HI-RES PHOTOS: First Airbus A350 XWB That Will Fly Completes Main Structural Assembly

The first A350 XWB flight test aircraft has moved to the Station 30 ground test station at Airbus’ final assembly line in Toulouse, France following its structural assembly and initial electrical power-on in the facility’s main assembly hall (Station 40) . Image from Airbus. Click for larger.

This is a copy and paste from a press release issued by Airbus…

Airbus has successfully completed the main structural assembly and system connection of A350 XWB ‘MSN1’ – the first flight-test aircraft. The aircraft is depicted here on its wheels for the very first time moving out of the main assembly hall (Station 40) at the recently inaugurated “Roger Béteille” A350 XWB Final Assembly Line in Toulouse. It then entered the adjacent indoor ground test station (Station 30).

The structurally-complete no. 1 A350 XWB flight test aircraft is shown during its transfer at the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France – moving from Station 40 in the main assembly hall to the adjacent indoor ground test station (Station 30) . Image from Airbus. Click for larger.

The assembly work performed in Station 40 included the successful electrical power-on of the aircraft’s entire fuselage and wings. Soon work in Station 30 will start by testing the aircraft’s hydraulic system, followed by the full electric and hydraulic power-on of the aircraft which will be completed by around the end of the year. This will mark the start of several weeks of comprehensive functional system testing.

With its main structural assembly and system connections complete, the first A350 XWB flight test aircraft (designated MSN1) was moved from the main assembly hall to the adjacent indoor ground test station at Airbus’ final assembly line in Toulouse, France . Image from Airbus. Click for larger.

After the A350 XWB MSN1 exits station 30, the aircraft will go through a series of extensive production and certification / development tests, be painted and have its engines installed. It will then be delivered to the flight-line and be readied for its first flight in mid-2013.