Airbus A350 Production And Delivery Thread - 2016-2017 (Part 17)

enzo011 · Sun Oct 22, 2017 11:16 am

As per the information from FR24 MSN65 (F-WLXV) has done some 19 flights since Monday 16th October. Some of these was very short stops, others was just flyovers or touch and go's. The stops on the ground was between 10 minutes to 5 hours.

The longest flight seems to have been on the 19th October where there was no stops but 4 flight numbers (AB351 to AB354) and the total flight time was around 10h35 from take off to landing. This included some flyovers/touch and go's at Perpignon, Palermo and Bordeaux before landing in Toulouse for a stop of around 2 hours before it took the next flight again that lasted for another 7h04. After it arrived it was on the ground for about 4h30 before the next flight the next morning.

So it looks like the last week had a total flight time hours was around 91 hours 42 minutes for MSN65. Does anyone know if this corresponds with the A359 route proving flights? I have tried to find information on those and what was planned but couldn't find anything.

BOAC1966 · Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:45 am

FR indicates possible route proving with hot climate tests to BAQ in Colombia later today with 1400 departure after what looks like engine runs this morning.

KarelXWB · Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:52 am

MSN 154 CX #21 has moved to the DC.

KarelXWB · Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:52 am

MSN 168 HX #3 first flight: https://fr24.com/AIB01HF/f4cdb1f

BOAC1966 · Mon Oct 23, 2017 12:12 pm

AIB351 on her way to South America right on schedule!

hkcanadaexpat · Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:01 pm

F-WZHD has made it to the flightline today. If i was to venture i guess, i would say its MSN 164 (DL #5) unpainted.

KarelXWB · Mon Oct 23, 2017 6:59 pm

hkcanadaexpat wrote:
F-WZHD has made it to the flightline today. If i was to venture i guess, i would say its MSN 164 (DL #5) unpainted.

Make that painted.

Msn164 F-WZHD 23/10/2017 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

A388 · Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:46 pm

At which airports will the A351 be testing on South America and what will it do after those tests?

I assume it will go to Bolivia? Are there other countries it will go to? Any air shows or public displays maybe?

A388

KarelXWB · Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:54 pm

MSN 159 MH #1 has rolled out to the flight line.

A388 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 12:26 am

I now see AIB351 went to BAQ. Why did it go there? Promotional tour for Avianca? I though it was going to South America for testing or is it a promotional tour?

A388

CX Flyboy · Tue Oct 24, 2017 4:37 am

CX pilots were flying the -1000 last week so perhaps it has entered a phase of allowing the customers to play with it.

BOAC1966 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:48 am

From what I recall BAQ is used for sea level high temperature and humidity validation testing of powerplants and cabin systems. I think other aspects of climatic tests were completed somewhile back. However, I suggest that over recent months changes to software and some hardware now revalidation may be required to finalise for EIS readiness. With its smaller brother Airbus announced world tour route proving ahead of departure suggesting this trip has more limited purpose. Possibly Dubai Airshow will reveal more!

hkcanadaexpat · Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:30 am

Updates from this morning (10/24):
MSN 149 (DL #3) at the delivery centre
MSN 146 (LH #6) preparing for first flight #AIB01NY
MSN 60 (3U #1) back at the engine run bay

hkcanadaexpat · Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:55 am

Early afternoon:
MSN 158 (SQ #19) ferry flight to HAM for painting #AIB02NZ
MSN 154 (CX #21) first CAD #AIB04NQ

KarelXWB · Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:56 pm

MSN 158 SQ #19 arriving at XFW today:

A350 Singapore Airlines 9V-SMS by Tobias Gudat, on Flickr

A388 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 4:17 pm

Boeing does tests in CUR too. Why would Airbus not do the same here? Ideal weather conditions here.

A388

NZ321 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 4:34 pm

A388 wrote:
Boeing does tests in CUR too. Why would Airbus not do the same here? Ideal weather conditions here.

A388

Because it's a hell of a hike from Toulouse ?

PhilDur · Tue Oct 24, 2017 4:52 pm

NZ321 wrote:
A388 wrote:
Boeing does tests in CUR too. Why would Airbus not do the same here? Ideal weather conditions here.

A388

Because it's a hell of a hike from Toulouse ?

According to Great Circle Mapper :

SEA CUR 110° (E) 094° (E) 3,913 mi
TLS CUR 266° (W) 265° (W) 4,663 mi

Not that big difference ! In any case the tested planes must fly !

george77300 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 5:09 pm

itisi wrote:
KarelXWB wrote:
MSN 150 VN #9 and MSN 151 CI #9 have been moved to the DC.

Msn150-151 20/10/2017 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

MSN 158 CX #19 made its first flight today.

AIB01NZ msn158 20/10/2017 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

MSN 168 HX #3 performed a RTO.

RTO msn168 F-WZHF 20/10/2017 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

Typo I'm sure. 158 is SQ, not CX

You are definitely correct. It must be typo. This is SQ not CX.

KarelXWB · Tue Oct 24, 2017 5:27 pm

MSN 169, Cathay's second A350-1000, has entered final assembly.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BacUWUEBcSR/

KarelXWB · Tue Oct 24, 2017 5:31 pm

CX Flyboy wrote:
CX pilots were flying the -1000 last week so perhaps it has entered a phase of allowing the customers to play with it.

Like this CX pilot: https://www.instagram.com/p/BaiTH29hooi/

evansummerfieldHad a great opportunity to fly F-WLXV the third test A350-1000 aircraft this week as part of its route proving before certification later this year.

KarelXWB · Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:28 pm

We can see MSN 148 CX #20 with its final registration, so delivery should be imminent:

Delivery Center 24/10/2017 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

BOAC1966 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 7:31 pm

Left BAQ ....track seems towards high altitude tests around La Paz?

audidudi · Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:07 pm

BOAC1966 wrote:
Left BAQ ....track seems towards high altitude tests around La Paz?

You can track it here:

https://www.flightradar24.com/FWLXV/f50cabd

BOAC1966 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:05 pm

Today BAQ to BAQ!

mat66 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:18 pm

KarelXWB wrote:
We can see MSN 148 CX #20 with its final registration, so delivery should be imminent:

Delivery Center 24/10/2017 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

What airline is the green fin all the way to the right of the picture ? Looks like A350.

KarelXWB · Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:20 pm

mat66 wrote:
What airline is the green fin all the way to the right of the picture ? Looks like A350.

That would be an Eva Air A330.

mat66 · Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:52 pm

KarelXWB wrote:
mat66 wrote:
What airline is the green fin all the way to the right of the picture ? Looks like A350.

That would be an Eva Air A330.

That is embarrassing. They must have figured out the perfect design of the rudder in the 1980's and never changed it

Eva Air, of course. :banghead:

Ugly51 · Wed Oct 25, 2017 2:06 am

mat66 wrote:
KarelXWB wrote:
mat66 wrote:
What airline is the green fin all the way to the right of the picture ? Looks like A350.

That would be an Eva Air A330.

That is embarrassing. They must have figured out the perfect design of the rudder in the 1980's and never changed it
Eva Air, of course.

I have flown LHR - BKK return with Eva Air on there 773ER. Believe me when I say there Business Class offering is superior to both BA and Thai Airways.

hkcanadaexpat · Wed Oct 25, 2017 5:34 am

MSN 162 (CI #10) on the flightline this morning

LAX772LR · Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:27 am

JerseyFlyer wrote:
KarelXWB wrote:
As part of ongoing improvements, MSN 1 has been equipped with a new 50cm higher winglet.

Is this part of the ULR development path - presumably retrofittable to other models also if it works well?

Was wondering the same. Anyone?

Jayafe · Wed Oct 25, 2017 7:23 am

LAX772LR wrote:
JerseyFlyer wrote:
KarelXWB wrote:
As part of ongoing improvements, MSN 1 has been equipped with a new 50cm higher winglet.

Is this part of the ULR development path - presumably retrofittable to other models also if it works well?

Was wondering the same. Anyone?

According to https://leehamnews.com/2017/10/25/airbu ... klets-a350 this change should have no impact in the wing, so it’s up to Airbus to offer it

scbriml · Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:15 am

LAX772LR wrote:
JerseyFlyer wrote:
KarelXWB wrote:
As part of ongoing improvements, MSN 1 has been equipped with a new 50cm higher winglet.

Is this part of the ULR development path - presumably retrofittable to other models also if it works well?

Was wondering the same. Anyone?

Just ongoing improvements to the family. Will provide a small increase in range or reduced fuel burn on shorter routes. Nice.

hkcanadaexpat · Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:24 am

MSN 149 (DL #3) departing on its first CAF #AIB03NA

mjoelnir · Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:08 am

LAX772LR wrote:
JerseyFlyer wrote:
KarelXWB wrote:
As part of ongoing improvements, MSN 1 has been equipped with a new 50cm higher winglet.

Is this part of the ULR development path - presumably retrofittable to other models also if it works well?

Was wondering the same. Anyone?

If the tests go well I expect those sharklets on all frames, I assume retrofittable.

KarelXWB · Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:22 am

scbriml wrote:
LAX772LR wrote:
JerseyFlyer wrote:
Is this part of the ULR development path - presumably retrofittable to other models also if it works well?

Was wondering the same. Anyone?

Just ongoing improvements to the family. Will provide a small increase in range or reduced fuel burn on shorter routes. Nice.

Leeham suggests a fuel burn reduction of 1.4 to 1.6%, that's rather huge.

It will be interesting to know if this new winglet is part of the "enhanced aerodynamics" Airbus announced in 2016 for the A350-900ULR.

mjoelnir · Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:34 am

I assume the sharklets grow upwards rather than out, as the wingspan of the A350, with 64.75 m, is rather near the E size limit. It will be interesting to see if this will lead to a change on the A330neo sharklets too.

KarelXWB · Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:36 am

Airbus delivery centre this morning, from left to right:

- MSN 63 QR #18: visible with final registration A7-ALO.
- MSN 150 VN #9: awaiting CAF.
- MSN 151 CI #9: awaiting CAF.
- MSN 149 DL #3: CAF performed.
- MSN 154 CX #21: CAF performed.
- MSN 148 CX #20: visible with final registration B-LRU.

F-WWXL Airbus A350-1000 + 6 A350 on delivery center by Eurospot 1 Million views in 1 year, Thanks, on Flickr

StTim · Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:37 am

Depends if the wing structure of the 330 wing can accept the additional loads. The inference is that there was sufficient margin in the 350 wing to add this larger extension with no additional wing structure.

KarelXWB · Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:12 am

MSN 98 JD #1 has been moved to paint earlier this week.

Msn98 24/10/2018 by A380_TLS_A350, on Flickr

BoeingVista · Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:19 am

KarelXWB wrote:

Leeham suggests a fuel burn reduction of 1.4 to 1.6%, that's rather huge.

It will be interesting to know if this new winglet is part of the "enhanced aerodynamics" Airbus announced in 2016 for the A350-900ULR.

Kind of numbers that call into question any advantage that she who must not be named on this thread will have at EIS

sadiqutp · Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:28 am

Found this on twitter

#Airbus has confirmed that it is working on new winglets for the #A350, to be introduced from MSN216 (1st ULR)

More range, Less fuel (1-2%)

https://twitter.com/A350_Production/sta ... 2802627584

KarelXWB · Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:29 am

A delivery flight for MSN 63 is scheduled for today.

Airbus A350 -941 63 A7-ALO Qatar Airways delivery 25oct17 TLS-DOH ex F-WZFJ

Eyad89 · Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:52 am

sadiqutp wrote:
Found this on twitter
#Airbus has confirmed that it is working on new winglets for the #A350, to be introduced from MSN216 (1st ULR)

More range, Less fuel (1-2%)

https://twitter.com/A350_Production/sta ... 2802627584

Let's see, Airbus has confirmed reduced fuel consumption by 1-2% through enhanced winglets, and RR is confirming a 1% reduction in fuel consumption through enhancing Trent XWB by next year. By 2019, A350 would be in total 2-3% more efficient than the ones flying today. That's fast. It even places it on the same level as 789 in terms of fuel burn per trip.

KarelXWB · Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:08 pm

MSN 63 QR #18 is going home:

https://fr24.com/QTR3350/f52709b

A388 · Wed Oct 25, 2017 2:23 pm

F-WLXV has just departed BAQ but I don't know if it's a test flight or whether it's going to another airport(?)

A388

Slug71 · Wed Oct 25, 2017 2:50 pm

Eyad89 wrote:
sadiqutp wrote:
Found this on twitter
#Airbus has confirmed that it is working on new winglets for the #A350, to be introduced from MSN216 (1st ULR)

More range, Less fuel (1-2%)

https://twitter.com/A350_Production/sta ... 2802627584

Let's see, Airbus has confirmed reduced fuel consumption by 1-2% through enhanced winglets, and RR is confirming a 1% reduction in fuel consumption through enhancing Trent XWB by next year. By 2019, A350 would be in total 2-3% more efficient than the ones flying today. That's fast. It even places it on the same level as 789 in terms of fuel burn per trip.

It will also be the first -900 with the updated wing twist.

KarelXWB wrote:
MSN 63 QR #18 is going home:

https://fr24.com/QTR3350/f52709b

Bout damn time!

KarelXWB · Wed Oct 25, 2017 4:58 pm

MSN 160 DL #4 has rolled out to the flight line (fully painted).

hkcanadaexpat · Thu Oct 26, 2017 7:58 am

MSN 150 (VN #9) departing on its CAF #AIB04NP this morning.
Also, new engine run for MSN 168 (HX#3). Probably an engine change. Still unpainted.

KennyK · Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:44 am

Does anyone have any information on the 3 NTU SriLankan Airways aircraft, MSNs 52, 55 and 60 due to go to Sichuan Airlines? The first 2 have already flown (3 and 6 times) and the 3rd is fully painted and due its first flight very shortly. Are the first 2 painted up and ready to be delivered?

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