CASA, the Airbus partner responsible for the manufacture of horizontal stabilisers, has begun fatigue testing a test specimen for the Airbus A3XX, made of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The specimen, similar in size to an Airbus A310 wing, would be the largest CFRP flying surface ever built, says Airbus, which is also examining the use of new materials for the A3XX, including the Glare fibre-metal laminate.
Source: Flight International