Wednesday, May 7, 2014

A350 XWB being tested at Eglin

A350 XWB starts testing at Eglin
Airbus photo
An Airbus A350 XWB is undergoing extreme weather testing at the McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., a follow-up to earlier tests in extreme environments. Over the next couple of weeks the aircraft and its various systems and cabin installations will be subjected to the extreme hot and cold temperatures that the unique facility can sustain in a testing environment. The tests come atop those already done earlier this year in the Middle East and Northern Canada. There are four XWB test aircraft flying in the program that have accumulated a combined 1,600 flight test hours in more than 350 flights. Certification is anticipated in the third quarter of this year with entry into service in the fourth quarter. (Source: Airbus, 05/06/14) Of note: Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala.; Rolls-Royce XWB engines are tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous: A350 XWB takes to the airGoodrich ships XWB thrust reverser