Airbus has completed the first phase of the A350XWB flight test bed (FTB) campaign, including testing of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine and Goodrich nacelle system. The campaign comprises more than 100 hours of running time and nearly 80 flight hours.

Engine and nacelle operations were “extensively checked and test measurements were performed at all power settings throughout the flight envelope,” said Airbus, which added that “positive trends were noted…engine and system behavior was very satisfactory and no reliability issues were encountered…engine handling was excellent.” The tests also confirmed that the engine is “on track to deliver its [required] specific fuel consumption.”

The second phase of the FTB campaign will start later this summer in an effort to consolidate results obtained in Phase 1, do some fine-tuning and undertake a hot-weather campaign.