World AirNews June 2018

FIRST
FLIGHT
FIRST
FLIGHT
ULTRA LONG
RANGE
A350 XWB
COMPLETES
FIRST FLIGHT
THE ULTRA Long Range version of the A350 XWB recently
successfully completed its first flight from the airport adjacent
to the Toulouse assembly lines at the Airbus headquarters.
The latest variant of the best-selling A350 XWB Family will be
able to fly further than any other commercial airliner and will enter
service with launch operator, Singapore Airlines, in second half of
this year.
The aircra, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, has
now embarked on a short flight test programme to cerfy the
changes over the standard A350-900 that will extend its range capability
to 9 700 naucal miles. These changes include a modified
fuel system that increases fuel carrying capacity by 24 000 litres,
without the need for addional fuel tanks. The test phase will
also measure enhanced performance from aerodynamic improvements,
including extended winglets.
With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 280 tonnes, the
Ultra Long Range A350 XWB is capable of flying over 20 hours nonstop,
combining the highest levels of passenger and crew comfort
with unbeatable economics for such distances.
Altogether, Singapore Airlines has ordered seven A350-900 Ultra
Long Range aircra, which it will use on non-stop flights between
Singapore and the U.S., including the world’s longest commercial
service between Singapore and New York.
The A350 XWB is an all new family of wide-body long-haul
airliners shaping the future of air travel. The A350 XWB features
the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings,
plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest
technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operaonal efficiency,
with a 25 percent reducon in fuel burn and emissions, and
significantly lower maintenance costs. The A350 XWB ULR features
an Airspace by Airbus cabin offering absolute well-being on board
with the quietest twin-aisle cabin and new air systems.
By the end of March 2018, Airbus had recorded a total of 854
firm orders for the A350 XWB from 45 customers worldwide, already
making it one of the most successful wide-body aircra ever.
Singapore Airlines is one of the largest customers for the A350
XWB Family, having ordered a total of 67 A350-900s, including seven
Ultra Long Range models. The carrier has already taken delivery
of 21 A350-900s.
The first ultra long range A350 XWB rolled out of the assembly
line hangar at the end of February and moved to an outdoor site
where it underwent extensive ground tests prior to having its twin
Rolls-Royce engines mounted preparing it for its maiden flight last
month.
NATURAL REVOLUTION IN DESIGN
The most perfect designs are oen found in nature. That is why
Airbus looks to learn from the natural world when designing
or improving upon its aircra. As the newest member of the
company’s wide-body family, the ultra long range A350 XWB is
an example of how the inspiraonal blend of science and nature
represents another significant revoluon in the ongoing mission to
conceive and manufacture the perfect aircra.
The A350XWB family of aircra – the A350-800; the A350-900,
the A350-1000 and now the A350 ULR -- has learned from nature
to help ensure a healthy future for the planet, whether it is the
revoluonary adapve wing design – inspired by birds -- which
morphs while airborne to achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency
by opmising wing loading , reducing drag and lowering
fuel burn, or the savings generated by innovave technological
advances.
Designed with passengers and airlines at heart, the A350 XWB
family is built with over 70 percent of advanced materials combining
carbon composites (53%), tanium and modern aluminum
alloys, to create a lighter, more cost-efficient aircra while also
reducing maintenance requirements. In addion, the latest generaon
Rolls-Royce Trent XWN powerplants are quieter and more
efficient. Engines.
The combinaon of these advances, results in 25 percent lower
operang costs, fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions compared
with previous generaon aircra, showing Airbus’ commitment to
protecng the environment while remaining at the cung edge of
air travel.
As far as operaonal values are concerned, the A350 XWB family
THE FIRST ULTRA LONG RANGE A350 XWB AIRBORNE FOR ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT
perfectly complements the A330 family offering significant advantages
to airlines operang both aircra The A350 XWB family
offers true long-range capability of up to 8 100 naucal miles with
the new ultra-long range model extending that to 9 700 nm., but
can also be easily configured to operate both regional and ultra
long-haul routes ( for example, the latest version) demonstrang
its full operaonal flexibility..
More significant advantages include the A350 XWB family perfectly
complemenng airlines operang both the A330 and A350
families in terms of route planning or the reduced training me for
pilots familiar with the A330 (thanks to the common type rang);
a seamless integraon of the two families being highly economical
and proving the value of the A350 XWB’s innovave design.
If all this was not enough, then add the fact that A350 models
can now boast the Airspace by Airbus revoluonary cabin design
which is so comfortable that it revoluonized the approach of all
the manufacturer’s aircra interiors.
As the founding member of the Airspace by Airbus cabin, passengers
and crew aboard the 350 XWB Family can experience a
feeling of onboard comfort like never before.
World Airnews | June 2018
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World Airnews | June 2018
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