A350 XWB shows off in Singapore

The initial appearance of MSN3 – Airbus’ no. 2 flight test A350 XWB jetliner – at a major aerospace tradeshow includes its static display and flying presentations during the 2014 Singapore Airshow at Changi Airport.

 

On its way to Singapore, MSN3 passed the milestone of the first 1,000 flight test hours for the A350 XWB program since the first flight with MSN1 on June 14, 2013. Overall, the five A350 flight test aircraft will fly 2,500 fight test hours in just over 12 months on the way to type certification in Q3 2014.

 

Currently, two A350 XWB flight test aircraft are flying, MSN1 and MSN3. Both aircraft are fitted with heavy test instrumentation and are successfully carrying out performance and systems evaluations in extreme environmental conditions and are starting certification testing. MSN2 and MSN5 will be fitted with cabins, and will carry out the early long flights and route proving flights later this year. MSN4 will be fitted with light flight test instrumentation and will perform external noise and lightning tests, avionics development, and certification testing. This aircraft will also be used to start the training for first customer pilots and maintenance teams.

 

A full-scale A350 XWB cockpit as well as an interactive A350 XWB model will be on expo at the Airbus stand at the air show together with models of Airbus’ widebody product line and the A320neo. Guests can also discover Airbus’ cabin comfort standards in a dedicated comfort zone at the Airbus tent, located on the static display area.

 

The Asia-Pacific region is a core market for Airbus with airlines from the region accounting for a third of the company’s total orders worldwide. There are more than 2,400 Airbus aircraft in service with nearly 100 airlines across the region and over 1,700 aircraft on order with Asia-Pacific carriers for future delivery.