Main Components Of The First Airplane Moving Towards Final Assembly

The first A350 XWB center wing box has been delivered from Airbus’ site in Nantes, France to Airbus’ St Nazaire, France facility where it will be assembled into the first A350 XWB fuselage. The component is made from 40% carbon fiber reinforced plastics, measures 21 feet by 18 feet and is nearly 13 feet tall.

Loaded on to a special transport jig, the A350 XWB center wing box left Nantes by river barge, together with an A380 center wing box, travelling along the Loire River to reach St Nazaire a few hours later. Once the part is installed in to the A350 XWB fuselage, the sub-assembly will then be flown by Beluga from St Nazaire to Airbus’ brand new A350 XWB final assembly line in Toulouse, France.

“This is a great milestone and marks a significant step forwards for the A350 XWB programme as we get closer to the start of final assembly of the first aircraft”, said Didier Evrard, Head of the A350 XWB programme. “The delivery of the first A350 XWB center wing box is the result of the team’s shear hard work, expertise in the design and manufacturing of complex, large composite structures and their strong commitment to deliver to our customers on time and on quality.”

The first composite lay-up for the A350 XWB took place in Nantes in December 2009, marking the coming to life of the aircraft.  The biggest panels produced for the center wing-box, entirely made of carbon fiber, have a surface area of 387 square feet, making them the largest “monobloc” composite panels ever manufactured in Nantes.

Along with other Airbus facilities around the world, the Airbus plant in Nantes has a high expertise in composite material and is a leader in the manufacture and assembly of carbon fiber structural parts, such as the center wing box and the keel beam for the A350 XWB. The A350 XWB structure is 53 per cent composite-based, including major elements such as wings and fuselage. (Photos courtesy Airbus)

FMI: www.airbus.com