Airbus (Toulouse, France) reported on Sept. 4 that the first wing for the A350 XWB has arrived at Airbus’ final assembly line in Toulouse where the new generation Airbus wide-body aircraft is being assembled.
This first wing, which will not fly, is destined for the A350 XWB airframe used for static structural tests on the ground that all new aircraft undergo as part of their certification process. The carbon fiber composite A350 XWB wings, as for all Airbus aircraft, are made at Airbus’ Broughton, U.K. facility.
The A350 XWB wing covers are 32m/105 ft long by 6m/19.7 ft wide, making them the biggest single civil aviation parts made from carbon fibre composite material. The wings’ advanced structural design and superior aerodynamics are both significant contributors to the 25 percent fuel saving performance of the A350 XWB.
