Component Being Manufactured By Eurocopter

In a ceremony in Eurocopter's Donauwörth, Germany C4 production building, Dr. Wolfgang Schoder, Eurocopter Executive Vice President - Programs, and Dr. Michael Rehmet, Vice President - Airplane Door Systems, marked the delivery of Eurocopter’s initial A350 XWB jetliner passenger door, saying the event represents a milestone in a program that underscores synergies between helicopter production and the construction of carbon fiber aircraft components.

As prime contractor and system supplier, Eurocopter is providing a full set of door systems that will equip this latest widebody member of Airbus’ jetliner family. “The development and manufacture of aircraft components is another mainstay of Eurocopter’s activities in Germany, which complements our helicopter production,” Schoder explained. “The A350 XWB’s door systems demonstrate our innovative strength and international competitiveness in the field of carbon fiber technology.”

The A350 XWB passenger doors are the first for a commercial aircraft to be made entirely of carbon fiber reinforced plastic – an ideal material for modern aircraft construction, which is characterized by its combination of lightness and rigidity, as well as its outstanding fatigue properties and corrosion resistance. Benefits of Eurocopter’s technical innovation in the A350 XWB aircraft doors include a reduction in parts, the application of advanced mechanical systems and equipment that are easier to maintain, and additional safety features. Series production is handled at the company’s Donauwörth site in a new building designed to meet the exacting requirements of automated production methods and quality control at high production rates.

“Assembly of the A350 XWB is progressing well and all the teams and suppliers, like Eurocopter, are strongly focused on working together to deliver a best-in-class aircraft at entry into service,” said Didier Evrard, Executive Vice President – Head of A350 XWB Programme, Airbus. “The A350 XWB brings together the latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies from Airbus and our partners to provide a 25 percent step-change in fuel efficiency compared to the competition.”

In addition to the passenger door presented to Airbus this week, five cargo doors already have been delivered. A total of seven door shipsets for the A350 XWB are slated for delivery in 2012 – each composed of four pairs of passenger doors, two cargo doors and one baggage door.

FMI: www.eads.com