The aircraft took off from Airbus facilities in Toulouse and performed a flight of more than 5 hours during which the engine covered a wide range of power settings at altitudes up to 43 000 ft.
Commencing around 1 year prior to the first flight of A350 XWB, the engine flight test programme is scheduled to accumulate around 175 flight hours – some three times more airborne flying hours than on previous programmes. This will be accomplished over a 7 month period. It will also test the advanced nacelle and thrust reverser system provided by Goodrich.
The first results of this flight test campaign are expected this summer.
The A350 XWB structure is 53% composite-based, including major elements such as wings and fuselage.
