A350-1000 “very challenging” but “on track”.

Airbus has commenced work on all 3 development aircraft for the A350-1000 test campaign, as it expects to begin final assembly in the first quarter of next year.

Head of A350 program developments Bruno Hernandez said that the A350-1000 is “on track” but acknowledges that bringing the components together to meet the final assembly schedule is “very challenging”.

·   Work is under way on the centre wing-box, he said, not only for the 1st development aircraft but also the 2nd and 3rd.

·   The rear spar, supplied by GKN Aerospace, entered assembly on 12/May.

·   US firm Spirit AeroSystems had begun manufacturing panels for the central section 15.

·   Assembly of the forward fuselage section 13-14 door surrounds – which will be composite, rather than the -900’s metallic ones – is also progressing, he said: “This concept is fully mature.”

·   Pylon assembly is under way.

·   The type’s Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 powerplant will begin a 120h test campaign on the A380 in October.

Hernandez said structural design maturity has been achieved and systems installation architecture is complete, adding that -1000 production work has started “in all the plants”.

All pictures. Source: Oliver Louis.

Based on the article “Work under way on all A350-1000 test aircraft” published in FlightGlobal.

1st day at Le Bourget; 1 order, 30 "intentions" and French President onboard A350.

François Hollande, the President of France, was transported to the biennial Paris Air Show aboard Airbus’ cabin-equipped MSN002 developmental A350 XWB jetliner.

Garuda Indonesia’s Letter of Intent with Airbus for 30 A350 XWB aircraft was signed during the opening day of the Paris Air Show by Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier and Arif Wibowo, CEO of Garuda Indonesia.

Air Lease Corporation, announced a firm order for an additional Airbus A350-900.

There are 2 A350 in the Airshow; the A350 MSN2 prototype with daily flight demo and Qatar Airways 4th aircraft MSN10 in the static display.

All pictures. Source: Airbus

Design award for Finnair´s A350 interiors:

Finnair has won the prestigious International Yacht & Aviation Award for the design of its new Airbus A350 XWB cabin interiors in Economy and Business Class.

Click the picture to watch a video

Finnair's A350 cabin, the creation of Helsinki-based dSign Vertti Kivi & Co, applies the design firm's Space Alive concept to dynamically change the colours, mood and atmosphere on board, easing customers on long-haul journeys into new time zones, destinations and seasons.

Key factors in the selection of the A350 cabin interior were its fresh Nordic design, high quality materials and creative use of the aircraft's dynamic LED lighting system.

The ambient lighting programmed onboard can gradually recall some 24 different skyscapes as the flight progresses, such as the rising or setting sun, various cloud formations, even the hypnotic dance of the aurora borealis, or northern lights.

"Many of Finnair's long-haul passengers coming from Asia, Europe or North America may not be so familiar with Finland, but their time spent travelling with us is a great opportunity to showcase the best of our design culture and show how good design can make life better," says Juha Järvinen , Finnair's Chief Commercial Officer.

"Vertti Kivi and his team have really stepped up to the brief, and we are proud of this early recognition of their efforts."

"With this design, as with my others for Finnair, I wanted to bring unique and fresh Nordic experiences to intercontinental travellers in a calming and peaceful environment that promotes wellbeing," says designer Vertti Kivi.

"I am honoured to receive this prize and to contribute to what will be Finnair's flagship product for years to come."

dSign Vertti Kivi & Co are also the creators of the Finnair lounges at Helsinki Airport, which also make use of the Space Alive concept to create dynamic, living and peaceful spaces in continuity with the customer experience on board.

Based on the press release “Finnair's New A350 XWB Wins Recognition for Cabin Design”

A350 systems for airport taxiing.

The A350 is a large aircraft, with a 64.75m. wingspan, that will be operated at a variety of airports and in all weather conditions.

2 features introduced on the A380 are carried over.

· Etacs. The external and taxiing aid camera system uses nosewheel-well and vertical-fin cameras, along with guidance cues on screen, to help crews steer the aircraft so the main gear remains in the center of the taxiway or runway during ground maneuvering.

Etacs also shows ground speed, helping the pilot gauge appropriate speed for straight sections or tight corners.

· OANS. The onboard airport navigation system presents an interactive airport diagram on the navigation display when range is set to “zoom.”

OANS shows aircraft position on the airport relative to named gates, ramps, runways and taxiways.

When approaching a runway, the runway graphic flashes amber to warn of a potential incursion. No aural alerts are triggered.

 All pictures. Source: Lindner Fotografie

Based on the article “Balanced Performer” published in Aviation Week.

Hexcel: new factory in France for A350 ramp-up.

Hexcel strengthens its presence in the region Rhône-Alpes and has announced the construction of a plant for carbon fiber manufacturing in Roussillon (Isère) with an investment of 250 million euros.

The implementation of this new site fits into the strategy of international expansion of Hexcel, wishing to get closer to Airbus, specially for the A350 XWB ramp up.

The construction work will start in September 2015.

The factory, dedicated to the production of polyacrylonitrile (raw material of carbon fiber), will be fully operational in 2018 with 120 new direct jobs and 250 indirect.

Moreover, Thierry Merlot, vice-president of Hexcel announced that the company will invest additional 22 million euros in France on its existing sites to increase the production capacity at Avenières-site and at Dagneux-site, creating 100 new jobs by 2018.

To date, Hexcel employs 1000 people in its 4 french sites located at Dagneux, Les Avenières, Nantes and Toulouse.

All pictures. Source: Linder Fotografie

Based on the article “Hexcel lance son site de Roussillon” published in Les Echos

A350 in Le Bourget. New orders and conversions to bigger -1000 expected. No Emirates decision yet.

The A350 will be next week at Paris Airshow both in static display (an aircraft of Qatar Airways) and in fly display everyday during the show.

Source: Lindner Fotografie

The 7 minutes flight-demo will be done by Airbus´ pilots with the carbon-black livery MSN2 prototype.

 Source: Lindner Fotografie

In parallel, many orders will be announced. Since last November/2014 the A350 orderbook is at 780 unchanged.

During the Airshow conversions of current A350-900 customers will be announced, to bigger A350-1000.

Source: Lindner Fotografie

Some news regarding A350-800 orders (16 remaining) could be announced as well, but on the other hand, Emirates will not announce yet the decision regarding the largest order is playing out in the aerospace industry.

Emirates last year canceled an order for 70 Airbus A350 widebodies after considering the 787-10 as a possible fleet replacement.

Since then, Emirates is in the market for between 70 and 100 wide-body planes to replace its aging fleet and take on new, mid-range routes over the coming years.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airlines told Leeham News recently that “if anything, the 787-10 is not coming up with the thrust requirements that we need. We’re working with Boeing on that, whereas the A350-900 has got bags of thrust.”

Emirates might revive the Airbus deal if Boeing can’t respond to Clark’s concerns over hot-weather performance of the 787-10.

“While impressed with the operating economics of the 787-10 . . . Clark is concerned that Dubai’s harsh operating environment will prevent the aircraft from being able to carry sufficient payload on critical missions,” Flightglobal reported.

Clark said he hopes to make a decision on which plane to order by the end of the year, probably around November at the Dubai Air Show.

Based on the article “Emirates Airline dangling 100-airplane order in front of Boeing, Airbus” published in The Post and Courier

A350 pilots first surprise; quiet, dark cockpit design. Each color has its meaning.

Aviation Week & Space Technology had the opportunity to fly the A350. In the report published it was highlighted that several differences are apparent, between the new Airbus and Boeing widebody twins and between the A350 and earlier A330.

“Strapping in, I was impressed with the quiet, dark cockpit design.”

If something does not require attention, it is not shown and not heard.

Display color conventions are another strong point:

“Pull on a knob and you can select the data, shown in cyan. Push the knob and you have given authority to the computer, shown in magenta. Cyan also denotes a pilot action to be completed. Green signifies normal, active, completed action.”

The A350 has the largest displays in an Airbus: 6 Thales 15-in. landscape flat panels.

Source: Alexander Hassestein

Outermost are the onboard information displays:

·In front of each pilot is the primary flight and navigation display (PFD/ND).

·The top center screen is the electronic centralized aircraft monitor (ECAM) with engine instruments, system display, mailbox and crew-alerting annunciations.

·The bottom center screen presents twin multifunction displays, used for flight planning via a point-and-click interface.

Based on the article “Balanced Performer” published in Aviation Week.