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.
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
