First A350-1000 to land in UK touches down at Cardiff Airport

Airbus A350-1000 XWB F-WWXL landing at Cardiff Airport (Image: IanG / SWAG)
Airbus A350-1000 XWB F-WWXL landing at Cardiff Airport (Image: IanG / SWAG)

The first Airbus A350-1000 to land in the UK has touched down at Cardiff Airport (CWL/EGFF) this afternoon.

F-WWXL (MSN071) is the 3rd Airbus A350-1000 XWB aircraft to be built and the final aircraft to enter Airbus’ test line up.

The long range twin-jet, known as the XWB or (Extra Wide Body) took off from Toulouse this afternoon for the short flight to Cardiff and landed just after 16:30hrs before taking up residence at Wales’ National Airport for 2 days of fuel trials.

The fuel trials are an important part of the certification process and it is understood engineers from Airbus Broughton and Airbus Filton will be assisting with the trials.

Airbus A350-1000 F-WWXL rolling out at Cardiff Airport (Image: Matthew Blunt)
Airbus A350-1000 F-WWXL rolling out at Cardiff Airport (Image: Matthew Blunt)

The A350 has a fuel system designed with fewer pumps and valves and a sophisticated fuel management system that handles the fueling and de fueling operations on the ground, as well as fuel flow to engines and between tanks while airborne. The system also moves fuel between tanks to optimise the aircraft’s centre of gravity (CoG) as well as reducing wing bending. This process also helps to maintain the correct fuel temperature range.

The wings for the Airbus A350 are made in North Wales at the Airbus Broughton using the latest composite materials and techniques and they are the largest carbon fibre wing currently in production.

Cardiff Airport’s latest airline, Qatar Airways is the launch customer for the type which is expected to enter service later this year. It carried out its first flight on the 24th November.

Airbus A350 XWB Factfile

Airbus A350 XWB Infographic (Source: Airbus)
Airbus A350 XWB Infographic (Source: Airbus)
About Nick Harding 1898 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.

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