The first of the two A350F freighter test aircraft, MSN 700, completed its first flight in late September.
The A350F aircraft, which was kitted out with special flight test instrumentation, flew for four hours and 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet, flown by a dedicated Airbus Flight Test crew.
The freighter test aircraft has the latest Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% compared to competitor aircraft with a similar payload-range capability, Airbus says
According to Airbus, the A350F has already recorded 115 orders from 14 disclosed customers and captured up to 59% market share in the large freighter category. “This maiden flight is a major milestone for the A350F and for our customers worldwide. As the latest development of our highly successful A350 platform, the A350F is a true game-changer for the air cargo market, combining unmatched operational flexibility, fuel efficiency, and range,” stated Lars Wagner, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus.
“I am immensely proud of the extraordinary dedication and hard work of all the teams who have made this achievement possible.”
As part of the inaugural flight, its crew carried out tests focused on verifying the basic airworthiness, fundamental flying qualities, and ensuring basic systems perform as predicted.
The second A350F prototype will be entering the paint shop in the next few weeks. The A350F has a range capability of up to 8,700 kilometres and a payload of up to 111 tonnes, allowing operators to deploy it on international long-haul routes. It has been made of over 70% advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonnes lighter maximum take-off weight (MTOW) compared to competitor aircraft according to Airbus.
