starbucks
Roll Out Flight Line in Toulouse
Posts: 528 
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Post by starbucks on Apr 24, 2013 11:44:27 GMT 1
Airbus is usually a couple of days in advance with announcing events (3 or 4 days if I remember correct) The absence of an announcement by now makes me think we won't see a rollout this week  (considering weekends aren't a possibility) |
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Baroque
in service - 2 years
Posts: 3,991
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Post by Baroque on Apr 24, 2013 15:50:03 GMT 1
Airbus is usually a couple of days in advance with announcing events (3 or 4 days if I remember correct) The absence of an announcement by now makes me think we won't see a rollout this week (considering weekends aren't a possibility) I'm thinking it's definitely next week. Almost one month has passed since it got its engines. Maybe Airbus is waiting till the French President returns from his state visit to China, or maybe not.  |
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UK380
First Flight
Posts: 788
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Post by UK380 on Apr 26, 2013 21:28:02 GMT 1
I saw an A350 in TLS on Wednesday, I was not able to read off the serial number, it was parked in the same location and the same hangar as MSN001 in the photos, was it MSN001 or MSN003 I saw?
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UK380
First Flight
Posts: 788
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Post by UK380 on Apr 27, 2013 6:17:05 GMT 1
I saw an A350 in TLS on Wednesday, I was not able to read off the serial number, it was parked in the same location and the same hangar as MSN001 in the photos, was it MSN001 or MSN003 I saw? XWB has answered me on the MSN003 thread and it was MSN001 I saw so it is not in paint yet |
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Baroque
in service - 2 years
Posts: 3,991
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Post by Baroque on May 1, 2013 19:36:17 GMT 1
So Airbus, how about next week?  Just wondering... I know it is never possible to have roll out and first flight on the same day, but would it be possible to do an official roll out AND first engine run/ APU run on the same day? Or maybe they could do a wee bit of taxiing?  |
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XWB
in service - 11 years
Posts: 16,115
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Post by XWB on May 1, 2013 21:02:54 GMT 1
Assembly of MSN001 should be completed since the engine attachment on March 26. I assume they are now doing the pre-flight checks inside that hangar. Here is an useful article describing what has to be done once the aircraft is completed: www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2009/03/getting-from-here-to-there-787.htmlI assume they are now doing the vibration and gauntlet testing. I have no idea why Airbus is doing those tests before painting (maybe it's easier to access all hatches before the paint is on the fuselage), with the A380 and 787 the procedure was like this: assembly completed -> paint -> unveiling ceremony -> pre-flight tests -> flying. The A350 however is doing it like this: assembly completed -> pre-flight tests -> paint. This can mean 2 things: - Airbus will skip the traditional unveiling ceremony and fly it asap, then give an official party after first flight. OR - Airbus will do the ceremony after the pre-flight tests, but that sounds silly. |
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philidor
in service - 6 years
Posts: 8,950
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Post by philidor on May 1, 2013 21:38:11 GMT 1
I have no idea why Airbus is doing those tests before painting (maybe it's easier to access all hatches before the paint is on the fuselage), with the A380 and 787 the procedure was like this: assembly completed -> paint -> unveiling ceremony -> pre-flight tests -> flying. The A350 however is doing it like this: assembly completed -> pre-flight tests. This can mean 2 things: - Airbus will skip the traditional unveiling ceremony and fly it asap (with or without paint), then give an official party after first flight. OR - Airbus will do the ceremony after the pre-flight tests, but that sounds silly. On the one hand, Airbus is still probably trying hard to fly the A350 before the Paris airshow, and the 8 to 10 days required to paint the aircraft and stage a ceremony might make them miss the event. On the other hand, Airbus already showcased a static A350 at the FAL inauguration ceremony not so long ago. They may have decided that they don't need to set up another event before the airshow. |
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Baroque
in service - 2 years
Posts: 3,991
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Post by Baroque on May 1, 2013 21:38:18 GMT 1
- Airbus will do the ceremony after the pre-flight tests, but that sounds silly. It doesn't sound that bad. It makes sense to have things in working order before unveiling it. It would be an ugly thing to send it back to reworking after presenting it to the world as the complete thing ready to make first flight. (see 787)  |
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XWB
in service - 11 years
Posts: 16,115
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Post by XWB on May 1, 2013 21:45:55 GMT 1
Maybe they are removing the Home Depot Fasteners (sorry, I couldn't resist)  |
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XWB
in service - 11 years
Posts: 16,115
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Post by XWB on May 1, 2013 22:11:58 GMT 1
On the one hand, Airbus is still probably trying hard to fly the A350 before the Paris airshow, and the 8 to 10 days required to paint the aircraft and stage a ceremony might make them miss the event. On the other hand, Airbus already showcased a static A350 at the FAL inauguration ceremony not so long ago. They may have decided that they don't need to set up another event before the airshow. I read the latest press release again and it says: www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/airbus-installs-rolls-royce-trent-xwb-engines-and-honeywell-apu-on-a350-xwb-msn001/Seems like it will be painted before handed over to the flight test crew. Some ground tests have to be done outside (like the hot engine run) so I expect to see a picture of the complete unpainted airframe once it moves outside (otherwise a spotter will catch it). It makes no sense to release a picture right now because there is a lot of test equipment around MSN001 and all the hatches are open etc. |
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(considering weekends aren't a possibility)
