Airbus schedules A350-1000 first flight for 24 November

JeremyB · Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:46 am

MadameConcorde wrote:
How long is the maiden flight supposed to be up in the air? Any idea? Will they be back on the ground for lunch?
Will be a mega party at the Airbus test plant, maybe a press conference?

The first flight of the A350-900 was supposed to last around 3 hours and 30 minutes (was in the air for 3 hours and 37 minutes) so if I had to guess I'd say it's the same for the A350-1000.

VirginFlyer · Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:47 am

Btblue wrote:
VirginFlyer wrote:
Btblue wrote:
Gosh, that was an anticlimax.

What were you expecting? A barrel roll?

V/F

I watched it on Periscope... Grr. That's why! Must have picked the wrong feed up. Dammit dammit dammit!

Ah now I understand. I took one look at the periscope feed and went back to the France 3 one on Facebook, which worked fairly well:

MoonC wrote:
The live on France 3 was much better, here's the link for those who missed it:
https://www.facebook.com/France3MidiPyrenees/videos/1242149429183302/

(Skip to 33:20 for the action.)

V/F

ap305 · Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:48 am

Amazing bird.... The backward tilting gear is always better from a visual aspect.

RickNRoll · Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:50 am

Compared to the A320NEO the engines look too small in proportion.

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:51 am

KarelXWB wrote:
MadameConcorde wrote:
How long is the maiden flight supposed to be up in the air?

Some 3 hours if I remember correctly.

Thank you. I wonder if they will take the new bird over the Pyrenees?... or maybe they will save that for the next flight.

Such a shame there is no proper live feed. Airbus media FAIL.

A330freak · Thu Nov 24, 2016 11:15 am

Plan for what they're doing on the first flight

https://twitter.com/ReutersAero/status/ ... 8207602689
also,

#Airbus #A350-1000 at 10-15,000 feet, checked pressurisation ok, to shortly climb to 25,0000. "The aircraft is very comfortable," crew says

https://twitter.com/ReutersAero/status/ ... 7103526912

SVJ77W · Thu Nov 24, 2016 11:28 am

MoonC wrote:
The live on France 3 was much better, here's the link for those who missed it:
https://www.facebook.com/France3MidiPyrenees/videos/1242149429183302/

(Skip to 33:20 for the action.)

Thanks for this link. A much nicer video than what was shown on periscope. The A350-1000 looks great. That was a lovely take-off. I can't wait to see more pictures or videos of it with the landing gears retracted.

Thanks to everyone for all the pictures and video links provided here.

A330freak · Thu Nov 24, 2016 11:34 am

#Airbus A350-1000 now exploring flight envelope at 10,000 feet, reached maximum speed for this flight of 255 knots. Went as low as 140 knot

https://twitter.com/ReutersAero/status/ ... 5835031552

Latest @Airbus #A350FF update:
- All flaps configurations have been explored
- maximum speed for for the altitude has also been reached. ✈️

https://twitter.com/AlexInAir/status/801749920269090816

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 11:34 am

A330freak wrote:
Plan for what they're doing on the first flight

https://twitter.com/ReutersAero/status/ ... 8207602689
also,
#Airbus #A350-1000 at 10-15,000 feet, checked pressurisation ok, to shortly climb to 25,0000. "The aircraft is very comfortable," crew says

https://twitter.com/ReutersAero/status/ ... 7103526912

Thank you for the links. Excellent information here, with updates.

Richard28 · Thu Nov 24, 2016 12:18 pm

Thanks a330freak... based on that timeline she should climb from 10,000 feet in next ten minutes or so...

KarelXWB · Thu Nov 24, 2016 12:22 pm

Current speed is 345 kts.

flee · Thu Nov 24, 2016 12:44 pm

Its now doing 398 knots at 12,000 ft.

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 12:59 pm

flee wrote:
Its now doing 398 knots at 12,000 ft.

to shortly climb to 25,0000? Is this confirmed? I am following the flight on FR24.

KarelXWB · Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:06 pm

It's climbing now, flying at FL200.

zkojq · Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:09 pm

Now level @ FL250

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:39 pm

zkojq wrote:
Now level @ FL250

Highest I saw was 25,200
fastest was 456 kts.

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:46 pm

They heve been up in the air 4 hours at this time. Maybe time for landing soon, with a flypast before hand?

sadiqutp · Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:51 pm

Any streaming link for landing?

flee · Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:58 pm

Just did a flypast over TLS at 1,000 ft

zkojq · Thu Nov 24, 2016 1:58 pm

Looks like it just did a low flypast of the airport. Hopefully some spotters got some nice photos of it!

KarelXWB · Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:03 pm

MSN 59 just touched down with a speed of 140 kts.

A330freak · Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:04 pm

Video of the flypast

https://twitter.com/AlexInAir/status/801787841156104197

And at this stage Airbus has put quite a few pictures from earlier in the day on their photo gallery
http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/press ... s-photos/#

zkojq · Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:08 pm

Bravo to everyone at Airbus for a successful first flight.

A330freak wrote:
Video of the flypast
https://twitter.com/AlexInAir/status/801787841156104197

And at this stage Airbus has put quite a few pictures from earlier in the day on their photo gallery
http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/press ... s-photos/#

Excellent. The weather was a bit gloomy in TLS. I'm looking forward to the inevitable air to air shots which always look fantastic.

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:12 pm

A330freak wrote:
Video of the flypast
https://twitter.com/AlexInAir/status/801787841156104197

Quote Twitter: The media could not be played.

How nice... that said... I am not one with the latest equipment... they made Concorde with much less than that back in the days...

I have 10 screen captures of various episodes of this maiden flight from FR24.
LOL

ThReaTeN · Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:38 pm

Pretty stunning how awfully this was handled from a media perspective by Airbus. The videos of the take-off are difficult to find (try making a search at Youtube) and all shot in low quality (both in terms of pure picture quality and in terms of composition - aside from the long distances and lack of zoom, that the A350-1000 was actually out of frame for a short while after take-off in one of the - few - available videos has already been mentioned). There seems to be no video of the landing available at all - was it even recorded?

What a massive waste of a PR opportunity.

KarelXWB · Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:41 pm

And a few photos of the landing:

https://twitter.com/Airbus

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:45 pm

ThReaTeN wrote:
Pretty stunning how awfully this was handled from a media perspective by Airbus. The videos of the take-off are difficult to find (try making a search at Youtube) and all shot in low quality (both in terms of pure picture quality and in terms of composition - aside from the long distances and lack of zoom, that the A350-1000 was actually out of frame for a short while after take-off in one of the - few - available videos has already been mentioned). There seems to be no video of the landing available at all - was it even recorded?

What a massive waste of a PR opportunity.

Airbus Media MEGA FAIL

rbrunner · Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:48 pm

ThReaTeN wrote:
Pretty stunning how awfully this was handled from a media perspective by Airbus. The videos of the take-off are difficult to find (try making a search at Youtube) and all shot in low quality (both in terms of pure picture quality and in terms of composition - aside from the long distances and lack of zoom, that the A350-1000 was actually out of frame for a short while after take-off in one of the - few - available videos has already been mentioned). There seems to be no video of the landing available at all - was it even recorded?

What a massive waste of a PR opportunity.

Certainly nothing compared to her shorter sister's FF, but that could be the reason for it. It's a stretch, a derivative, as we all know. Still... I would like to have seen proper cover.

KarelXWB · Thu Nov 24, 2016 3:38 pm

And some in flight photos:

https://twitter.com/Airbus

zkojq · Thu Nov 24, 2016 3:57 pm

Oh wow. Stunning doesn't describe the half of it. What a beauty!!

keesje · Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:05 pm

Missed all today :bored:

But then compressed the total FF experience in 3 minutes. :hyper:

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:06 pm

A350-1000

An improved A340-600 with two engines, a lighter frame and upgraded avionics?

http://i.imgur.com/woasW2u.jpg

http://imgur.com/a/7PGJy

:airplane:

JamesAlice · Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:20 pm

I was wondering, why is it that the initial phase is carried out with the gear down? Are they looking to test the performance with the drag it creates?

WIederling · Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:34 pm

JamesAlice wrote:
I was wondering, why is it that the initial phase is carried out with the gear down? Are they looking to test the performance with the drag it creates?

contingency.
If anything goes pear shaped during FF the gear is already "out" and not "in".

seahawk · Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:38 pm

The new A346.

StTim · Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:42 pm

In what way is it the new 346?

You can make an argument re length but that is about all. If they do a further stretch you may even be able to say on fineness but on key aspects I think it is a very false analogy.

SomebodyInTLS · Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:46 pm

ThReaTeN wrote:
Pretty stunning how awfully this was handled from a media perspective by Airbus. The videos of the take-off are difficult to find (try making a search at Youtube) and all shot in low quality (both in terms of pure picture quality and in terms of composition - aside from the long distances and lack of zoom, that the A350-1000 was actually out of frame for a short while after take-off in one of the - few - available videos has already been mentioned). There seems to be no video of the landing available at all - was it even recorded?

What a massive waste of a PR opportunity.

Coincidence would have it that I was at a conference and just about to give a lecture - but we managed to catch the important few seconds of blurry, badly-composed frames on the Periscope feed before I got started (through the silly hearts and idiots saying "hi").

And coincidence would again have it that I just caught the landing roll-out on the internal live TV as I walked into the office later. That was professional-looking, so I'm sure plenty of good coverage will hit the tubes tomorrow.

JeremyB · Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:51 pm

JamesAlice wrote:
I was wondering, why is it that the initial phase is carried out with the gear down? Are they looking to test the performance with the drag it creates?

I think it's just for safety reasons. If something happens and they need to return to the airport for an emergency landing asap and the gear doesn't drop down.. you certainly wouldn't want your plane to make a belly landing on it's first flight.

Leslieville · Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:07 pm

Erebus wrote:
The thread title would suggest that this was going to be a discussion about the A350-1000's upcoming first flight. Somehow the 777X has been dragged into the discussion and is now moving away from the topic at hand.

Heaven forbid the A350-1000's direct competitor is discussed in a thread about the A350-1000. Its first flight is a major milestone in its development, but don't forget that the purpose of its development is to provide the market with a compelling alternative to the B777. Comparing and contrasting the aircraft doesn't seem like a leap to me at all.

Back on topic, this is a superbly proportioned aircraft and I'm very excited to see it in its element. I've been eagerly following its development, and since the 77W is my favourite airplane, I've been keen to see the form that a answer from Airbus would take. I am ecstatic to fly on one in the years ahead.

mariner · Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:22 pm

MadameConcorde wrote:
Airbus Media MEGA FAIL

How so?

I'm an old man and computer illiterate, but I had two screens open to different links provided in this thread and saw the whole thing.

I think it's one of the most elegant aircraft around - just beautiful.

mariner

RalXWB · Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:30 pm

New A346?

Certain people must be mad, because the 777 monopoly is over. Anyway, congratulations Airbus. What a beauty, now waiting for the -2000 8-)

TheF15Ace · Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:36 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDY7oPUti8I

Airbus video is up

kurtverbose · Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:50 pm

TheF15Ace wrote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDY7oPUti8I

Airbus video is up

Awful. No engine spool up, No full take off run. No gear/flaps retracted. No full landing. No thrust reversers deployed.

Add that to the frankly absurdly dire media performance from Airbus today.

scbriml · Thu Nov 24, 2016 7:26 pm

kurtverbose wrote:
No gear/flaps retracted.

Gear shown being retracted at 0:55 in the video.

kurtverbose · Thu Nov 24, 2016 7:36 pm

scbriml wrote:
kurtverbose wrote:
No gear/flaps retracted.

Gear shown being retracted at 0:55 in the video.

Only a partial sequence though.

MadameConcorde · Thu Nov 24, 2016 7:45 pm

RMC Découverte has a program tonight with the A350.
I am not sure if they will have the -1000... I have no idea..

This is the direct link - airing now.
http://rmcdecouverte.bfmtv.com/mediaplayer-direct/

:airplane:

I am sure they will have replays.

TW870 · Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:12 pm

What a striking airplane. I generally am interested in aviation for historical reasons, and focus on older aircraft. But this thing looks fantastic and so original. I think the wide chord of the inner wing makes it look very dramatic in flight, especially when compared to the very narrow outer chord and thin winglet. It almost looks like a slight delta wing when viewed in a turn from abeam the center of the aircraft. I actually think the weird racoon eyes give it the distinctiveness it needs in a field of so many other large twins. The tiny vertical stab is certainly noticeable, but I actually think it adds to distinctiveness of the whole package and does not look particularly out of scale. Overall I think it lacks the grace of the 747 but is highly eye-catching.

RayChuang · Fri Nov 25, 2016 12:42 am

I do, however, have concerns about the relatively small size of the vertical tail, unless Airbus did a lot of wind tunnel testing and tweaking of the fly-by-wire system to reduce the potential for Dutch roll. (If I remember correctly, the early 707's had a tendency to Dutch roll until they got the taller vertical tail.)

BoeingVista · Fri Nov 25, 2016 1:27 am

RayChuang wrote:
I do, however, have concerns about the relatively small size of the vertical tail, unless Airbus did a lot of wind tunnel testing and tweaking of the fly-by-wire system to reduce the potential for Dutch roll. (If I remember correctly, the early 707's had a tendency to Dutch roll until they got the taller vertical tail.)

You think that this just slipped past Airbus for the last decade of development?

Erebus · Fri Nov 25, 2016 3:04 am

Leslieville wrote:
Erebus wrote:
The thread title would suggest that this was going to be a discussion about the A350-1000's upcoming first flight. Somehow the 777X has been dragged into the discussion and is now moving away from the topic at hand.

Heaven forbid the A350-1000's direct competitor is discussed in a thread about the A350-1000. Its first flight is a major milestone in its development, but don't forget that the purpose of its development is to provide the market with a compelling alternative to the B777. Comparing and contrasting the aircraft doesn't seem like a leap to me at all.

I understand that as a competitor the A350-1000 invites the 777 into the discussion. Maybe it's just me, but I thought, must we really turn every single thread about the -1000 into a this vs. that conversation when we have several other threads to follow up on such discussions? I came here for new developments and updates on the first flight as an event and am glad to see the good coverage by several posters above. Stunning pictures.

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