MSN5000 Static test airframe rolled-out during a cold night in Toulouse airport.

Airbus’ A350 XWB static test airframe has moved into the facility where it will undergo testing to validate the structural design.

MSN500 roll-out

The airframe rolled out of the A350 XWB final assembly line at Toulouse, Blagnac Airport and was transferred to the L34 static test hall situated across the airport in the Lagardère industrial zone–home to the A380 final assembly line. As there are no operations from 22h in the airport, Airbus had freedom to use it to transfer the MSN5000 aircraft crossing the complete airport.  

This clears the way for the A350 XWB airframe to be integrated into a test rig for a campaign that will submit it to nearly a year of evaluations, including limit load and ultimate load validations, along with residual strength and margin research.

Static Test aircraft arrives L34 static test hall

The L34 static test hall covers an area of 10,000 square meters, and is supported by 200 workers during peak testing activity.  It houses a rig that incorporates 2,500 tons of steel and 240 jacks/loading lines, which are used to induce structural loads.  The testing is recorded by some 12,000 sensors. 

Static Test aircraft has a Dummy-Vertical Stabilizer