Aircraft

Electrical structure adds mass

Several elements have contributed to the rise in the manufacturer's weight empty, says A350 chief engineer Gordon McConnell: "This was the first sizing of the electrical structural network [needed to provide current return with the composite fuselage frames] and we had to add some weight for that which we didn't expect."

The work Airbus has been doing with systems suppliers "has allowed us to get a more accurate weight for the system equipment and the installation", he says. Airbus has completed 4,000h of A350 windtunnel testing - three-quarters of which have been low-speed trials - and McConnell says wing aerodynamic improvements to reduce drag "have cost us some increase in loads and therefore weight".

Weight-reduction efforts are ongoing to mitigate the impact of the weight gain as the A350-900 heads towards its detailed definition freeze. First flight is due in early 2012 and service entry in mid-2013 with Qatar Airways after an 18-month flight-test programme.

Airbus has completed 4,000h of A350 windtunnel testing