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Airbus Readies A350 XWB Final Assembly Line to Ramp Up Production
Airbus has completed the extension of its Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, ahead of the production startup of its A350-1000. The extension comprises three additional assembly stations that will help the airframer to ramp up the production and reach the proposed goal of at least 50 A350s built in 2016.
Interestingly, the Toulouse FAL is able to produce both the A350-900 and its stretched variant, the A350-1000, in the same streamlined assembly process. This allows teams to work in parallel, reducing assembly times, and at the same time providing enough flexibility to the company to adapt the production while keeping optimal operational costs.
The additional stations include a new “Station 50,” where the three sections of the fuselage are mated as these arrive from external production sites. This station is also where the nose landing gear, the front crew rest area and the rear galley are installed.
Airbus has also incorporated a fourth “Station 40” in this production line, where the wing mating, and the installation of the empennage, main landing gear and engine pylons take place.
Finally, Station 30 is focused on the initial ground testing of the aircraft systems. Once this is completed, the aircraft is moved out of the FAL to undergo complementary tests. Final operations in the assembly process include installation of engines and passenger cabin fittings, painting, engine run-up and flight testing prior to customer acceptance and delivery.
Recently, this FAL received the first A350-1000 fuselage sections, thus starting the final assembly of the first aircraft last February 9. According to Airbus, the first A350-1000 one of three flight test aircraft to be built, will take to the skies for its maiden sortie before the end of the year, with deliveries expected to occur in mid-2017.
Airbus has completed the extension of its Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, ahead of the production startup of its A350-1000. The extension comprises three additional assembly stations that will help the airframer to ramp up the production and reach the proposed goal of at least 50 A350s built in 2016.
Interestingly, the Toulouse FAL is able to produce both the A350-900 and its stretched variant, the A350-1000, in the same streamlined assembly process. This allows teams to work in parallel, reducing assembly times, and at the same time providing enough flexibility to the company to adapt the production while keeping optimal operational costs.
The additional stations include a new “Station 50,” where the three sections of the fuselage are mated as these arrive from external production sites. This station is also where the nose landing gear, the front crew rest area and the rear galley are installed.
Airbus has also incorporated a fourth “Station 40” in this production line, where the wing mating, and the installation of the empennage, main landing gear and engine pylons take place.
Finally, Station 30 is focused on the initial ground testing of the aircraft systems. Once this is completed, the aircraft is moved out of the FAL to undergo complementary tests. Final operations in the assembly process include installation of engines and passenger cabin fittings, painting, engine run-up and flight testing prior to customer acceptance and delivery.
Recently, this FAL received the first A350-1000 fuselage sections, thus starting the final assembly of the first aircraft last February 9. According to Airbus, the first A350-1000 one of three flight test aircraft to be built, will take to the skies for its maiden sortie before the end of the year, with deliveries expected to occur in mid-2017.
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