Airbus has turned on the power inside its new composite A350 XWB for the first time. The flight deck of the MSN1, the first flyable A350 XWB rolling down the assembly line, features an array of flat panel displays common in most modern airliners and the small side-stick controls familiar to Airbus pilots.
The A350 XWB is Airbus' competitor to the Boeing 777 and new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. And like the Dreamliner, the new Airbus has already suffered its share of setbacks. The company says turning on the power on the flight deck will allow them to perform functional checks of most systems, hopefully allowing them to spot any issues early enough to minimize further delays. The team expects to power up the entire airplane later in the summer and a first flight is scheduled for early next summer.
The front fuselage sections of the airplane was delivered to the final assembly line in Toulouse, France, last month inside the company's giant Beluga transport aircraft. Sections of the A350 XWB are assembled in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Germany with final assembly taking place in Toulouse.
The first airframe is designated for static structural testing, with MSN1 designated as the A350 XWB that will make the first flight. Currently Airbus is hoping the airplane will enter service in the second half of 2014.
Like the Boeing 787, much of the structure of the A350 XWB is made from composites. Though where Boeing uses a composite barrel to form the fuselage, Airbus is using composite panels attached to a metal frame.
Both Boeing and Airbus are promoting the new airplane's significant fuel efficiency improvements over comparable airliners.
Boeing's 787 began service late last year with All Nippon Airways. Both ANA and Japan Airlines are currently operating the airplane. United unveiled its 787 today and is expected to begin flying passengers with the new Dreamliner this fall. Over the weekend a new 787 assembled at the company's new South Carolina factory ignited a small grass fire after a piece of one of its engines fell to the ground. The company and the NTSB are investigating the incident.
Image: Airbus S.A.S./e'm company/P. PIGEYRE
