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The entry into service of the Airbus A350F has taken another step towards becoming a reality, with the European planemaker announcing earlier today that its new freighter had officially begun its ground testing procedures. These tests, Airbus explains, are a huge challenge for the manufacturer, as well as being evidence of, as the firm puts it, “the complexity of bringing a new aircraft variant to market.” They are done during final assembly.
While ground testing is always a complex matter, as has to be the case when it comes to certifying aircraft in such a safety-critical industry, the A350F provides a unique challenge on account of its various brand-new features. Let’s take a closer look at what Airbus is doing at this stage, and why exactly it matters.
The Challenge Of Testing An Aircraft’s Drainage System
As seen above, one of the major components of the Airbus A350 freighter’s ongoing ground tests is checking that its drainage system works. Airbus explains that “the external drainage of water from the cargo holds” is “probably the most dramatic ground testing challenge” faced by its team. The goal of this is to ensure that, when the main deck gets wet from snow or cleaning procedures, the residual water can drain without stagnating.
While filling and draining the jet’s pipes “sounds simple,” Airbus’s Guillaume Terrien explains that this procedure is “actually one of the most complex systems” involved in the current batch of tests. This is because it has to be carried out in a strictly controlled environment. Specifically, Terrien says that “the test has to be performed with the aircraft floor in a zero-degree inclination, using specific test means to fill all the pipes.” He adds that:
“Specific ‘test means’ have been developed to flood the system with more than 180 liters of water to check the tightness and ensure proper evacuation from the 50-meter-long main compartment.”
A New Aircraft Requires New Tests
As it happens, the A350F’s drainage system is one of many parts of the jet that have to be thoroughly examined as part of its ground testing program. The others, Airbus explains, include the Cargo Loading System and the Tail Tipping Warning System. For the latter, which “prevents the aircraft from tipping onto its tail during loading,” Airbus says that “teams use specific equipment that ‘tricks’ the sensors by simulating a landing gear extension.”
The Cargo Loading System has had its ground testing procedures streamlined in order to save time. As this system “comprises hundreds of electrical components on the floor,” which would take a long time to test individually, Airbus has simplified this procedure by devising automated self-tests of the wiring that can be carried out via the cockpit computer. These are thus tested within a matter of minutes as soon as the Airbus A350F is powered on.
With the A350F featuring many systems that are either brand-new or represent major modifications, its ground testing program stands to be more complex than that of other jets. Indeed, among the other aspects that will be assessed as part of this initiative are its main-deck cargo door, ‘courier’ area with seating for up to 10 occupants, water & waste system, multi-zonal air distribution system, oxygen system, and video-monitoring system.
Airbus Built The A350F, But Why Hasn’t Boeing Produced A 787 Freighter?
Boeing is addressing the A350F with another aircraft.
All About The Airbus A350F
The Airbus A350F sits between the passenger-carrying A350-900 and A350-1000 variants. Indeed, these models respectively measure 66.8 meters (219.2 feet) and 73.79 meters (242.1 feet) in length, while the A350F clocks in at 70.8 meters (232.2 feet) long. Structurally speaking, however, it is closer to the larger Airbus A350-1000 variant with which it shares the same engines and wings. Its range, however, is lower, at 4,700 NM (8,700 km).
According to present fleet data made available by ch-aviation, Airbus has racked up a grand total of more than 100 firm orders for the A350F to date. Atlas Air is the largest customer, having committed to 20, followed by Etihad Airways and Starlux Airlines on ten apiece. Smaller orders are held by Air China, Air France, CMA CGM, Cathay Pacific, MNG, Martinair, Silk Way West, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, and 13 orders are unassigned.
