A350's Trent XWB engine runs for first time

Rolls-Royce has conducted a first-time run of its new Trent XWB engine for the Airbus A350 family. The engine ran yesterday on a test-bed at the manufacturer's Derby facility.

Rolls-Royce says the operation initiates the "most extensive pre-flight programme in Trent history", ahead of flight tests on an A380 in 2011.

Seven Trent XWB development engines will be operating by early next year, says the company, while flight-testing is scheduled to start on the A350 in 2012. Continue reading...