Initial carbonfibre wing covers for the first Airbus A350-1000 have been completed, as structural work on the largest member of the family progresses.
Upper and lower wing covers have respectively been readied at the plants in Stade and Illescas.
Airbus says the Nordenham facility of Premium Aerotec has started producing carbonfibre layers for the -1000’s fuselage.
Production of the first rear fuselage section is also under way, says the airframer.
Over the course of the current quarter work will begin at Stade on the vertical fin for the -1000 as well as the engine pylon at St Eloi.
Rolls-Royce has already carried out, earlier this year, initial engine runs of the higher-thrust Trent XWB-97 powerplant for the type. The engine will be flown on an A380 testbed next year.
Airbus has previously said that it intends to begin centre wing-box assembly for the -1000 by the end of this year.
Flight testing of the 350-seat aircraft is scheduled to start in summer 2016 for entry into service in 2017.
Airbus has secured orders for 169 of the type, with Qatar Airways, United Airlines and Cathay Pacific the largest customers.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
