A350 at Brize
 

Hi all.
As of 1935 I notice F-WZGG A350 seems to be conducting a test flight out of Brize.

Any reason for this start and end point, seems a UK military base is quite an obscure location for test flights?

Looking at FR24 it appeared to on the ground at Kemble early this morning. In fact, just peering at the screen it looks like it's on its way back there, just abeam Chipping Sodbury.

Seen twice over Gloucestershire today. Once mid afternoon and again about 20 mins ago. Both times heading East towards Kemble. Very quite!......

It did a full stop landing at Kemble. Link to you tube video of it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=T7Qg-SWKHnw

Maybe its at Brize to replace the A330s which apparently ain't working too well.

Fuel system testing, now having to be done out of Kemble due to the stupid decision to close Filton.

If given the choice of a 787 and the A350, the latter would win optically in my eyes. Nice to see that the flight testing is being shared amongst the member countries of the Airbus conglomeration :ok:



SHJ

Take a wild guess where Concorde did much of it's flight testing and crew training?

Or best to test the fuel system near where it was designed, where the expertise lives?

Any idea how long it is to be at Kemble?

A closer view of the Kemble landing;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=rqSTVWw7twU

^ Nice, thanks!

I know it's very light, no cargo, low fuel, no passengers etc, but that was impressive just how quickly it was able to stop using brakes and reverse thrust :ok: I wonder how close to touchdown the reversers were deployed ?



SHJ

...and isn't there an A350 Fuel System test rig in a Kemble hangar, suggesting some 'local expertise' ?