Airbus A350 XWB Flight test campaign

[keesje]

We are approaching A350XWB First flight.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z160/keesje_pics/a350xwb-1_zps21be14ea.jpg
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/3272/a350xwboutofpaintshotwi.jpg

Now systems and engine tests, taxiing, high speed runs and RTO at MTOW?

[Kerosene Kraut]

There is a german site that claims Airbus confirmed it had started A350 taxi tests on tuesday.

Airbus A350 Prototyp beginnt Rolltests in Toulouse - FLUG REVUE (http://www.flugrevue.de/de/luftfahrt/flugzeuge/airbus-a350-prototyp-beginnt-rolltests-in-toulouse.114036.htm)

[Been Accounting]

I saw it taxiing this afternoon!

[Safety Concerns]

good luck Airbus. I'm sure this will be another mighty fine product which Boeing will be monitoring closely.

[keesje]

http://www.airbus.com/typo3temp/pics/91809a22be.jpg

Two test pilots and the project test flight engineer will be located in the cockpit:
· Peter Chandler, an Experimental Flight Test Pilot with Airbus since 2000 and Chief Test Pilot since 2011;

· Guy Magrin, an Experimental Flight Test Pilot with Airbus since 2003 and Project Pilot for the A350 XWB;

· Pascal Verneau, who has held various positions in Airbus’ flight test division since 1999 and is the A350 XWB Project Test Flight Engineer.

Our A350 XWB Project pilots have been heavily involved in cockpit and systems design and integrations from the operational perspective.
The three remaining first flight test crew members, all of them Experimental Flight Test Engineers, will be working at dedicated flight test stations and managing the progress of the flight profile:

· Fernando Alonso, Flight Test Engineer with Airbus since 1982 and Head of Airbus Flight & Integration Test Centre since 2007;

· Patrick du Ché, Flight Test Engineer with Airbus since 2001 and currently Head of Development Flight Tests since 2012;

· Emanuele Constanzo, Flight Test Engineer with Airbus since 2004 and lead Flight Test Engineer for the Trent XWB engine.

http://www.airlinereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/A350_XWB_engine_run.jpg

[Genghis the Engineer]

Whilst I admire the project and am deeply envious of the test crew...



.... just how exactly did the first prototype get designated "-900" ?

[Capn Bloggs]

They'd better adjust the idle mixture; it's running a bit rich at the moment judging by that photo...

[toffeez]

My guess is that they initially copied the 787-8 (-800) then realised this is too small (correct) and decided the first to fly would be the -900.

But then the A380 is a -800 also ...

[keesje]

Some more close-ups.

http://www.aviationweek.com/Portals/AWeek/TWW/Rupa/A350_6June13/2013-06-06-13.50.03.jpg

Think-Dash: Latest A350 Photos: MSN001 Almost Ready To Fly (http://www.think-dash.com/2013/06/latest-a350-photos-msn001-almost-ready.html)

[keesje]

Airbus A350-900 XWB - Taxi test - YouTube

[keesje]

The A350 XWB prototype is performing braking tests at increasing speeds.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/8995431263_825f353c1e_c.jpg

[Kerosene Kraut]

This was sunday's 80 knots RTO test. Today they seem to plan another one at 140 kts but ATC is on strike. Until this afternoon only limited services available.

[Kiskaloo]

Airbus confirmed she'll go up for the first time on Friday (14 June) - Airbus says new A350 flies for 1st time on Friday | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2021164709_apusairbusfirstflight.html)

[keesje]

First Airbus A350, Hi-speed RTO test - YouTube

[CallmeJB]

Nice looking airplane.

[A4]

What's the saying? "If it looks right, it'll fly right". To me, that looks very "right" - bit like the 757-200 did/does.

Do we know cruise Mach yet - the sweep on the wings looks huge.

[DaveReidUK]

Live webcast of first flight here: A350 XWB First Flight (http://www.a350xwbfirstflight.com).

Starts 09:00 UK time, aircraft due to be airborne at 10:00.

[Swedish Steve]

Starts 09:00 UK time, aircraft due to be airborne at 10:00.

But it says starts 0700 UTC and airborne 0800 UTC.
I thought UK was UTC plus 1 in the summer?

[matkat]

I am on the project and can confirm T/O time is planned for 10:00 BST friday 14th. It is starting at the earlier time so all systems checks are done, when I was doing test flights it was not unusual to be on the aircraft 5 hours before planned T/O time.

[wiggy]

FWIW local news sources all saying 1000 French time:

e.g. A350 : décollage demain - 13/06/2013 (http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2013/06/13/1648989-a350-decollage-demain.html)

[DaveReidUK]

FWIW local news sources all saying 1000 French time:Oops, sorry - yes, takeoff due 1000CET/0900BST/0800UTC, webcast starts an hour beforehand.. :\

I did get it right in a post at lunchtime, but PPRuNe has been having database issues and a number of posts have disappeared from this and other threads.

[keesje]

First A350 XWB takes off for maiden flight - YouTube (http://youtu.be/7U6IJ-LS3Xs)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1010187_579159885462035_619397826_n.jpg

[alainthailande]

FYI the whole 5+ hours video is still available at the aformentioned "live" link. Not live anymore, obviously, but still watchable (and quite enjoyable).
These Airbus PR people are good. The images from the companion plane are breathtaking. Quite a show I must say. Even the weather has cooperated :)
I'm eager to read some insider information here. The official stance is that everything has been "nominal" but I'm sure something must have gone a bit wrong somewhere, hasn't it?

[A33Zab]

Since the question will come up some day, here is the answer in advance.


http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr101/Zab999/A350Probes_zps123a792c.jpg

[CONF iture]

Which ones are for flight testing period, which ones are to stay ?

[Tarq57]

Thanks for that, A33Zab.

[Capn Bloggs]

Ugly nose.

[Frex]

What's the saying? "If it looks right, it'll fly right". To me, that looks very "right" - bit like the 757-200 did/does.

Do we know cruise Mach yet - the sweep on the wings looks huge. tribute to Marcel Dassault...

Speed is planned to match A380's one then M0.85. That's why the sweep is increased by 3° compared to the A330/340 to reach 35°.

Almost ready to fly over Paris Airshow now...

[A33Zab]

Which ones are for flight testing period, which ones are to stay ?


All mentioned probes and ports are standard equipment.

[CONF iture]

That makes it more crowded that the nose of the 380 then.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singapore-Airlines/Airbus-A380-841/1671368/L/&sid=3d1fa49ed85bb5a0a892dd905eac3fb7

Photos: Airbus A380-841 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Singapore-Airlines/Airbus-A380-841/1671368/L/&sid=3d1fa49ed85bb5a0a892dd905eac3fb7)

[mika33]

I go to a little visit of this aircraft. In X-tra category there is a 360° cockpit view :)

Home*| A350 XWB by Airbus (http://www.a350xwb.com/)

[Capn Bloggs]

I go to a little visit of this aircraft. In X-tra category there is a 360° cockpit view

Home*| A350 XWB by Airbus

=

Sorry but there was an error 404 Not Found

Just as I thought! The first cockpit-less airliner! :ouch:

[mika33]

[url=http://www.a350xwb.com/[/url]

You copy the link enter [url] and it is good

[AlphaZuluRomeo]

Hey!

MFPs look good to me. Aren't there (among many things, I'm sure) what some people (and I among others) discussed about 447, i.e. a simple & easy way to avoid NCDing AoA values because of a lack of forward airspeed? :cool:

[A33Zab]

a simple & easy way to avoid NCDing AoA values because of a lack of
forward airspeed?


Was already available before AF447 = BUSS.
Optional on A320/A330/A340 (it requires a certain level of EIS1 or EIS2) and is standard equipment on A380/A350.

[Capn Bloggs]

[url=http://www.a350xwb.com/[/url]

You copy the link enter [url] and it is good
Still no joy. I cna get on to the A350 home page as you have written, but when I click on the Extra dropdown then 360° cockpit view, "Error 404". Musn't be available south of the equator! :{

[EiffelTower]

According to Airbus, BUSS is not usable above FL250....

[A33Zab]

The BUSS comes with AoA sensing thru IR (above the sensing thru ADR).
You don't have to activate the BUSS for this. its there once installed.


According to Airbus, BUSS is not usable above FL250....


It is still usable, but not advised, because if icing of pitots occurs above FL250 this is only a temporary situation.

[Stuck_in_an_ATR]

It is still usable, but not advised, because if icing of pitots occurs above FL250 this is only a temporary situation.

Wasn't it because the BUSS green AoA range is valid for low altitudes only? (No Mach correction on stall AoA)

[CONF iture]

All mentioned probes and ports are standard equipment
What is noticeable is the increase in the number of probes and ports and also how they have been regrouped and placed at the very front end ...

It is still usable, but not advised, because if icing of pitots occurs above FL250 this is only a temporary situation.
Also the judiciary experts have noted that :

Its utilization requests a lot of attention
Its utilization is uneasy when changing the configuration
Its activation is irreversible
Its utilization requests regular training

[A33Zab]

FOT (Flight Operation Telex) 999.0076/09 refers.

BUSS activation comes with increased workload (manual flight, manual cabin press control, some FMS functions not available)
Once you select BUSS, it is for the remainder of flight because you won't be able to identify the faulty source anymore.

Agree the BUSS is not compensated for Mach (as it is not compensated for speedbrake) but that is not the reason for the FL250 threshold.

[HazelNuts39]

Agree the BUSS is not compensated for Mach (as it is not compensated for speedbrake) but that is not the reason for the FL250 threshold.Agreed that is not the reason stated by Airbus. However, if the BUSS had been intended to be usable above FL250 a lower value of the backup stall warning threshold would have been appropriate.

[A33Zab]

What is noticeable is the increase in the number of probes and ports and also
how they have been regrouped and placed at the very front end ...


A380 OAT sensors (for SAT on ground only) are located on the NLG.

That leaves the single AoA vane (other 3 are part of MFP) added in comparision with A380.

Don't know the exact reason, aerodynamical or accessibility for maintenance from inside the NLG wheel well?



Also the judiciary experts have noted that :



Its utilization requests a lot of attention
Its utilization is uneasy when changing the configuration
Its activation is irreversible
Its utilization requests regular training


Increased workload.
FCOM: S/F retraction, fly the top of the green area, for S/F extension, fly the bottom of the green area. Do not select CONFIG FULL.
On ground it is fysical reversible, in flight I am not sure*), however it is procedural not reversible. See previous reply STUCK_ia_ATR.
as should all extraordinary situations.
*) The BUSS image is generated in SDAC, if the ALT signal is absent for 500ms, SDAC will generate the BUSS image, if one reselects any ADR the ALT signal will be available again and SDAC will generate the normal speed display.

[A33Zab]

Think we are in the wrong thread.

Absolutely correct, but no comment on that one by airbus.

A330 SW CLEAN:

NORMAL 23° (fixed value)
ALTERNATE/DIRECT 10.8° -7.0° (max Mach compensated) = 3.8°
BUSS 8.6°

[AlphaZuluRomeo]

I was not talking about icing. Nor BUSS.

I was talking about the airspeed sensed being lower than the real airspeed with fixed pitot probes when the AoA is high, due to the (big) angle between aircraft axis and aircraft trajectory.
If the probe (such as MFP) aligns itself with the relative wind (AoA = 0) then the sensed airspeed is "right".

My point simply was that I feel it's not a bad idea to have that.

[HazelNuts39]

If the probe (such as MFP) aligns itself with the relative wind (AoA = 0) then the sensed airspeed is "right".Yes, provided the sensed static pressure is equal to the ambient pressure. I note that the static ports have moved more to the side of the fuselage and that perhaps reduces the 'position error correction' for high AoA's.

[CONF iture]

Will the 320NG be also equipped with the SSA and MFP ?
Are the SSAs playing a role in some protections ?

Regarding the BUSS :
On ground it is fysical reversible, in flight I am not sure*), however it is procedural not reversible. See previous reply STUCK_ia_ATR.
I am also surprised it would not be reversible in flight as the only thing to do would be to initially stabilize the flight with a pitch and thrust and reengage one by one the ADRs and see how they make sense.

[Stuck_in_an_ATR]

@A33Zab. Haven't seen the FOT you mentioned. The explanation provided by Airbus seems a bit obscure, but still - thanks for info!

[A33Zab]

Will the 320NG be also equipped with the SSA and MFP ?
Are the SSAs playing a role in some protections ?

320NEO is advertised with new engine and sharklets. not with flight control system enhancements.
SSA is used for Y* Normal lateral law, don't know if its playing another role too.

@AZR:

The pitot of the MFP is fixed to its base and does not rotate 'into wind'.

@HN39:

The static ports (ISPs) are on an identical poistion as A330, only the Standby static ports are more on the side but is used for ISIS only.

[HazelNuts39]

A33Zab,
thanks for the info. As always. accurate and to the point.

[AlphaZuluRomeo]

@AZR:

The pitot of the MFP is fixed to its base and does not rotate 'into wind'.
Oh, OK. My bad, then, and thanks for the information. :ok:

Well, it was a detail anyway (with extreme scenarii in mind)

[A33Zab]

Other interesting reading: FAST A350special (http://www.airbus.com/support/publications/?eID=dam_frontend_push&docID=31508)

[FlightPathOBN]

It appears the A350 will do a flyover of the airshow on Friday...

[AlphaZuluRomeo]

Yep. It's in flight now (in the SE of France).

IIRC, Airbus said the fly-over will take place around 13h local.

[keesje]

It made the pass over the Paris Airshow last Friday.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z160/keesje_pics/A350paris_zps80fc2791.jpg

Everything went smooth according to Airbus, but it will be a long time before we get the details ;)

[DaveReidUK]

but it will be a long time before we get the detailsIt flew over the show at Le Bourget. What additional detail do we need?