's Rolls-Royce, which makes the jet engines that power the Airbus aircraft.

Based on the article “Brazil's Azul adds Airbus jets to start U.S. flights” published in Reuters.

What happens when during an A350 take-off, one engine is cut? Videos

Airbus has been testing for some months with the A350 test-fleet what is called V1 engine cut, which is required for takeoff performance certification.

In this first video (dated on 19/April/2014) we can watch the MSN3 prototype taking off in Toulouse with the MTOW (Maximum Take Off Weight) take off with a single engine, once the other engine is cut during the acceleration. After achieving the Vr, the aircraft lift off and clears a hypothetical 35ft obstacle at V2. Once the aircraft reaches the minimum climb gradient of 2,4%, the second engine is re-lighted.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47086222@N03/13934014045/lightbox/

Click on the picture to watch the video1. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aircrafts/13910893736/in/photostream/

Notice that the right engine is off .

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47086222@N03/13946072671/lightbox/

Notice the Rudder position during the take off

The smoke from the right engine is produced when this second engine is re-started.

This test is the typical failure mode performed in simulator sessions by all line pilots during the standard training.

In this second video (dated on 11/January/2014) we can heard the impressive “bang” produced when the engine is cut during the acceleration phase.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/47086222@N03/11887097453/lightbox/

Click on the picture to watch the video2

New Recaro seat included in the A350 Catalogue.

During the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2014 held in Hamburg, Airbus announced new interior choices for A350 operators based on new seats offered by Recaro and Sogerma.

http://www.recaro-as.com/photo-library.html

Recaro Aircraft Seating will introduce its new generation, modular seat model, the CL3710, in the A350 XWB Catalogue. The CL3710 combines maximum living space and comfort with an exceptionally light weight.

At the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Recaro presented the seat with new features: “We are showing the diversity of the innovative multi-function bridge in the backrest, in which we have integrated USB sockets, a power supply, and a handset,” explained Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer of Recaro Aircraft Seating.

http://www.recaro-as.com/photo-library.html

The seat gets top marks when it comes to its weight. Designing the CL3710, the Recaro team carefully analyzed every single material, technology and manufacturing process to arrive at the lowest possible weight. This effort resulted in a lightweight seat – in fact, the CL3710 is the lightest in its class. At the same time, the CL3710 provides passengers with maximum comfort. Recaro’s entire expertise in ergonomics has flowed into the CL3710. Its new, six- way adjustable headrest, for example, can be better adapted ergonomically to individual passengers, and easily set to accommodate their differing heights. The middle armrests remain completely flush even in recline.

http://www.recaro-as.com/photo-library.html

The living space offered to passengers is absolutely convincing. The CL3710 offers maximum shin clearance even at a seat pitch of 29 inches or more. This is a result of features like the patented high literature pocket, placed above the tray table. Two more innovative details created by the Recaro team add a few decisive millimeters: One of the two beams under the seat structure is positioned slightly forward. This, combined with the ingenious solution of positioning the Inflight Entertainment System box in a space-saving pancake construction under the seat pan, results in an exceptional amount of passenger leg room. 

http://www.recaro-as.com/photo-library.html

Sogerma has also introduced in the same Catalogue it´s new ‘Celeste cradle seat’ which provides premium economy passengers with a high level of comfort at an efficient pitch.

Sogerma's adv.

Based on the press release “Airbus expands the A350 XWB’s Catalogue offering for Economy with Recaro CL3710 seat”

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.

http://events.apex.aero/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/a350_1.jpg

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”