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| The new Airbus A350 takes off for its maiden flight at the Toulouse-Blagnac airport in southwestern France June 14, 2013 |
The
world’s aviation sector moved to the rhythm of Airbus’ A350 XWB on Friday 14th June 2013, as this
new-generation jetliner performed its first flight – viewed by thousands of
company employees, industry executives and aircraft enthusiasts at Toulouse,
France, and followed on the Internet by a global audience.
Beginning
its takeoff roll exactly on time at 10:00 a.m., the no. 1 A350 XWB smoothly
rotated and climbed away from Runway 32L at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, ascending
through scattered clouds as it was accompanied by a photo chase aircraft.
Operating
on maximum takeoff power of its two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350 XWB
demonstrated the aircraft’s low external noise levels and excellent handling
conditions from its first moments in the air.
“The
A350 XWB is fantastic and impressive,” said John Leahy moments after the
historic takeoff. “Did you hear how quiet it was? We’re going to
set new standards with the A350 XWB – not just for comfort and performance, but
for environmental friendliness as well.”
Airbus
employees welcomed the newest member of the company’s jetliner family by
turning out in large numbers at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport – many waving flags
with the message: “A350 XWB first flight – We did it!”
Additionally,
more than 50,000 visitors watched the A350 XWB’s takeoff on the airbus.com
website, which delivered on-line streaming that also included real-time
air-to-air video. This coverage enabled viewers to share the experience
as the aircraft went airborne for the first time, and subsequently provided
real-time views during such key moments as the first landing gear retraction
and certain handling qualities evaluations.
Video
of the first flight was provided on Airbus’ You Tube channel, and comments were
posted on Twitter using the #A350firstflight hashtag.
While
airborne, the A350 XWB was clearly identifiable by the extra widebody fuselage
cross-section, its distinctive wrap-around windshield and streamlined nose
profile, along with the tapered wings – a result of Airbus’ advanced
aerodynamic design. To further distinguish the new aircraft, it carries
the A350 WXB designation – complete with the stylized logo – in large letters
on its fuselage centerline.
In
completing its 4-hour, 5-minute maiden mission, the A380 XWB performed a flyby
of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport before landing on Runway 32L to applause and
cheers.
The
A350 XWB that flew on Friday is designated MSN1, and is an A350-900 version.
This is the mid-family member of the A350 XWB Family, with the -900 to
accommodate 314 passengers in a typical three-class configuration. The
longer-fuselage A350-1000 version seats 350, while the shortest – the A350-800
– has a capacity of 270 passengers.
A
total of five aircraft will participate in the A350-900’s 2,500-flight hour
test and certification programme in support of this first A350 XWB version to
enter airline service.
AIRBUS
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