The A350-1000’s new engine has successfully made its first flight-test aboard Airbus’ dedicated A380 “Flying-Test-Bed” aircraft.
Source: A380_TLS_A350
The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 is the most powerful engine ever developed for an Airbus aircraft.
Source: Clement Alloing
The aircraft took off from Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse and performed a flight of 4 hours, 14 mins during which the engine covered a wide range of power settings at altitudes up to 35,000ft.
The engine’s operation and handling qualities were evaluated from low speeds to Mach 0.87.
Source: Airbus
The Trent XWB-97 development engine Serial No. 26000 was mountedon the A380’s inner left engine pylon, replacing one of the aircraft’s Trent 900 engines.
Source: Airbus
Commencing around 9 months prior to the A350-1000’s first flight, this engine flight-test program will include hot weather as well as icing condition testing campaigns, probably to be performed in Iqaluit - Nunavut, Canada.
Based on the press release “Airbus’ A350-1000 Trent XWB-97 engine begins flight-test campaign on A380 flying-test-bed”
