Airbus rolls out its third Airbus A350, this one in a “Carbon” signature livery

Airbus (Toulouse) yesterday (January 2) rolled-out its third A350 XWB flight-test aircraft (msn 002) from the paint shop in Toulouse.

The new type is expected to enter service in the fourth quarter of this year.

The pictured Airbus A350-941 F-WWCF wears a distinctive “Carbon” signature livery to reflect its primary construction from advanced materials. This aircraft is also the first of two A350 flight test aircraft to be equipped with a full passenger cabin interior.

F-WWCF will join the A350 XWB flight test fleet in the coming weeks and will be the first A350 to transport passengers when it undertakes the Early Long Flights (ELF) later in the year.

Composite materials in Airbus aircraft have seen a step-by-step introduction that started with the A310 which was first rolled-out in February 1982. Benefiting from over 30 years of composite material experience, 53% of the A350 XWB’s airframe is made-up of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) including Airbus’ first carbon-fiber fuselage.

Filed under: Airbus Tagged: 002, A350, a350 xwb, A350-900, A350-941, Airbus, Airbus A350, Airbus A350-900, airbus aircraft, Carbon Fiber, Carbon Signature Livery, F-WWCF, TLS, Toulouse