Airbus A350F Maiden Flight
Airbus A350F cargo aircraft completes its maiden flight from Toulouse ahead of 2027 deliveries.
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Airbus’ A350F freighter made its first flight from Toulouse on Sept. 29, beginning a certification campaign after five years of development. The aircraft, designed specifically for cargo rather than converted from a passenger jet, combines elements of the A350-900 and A350-1000 and is expected to carry up to 111 tonnes over 4,700 nautical miles. Airbus plans about 400 flight-test hours over roughly nine months, with the first customer deliveries targeted for the second half of 2027. The new aircraft is intended to strengthen Airbus’ position in the large-freighter market and compete with Boeing’s 777 freighter family.
Key Points
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The first test aircraft is MSN700, registered F-WXLD; Airbus said it would focus on aerodynamic performance, handling and autopilot testing. A second aircraft, MSN701, is assigned systems tests, including fire and smoke tests and hot- and cold-weather operations.
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Airbus said about 10% of the A350F’s aerodynamic model still needed to be verified in real-world flight conditions, because the freighter has distinct aerodynamic characteristics from passenger A350 models.
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The A350F’s composite fuselage is unusual for a freighter: the aircraft is described as the first freighter to use a composite fuselage.
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The A350F is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and combines the A350 platform’s aerodynamics with advanced materials.
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Airbus had 115 firm orders for the aircraft at the time of the first-flight coverage.
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