The MSN5 is the fifth flight-test prototype for the Type Certification Campaign.
Cabin fitted, it was airborne on 20/June.
All pictures are videocaptures ©Airbus
25 June 2014
A350 MSN5's First Flight video.
Airbus has released this video of the MSN5's First Flight where the FF preparation is shown.
The MSN5 is the fifth flight-test prototype for the Type Certification Campaign.
Cabin fitted, it was airborne on 20/June.
The MSN5 is the fifth flight-test prototype for the Type Certification Campaign.
Cabin fitted, it was airborne on 20/June.
24 June 2014
A350 XWB family-strategy and the A330neo. Will the A350-900 orders decrease if the A330neo is launched?
Vero Venia analizes in his blog what he called the “A350XWB strategy” now that the rumours about a possible A330neo launch become stronger everyday.
Several years ago Airbus was promoting its A350XWB as the unique family that fulfils all kind of airlines’ requirements for the twin aisle market segment. Basically, they say that Boeing needs the 787 and the 777 to cover the same market.
The A350XWB strategy was set in 2006 and has been in execution since that date.
In simple words, if launched, the A330neo is clearly an admission of the failure of the famous “A350XWB strategy”. Finally, Airbus will admit that you can’t cover the twin aisle market with only one aircraft family.
“It does not mean that the A350 cannot sell well, but the overall strategy has just been proved to be a failure.”
Vero Venia said: “Deep inside myself, I am still wondering how Airbus will address the 777 problem. The A350-1000 will not become a credible contender against the 777-9, not in its current form. Unfortunately, the A350-1000 itself is already a stretch too long for the A350-900, so stretching it further is only stretching a bad idea.”
If ever Airbus launches another aircraft to address the 400 seater market, then It means that the A350XWB strategy would become a double failure.
The big question is whether the total A350-900 order tally will remain at around 600 units or will it decrease slowly, especially if the A330neo is launched.
He finishes the article with this conclusion: “I guess I have to be very patient before I get a clear answer because only time will tell.”
Interesting.
All pictures ©Airbus
Based on the article “Two Families” published by VeroVenia
23 June 2014
A380 and A350. Combination or competition?
In this slide presented by Airbus before the Emirates' cancellation of the A350 order, Airbus identifies as a strong advantage the combination of A380 and A350 for airlines.
But Emirates has cancelled the A350 because of the competition with A380.
By the way, which airline is the "undisclosed customer" with A380&A350 ordered? Perhaps someone who is purchasing refurbished prototypes to be used as VIP aircraft? Could be.
Slides from the Airbus' presentation to JP Morgan available here.
But Emirates has cancelled the A350 because of the competition with A380.
By the way, which airline is the "undisclosed customer" with A380&A350 ordered? Perhaps someone who is purchasing refurbished prototypes to be used as VIP aircraft? Could be.
Slides from the Airbus' presentation to JP Morgan available here.
22 June 2014
French and German Economy-Ministers visit the A350 FAL in Toulouse.
The French Minister of Economy received last week his German counterpart in Toulouse and they jointly visited the A350 Final Assembly Line.
Arnaud Montebourg was accompanied by Sigmar Gabriel to "celebrate that Airbus symbolizes the strength of the industrial union of our two countries.
Sigmar Gabriel said: "all those who have doubts on Europe and the Franco-German relationship should come to Toulouse-Airbus!”
With the presence of Tom Enders, president of Airbus Group and Fabrice Brégier, CEO of Airbus, the Economy-Ministers said: "The two Governments request the United States so that they engage in fair and just competition and not in a competition that uses billions of dollars of subsidies".
They did not want to comment on the news of a birth of an “Airbus of the energy” with the join between French Alstom and German Siemens.
Based on the article “A Toulouse, Montebourg défend le modèle Airbus” published in La Depeche.
21 June 2014
A350 heat-soak; when you restart all cooling-systems after been parked in the sun at 48C for several hours.
Airbus has completed hot-weather testing of its A350-900 following several days of flights at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered airframe, MSN3, had headed out to Al Ain late on 11/June, and subsequently carried out a number of test flights over the Persian Gulf.
Airbus said the operation focused on engine behaviour and performance in high-temperature conditions, and checks on systems such as the cooling equipment. The tests included heat-soak, in which the A350 was parked in the sun for several hours.
Meteorological data for Al Ain shows temperatures reached 48C while MSN3 was positioned at the airport.
All pictures ©Airbus
Based on the article "A350 wraps up hot-weather test in UAE" published in Flight Global.
20 June 2014
MSN5 flight prototype airbornes with a 8 hours First Flight
Airbus’s 5th and final A350 test aircraft has departed Toulouse on its maiden flight, taking the programme into the last stage of certification.
The MSN5 aircraft has taken off at around 09:40h and has spent more than 8 hours in this First Flight before returning back to Toulouse.
Like MSN2 the aircraft is fitted with a full passenger cabin. Airbus says MSN5 "embodies the operationally definitive configuration for type certification duties".
Airbus had originally expected MSN5 to fly earlier this year but the interior has been undergoing adjustments in preparation for the route work.
Airbus is to use the aircraft for cabin operability tests and route proving, as well as extended operations trials which will last around 300h in a flight program that is being defined -it would include Canada, Australia, USA and China- finalising the certification of the twin-engined type.
Based on the article “Last A350 test aircraft departs on maiden flight” published in Flight International
19 June 2014
B787 against A350. Orders & Cancellations. Boeing 2 - Airbus 0.
In terms of numbers, the historic Emirates cancellation of 11/June reshuffles the cards in the commercial battle between Airbus and Boeing.
Video capture. Source Airbus
If we compare the firm orders for the A350 with those of its direct competitor, the Boeing 787, the Boeing is well ahead with 1.031 purchase commitments against 742 for the Airbus.
Video capture. Source Airbus
And in of cancellation terms, Boeing has suffered 223 total since 2006 for its Dreamliner, and Airbus 252 since 2007 for the A350.
Based on the article "Emirates cancels its Airbus A350 order: explanations." published in Aeronewstv
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