The Airbus A350 XWB cockpit has been powered up for the first time.
An important milestone toward completion of the first airframe, it comes just two weeks after the first forward fuselage section was delivered to the assembly plant in Toulouse, France.
Power-on of the entire fuselage is expected to be completed late this year. Test flights of the new aircraft type are to begin in 2013, with first deliveries expected in 2014.
“Flight-deck power-on is an important step on the route to complete aircraft power-on and first flight, because it enables most systems functional checking to be undertaken,” said Airbus in a statement. “Having achieved this nearly a year before first flight will allow early identification and resolution of potential issues and thus help to protect the aircraft’s development schedule.”
Airbus has successfully powered-up the flight-deck of A350 XWB MSN1 for the first time, following the initial application of electrical power to the aircraft’s front fuselage. (Photo by Airbus/P. Pigeyre)
First section for A350 XWB MSN1 arrives in the final assembly line in Toulouse. (Photo by Airbus/F. Lancelot)
First section for A350 XWB MSN1 arrives in the final assembly line in Toulouse. (Photo by Airbus/F. Lancelot)
