KarelXWB wrote:

MSN 59 is currently inside L33 hangar, first flight is scheduled for next month.


Msn59 7/9/2016 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

While looking at this picture again I noticed the jack at the rear suggesting the aircraft is lifted from the ground. Also the right hand elevator is "lifted" which suggests the Yellow hydraulic system is pressurised (See image below)


I can't find which system the landing gear actuators are on, but gear swing testing might be in progress here

MSN 49 CI #1 first engine run this morning.


China Airlines Airbus A350-941 cn 049 F-WZGV // B-18901 by Clément Alloing, on Flickr


First engine run msn49 F-WZGV 8/9/2016 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

On the 350-1000, are the main bogies on the landing gear in a similar layout to that of the B777? Obviously there are numerous differences with the doors etc., but from the photos at least, the general layout seems similar.

MSN 54 SQ #6 emerged from cabin fit.


Flightline 8/9/2016 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

poolkeeper wrote:

The are 3 frames for Sri Lankan that was supposed to be delivered and one Qatar with the fuel tank issue that will not be delivered this year so if they haven't managed to accelerate some later frames then I think they will deliver around 45-47 frames this year.

Maybe, though I want to add a note:

The SriLankan A350s were on lease from AerCap, so the lessor is the costumer who placed the order with Airbus. In 2014 and 2015, we have seen several white tail A330s being delivered to lessors, even when the customer canceled the contract. It is therefore not unthinkable that these 3 A350s will be delivered to AerCap. This idea is being strengthened by the fact that the first 2 A350 (MSN 52 and 55) are currently undergoing cabin fit.

starbucks wrote:

[While looking at this picture again I noticed the jack at the rear suggesting the aircraft is lifted from the ground.

afaics there are two jacks visible:
one under the rear ~APU position?
and one going into the open rear freight hatch.

audidudi wrote:

On the 350-1000, are the main bogies on the landing gear in a similar layout to that of the B777? Obviously there are numerous differences with the doors etc., but from the photos at least, the general layout seems similar.

Yes, the 35J has 6 wheel main bogies like the 777's.

The question is will the gear be "toes up" in flight like the triple seven
or "toes down" like the 359's?

Guess we'll all find out when it takes flight

Sooner787 wrote:

audidudi wrote:

On the 350-1000, are the main bogies on the landing gear in a similar layout to that of the B777? Obviously there are numerous differences with the doors etc., but from the photos at least, the general layout seems similar.

Yes, the 35J has 6 wheel main bogies like the 777's.

The question is will the gear be "toes up" in flight like the triple seven
or "toes down" like the 359's?

Guess we'll all find out when it takes flight

I remember seeing a photo somewhere (airbus website maybe?) of a gear test and it looked to me like they were toes down. I've always thought they made for less smooth landings, but I don't know whether this is the case or not!

KarelXWB wrote:

poolkeeper wrote:

The are 3 frames for Sri Lankan that was supposed to be delivered and one Qatar with the fuel tank issue that will not be delivered this year so if they haven't managed to accelerate some later frames then I think they will deliver around 45-47 frames this year.

Maybe, though I want to add a note:

The SriLankan A350s were on lease from AerCap, so the lessor is the costumer who placed the order with Airbus. In 2014 and 2015, we have seen several white tail A330s being delivered to lessors, even when the customer canceled the contract. It is therefore not unthinkable that these 3 A350s will be delivered to AerCap. This idea is being strengthened by the fact that the first 2 A350 (MSN 52 and 55) are currently undergoing cabin fit.

Interesting. As they are painted white it should mean that they haven't assigned a new customer yet so would they fit the cabin with seats already as they are pretty expensive and maybe not the correct model for an eventual customer?

jslade797 wrote:

I remember seeing a photo somewhere (airbus website maybe?) of a gear test and it looked to me like they were toes down. I've always thought they made for less smooth landings, but I don't know whether this is the case or not!

In landing attitude the A350-900 seems to be "flat footed" relative to the ground. i.e. 10..20° toes down relative to the fuselage?

Sooner787 wrote:

audidudi wrote:

On the 350-1000, are the main bogies on the landing gear in a similar layout to that of the B777? Obviously there are numerous differences with the doors etc., but from the photos at least, the general layout seems similar.

Yes, the 35J has 6 wheel main bogies like the 777's.

The question is will the gear be "toes up" in flight like the triple seven
or "toes down" like the 359's?

Guess we'll all find out when it takes flight

Other than this wheel bogie with 3 sets, rather than 2 sets, and the fuselage extension, are the 359 and 35J structurally identical? The wing span on both is identical, but the wing area is greater on the larger 35J, 460 sq. meters, versus, 442 sq. meters for the 359.

The 35J does not appear to be a 'simple stretch'

So that makes MSN 59's first flight at or around beginning november, and first delivery at least ten months later, I suppose.

WIederling wrote:

jslade797 wrote:

I remember seeing a photo somewhere (airbus website maybe?) of a gear test and it looked to me like they were toes down. I've always thought they made for less smooth landings, but I don't know whether this is the case or not!

In landing attitude the A350-900 seems to be "flat footed" relative to the ground. i.e. 10..20° toes down relative to the fuselage?

Certainly more so than the 767 or Tu-154. Doesn't look super-smooth in any case unless the landing is very well judged (compared to something like the 330 perhaps), but I haven't flown on one yet so am in no position to judge!

PDPsol wrote:

Other than this wheel bogie with 3 sets, rather than 2 sets, and the fuselage extension, are the 359 and 35J structurally identical? The wing span on both is identical, but the wing area is greater on the larger 35J, 460 sq. meters, versus, 442 sq. meters for the 359.

The 35J does not appear to be a 'simple stretch'

The wing is extended on the rear. ie. movable surfaces trail more. IMU the changes all over are smaller than A320 to A321.
The triple bogie is longer but narrower than the double axle bogie on the -900.
Wonder if they have further MTOW potential via widening the footprint back to the -900 width.

PDPsol wrote:

Other than this wheel bogie with 3 sets, rather than 2 sets, and the fuselage extension, are the 359 and 35J structurally identical? The wing span on both is identical, but the wing area is greater on the larger 35J, 460 sq. meters, versus, 442 sq. meters for the 359.

The 35J does not appear to be a 'simple stretch'

Did Airbus or anyone ever claim otherwise? I know Airbus was aiming for 90%-95% commonality with the -900, but I can't remember them ever saying it was a "simple stretch"

crimsonchin wrote:

PDPsol wrote:

Other than this wheel bogie with 3 sets, rather than 2 sets, and the fuselage extension, are the 359 and 35J structurally identical? The wing span on both is identical, but the wing area is greater on the larger 35J, 460 sq. meters, versus, 442 sq. meters for the 359.

The 35J does not appear to be a 'simple stretch'

Did Airbus or anyone ever claim otherwise? I know Airbus was aiming for 90%-95% commonality with the -900, but I can't remember them ever saying it was a "simple stretch"

Not stating Airbus ever claimed the 35J was 'simple', but the various modifications may illustrate some less-than optimal planning by the folks in Toulouse. The more modifications, the greater the complexity and, presumably, associated development, engineering, and manufacturing costs. While the A350 'industrial launch' in December 2006 authorized all three variants, I wonder whether Airbus did not make the 'XWB' 'extra wide' enough! It now appears a 35J sized variant should have been targeted as the base model, with a larger '35K', or something similar, to compete directly with the 779.

Of course, Airbus may not have known whether the market would want such a large aircraft, and may have even wanted to have customers focused on the 380 as their 'flagship', not the XWB.

Product planning for commercial aviation is notoriously difficult, as product cycles are 20-30 years, while markets move and turn constantly. Boeing and the 757 were way ahead of the market, and early sales were super disappointing. Today, 35 years later, the market for a new 'MOM' is booming with the A321neoLR and Boeing scrambling to compete!

Airbus is to be commended for developing the XWB, and we all hope it competes effectively with the 77X!

MSN 54 (Singapore #6) powered on Thursday afternoon

PDPsol wrote:

Not stating Airbus ever claimed the 35J was 'simple', but the various modifications may illustrate some less-than optimal planning by the folks in Toulouse. The more modifications, the greater the complexity and, presumably, associated development, engineering, and manufacturing costs. While the A350 'industrial launch' in December 2006 authorized all three variants, I wonder whether Airbus did not make the 'XWB' 'extra wide' enough!

Initially all 3 subtypes were announced as optimized to similar range products and not as a combo of shrink + base + lengthened with (payload * range ~= constant ).
The apparently well orchestrated early death of the -800 could hint that Airbus had a higher MTOW center targeted. The easy expansion of -900 MTOW and the fortunate availability of 165,000++l tankage are further indicators.

Afaics from announcements in the last two years the -800 was a decoy to keep up the perception that the A350 was a 787 competitior.

It now appears a 35J sized variant should have been targeted as the base model, with a larger '35K', or something similar, to compete directly with the 779.

What if this was the case all the time

Aircellist wrote:

So that makes MSN 59's first flight at or around beginning november, and first delivery at least ten months later, I suppose.

Where is this speculation coming from? First flight is currently scheduled for October.

MSN 33 delivery seem to have stalled, the plane got its test registration re-applied.


Msn33 F-WZGB 8/9/2016 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

MSN 50 TG #2 is having its first engine run this morning. Plane appears to be in the engine test area.

G'day

KarelXWB wrote:

MSN 33 delivery seem to have stalled, the plane got its test registration re-applied.

But not that lavatory seat gap issue again!!!

Maybe U-Turn Al is not only short on planes as he claims to be but also short on funds to pay for that final delivery payment? As usual we are unlikely to ever hear about the real reason for this new delay, we are only told half the fun or tragedy here on A-Net

Cheers

Peter

Heavierthanair wrote:

G'day

KarelXWB wrote:

MSN 33 delivery seem to have stalled, the plane got its test registration re-applied.

But not that lavatory seat gap issue again!!!

Maybe U-Turn Al is not only short on planes as he claims to be but also short on funds to pay for that final delivery payment? As usual we are unlikely to ever hear about the real reason for this new delay, we are only told half the fun or tragedy here on A-Net

Cheers

Peter

1. QR is sitting on about US$6b in cash and short term deposits. Also most of QR's A350s have been sold profitably in sale and leaseback agreements generating cash with every delivery.

2. The toilet gap that people joke about is something that Airbus took more seriously and led to them rejecting production from Zodiac based on quality. It's like the A380 with the carpets based on one report in a newspaper that become A.net fact, when there were more serious fit issues in places such as the galley.. Look at this quote from Bregier:

"When you don’t have a toilet this is a deduction, but even with a toilet we found the door closing is a bit difficult. So we tried to fix that time to time, but you can see between the door and the toilet so it is also not good."

MSN33 will be delivered soon, don't read too much into everything.

Ain't nothing to do with missing toilet doors, MSN 33 had 2 CAF flights; you don't perform a CAF if the plane isn't ready.

KarelXWB wrote:

Ain't nothing to do with missing toilet doors, MSN 33 had 2 CAF flights; you don't perform a CAF if the plane isn't ready.

I am not saying that MSN33 has missing toilet doors. I am replying to heavierthanair's joke about the toilet seat gap. The early deliveries had issues with fit and alignment of the toilet modules and their doors then it became A.net legend that its something to do with toilet seats, like the QR A380 carpet "issues" based on one article on a French newspaper becoming fact. It's important to address these because speculation on A.net becomes fact after a while.

When will the A350-1000 finish the engine installation. It has been a long while.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqujo_oaDrE

[/quote] I can't find which system the landing gear actuators are on, but gear swing testing might be in progress here [/quote]

I believe the main gear extension/retraction system is on the Green hydraulic. Nose gear ext/ret is on the Yellow.

MSN 67 VN #6 emerged from paint.


Vietnam A350-941 msn 067 by dn280tls, on Flickr

KarelXWB wrote:

Aircellist wrote:

So that makes MSN 59's first flight at or around beginning november, and first delivery at least ten months later, I suppose.

Where is this speculation coming from? First flight is currently scheduled for October.

The quoted tweet spoke about around 50 more days.

"1st A350-1000 MSN59 (F-WMIL) will not airborne tomorrow.
Still need almost 50 days more.
Trent XWB-97 tests ongoing"

(in https://twitter.com/A350Blog/status/773576790065438720)

I don't know if those were work days or calendar days, but calendar days, that gives us late october. Beginning november is not far around. But you are right, it is speculation.

I expect Trent XWB-97 testing to continue on the A380 test bed even when the A350-1000 flies, just as it happened with the A350-900.

"Airbus wing plant is a model of robotic technology "
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/bo ... echnology/

An article about Airbus' wing assembly plant in Wales. The article also contains a small slideshow and a video showing the inside of the assembly plant.

Thunderboltdrgn wrote:

"Airbus wing plant is a model of robotic technology "
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/bo ... echnology/

An article about Airbus' wing assembly plant in Wales. The article also contains a small slideshow and a video showing the inside of the assembly plant.

good article, thanks.

I just found this about the Trent XWB 97. Nice stuff here, additive layer manufacturing, test campaign... http://www.rolls-royce.com/~/media/File ... XWB-97.pdf

starbucks wrote:

I can't find which system the landing gear actuators are on, but gear swing testing might be in progress here

Yellow for the nose gear and green for the main

MSN51 (AY #7 F-WZGX, OH-LWG) is online for it's 2nd flight: http://www.fr24.com/AIB02GX

MSN49 (CI #1 F-WZGV, B-18901) is currently taxiing for RTO (rejected take-off) https://fr24.com/CALER4RT/afcf148

MSN 49 CI #1 just completed its RTO, first flight should follow soon.


1st Airbus A350-900 China Airlines by Jujug Spotting, on Flickr

KarelXWB wrote:

MSN 49 CI #1 just completed its RTO, first flight should follow soon.


1st Airbus A350-900 China Airlines by Jujug Spotting, on Flickr

And here we go! One day after the RTO, now the FF:

http://www.flightradar24.com/AIB01GV

Another RTO today: MSN 50 TG #2.

Quite a number now in production testing - hopefully a few of these frames will quickly move through to delivery.

Any news on Qatar #11 delivery?

BobMUC wrote:

And here we go! One day after the RTO, now the FF:

http://www.flightradar24.com/AIB01GV

Photo confirmation from Airbus:

http://twitter.com/Airbus/status/776059165819211776

2 one my side

bycac wrote:

2 one my side

Much better pictures!

But China Airlines still have to change the color of the engine cowlings! The grey doesn't fit well to the rest of the nice paint work!

MSN 38 CX #5 is now parked at the delivery center.


Msn38 F-WZGK 14/9/2016 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

How long is the usual production run for a delivery? Say a A350 is supposed to by delivered by January 2018, when would we see it being assembled?

Thanks,

CI's bird looks absolutely stunning!

Lindegaard wrote:

How long is the usual production run for a delivery? Say a A350 is supposed to by delivered by January 2018, when would we see it being assembled?

Thanks,

Have a look at the (unofficial) production schedule: https://sites.google.com/site/a350xwbpr ... ction-list .
MSN #91 which is a 359 for Air Caraïbes (their nr2 new build), it's status is set to parts arriving and while it doesn't have a delivery date set, you can get an
estimate by looking at the other aircrafts that are in the same place in the production list. That would make January-February-March sometime for MSN #91.

MSN 50 TG #2 ready for its first flight.

https://fr24.com/AIB01GW/b01f207

KarelXWB wrote:

MSN 50 TG #2 ready for its first flight.

https://fr24.com/AIB01GW/b01f207

It's in the air and MSN 38 CX #5 has it's 3rd test flight. Maybe it's already the CAF:
http://www.fr24.com/AIB03GK

A350 of today