Flying Demonstrations, Public Tours, And Detailed Forums Part Of Schedule

An Airbus A350 flight test aircraft that will demonstrate its flying capabilities and be open for public tours, plus the newly completed Perlan Project glider that will explore the upper atmosphere and seek to set altitude records, will highlight Airbus Group’s participation at this summer’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in. The 63rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention will be held July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The Airbus A350 XWB (for “eXtra Wide Body”) will arrive on Monday, July 20, AirVenture’s opening day, with an aerial demonstration as part of that day’s afternoon air show. The two-engine aircraft is designed to transport more than 300 passengers on medium- to long-haul operations that range up to 7,750 nautical miles (8,918 statute miles). After public tours of the aircraft on Tuesday, July 21 at AirVenture’s Boeing Plaza, the A350 XWB will perform another aerial demonstration during the air show on Wednesday, July 22, prior to its departure.
 
“Airbus is pleased to bring the next generation of commercial aircraft technology, performance and comfort to Oshkosh this year, giving the public its first viewing of the A350 in North America,” said Barry Eccleston, President of Airbus Americas. “This builds on our tradition of showcasing aircraft with the aviation community at AirVenture that has included memorable appearances by our Beluga in 2003 and the Airbus A380 in 2009.”

In addition to experiencing the A350, AirVenture visitors will be able to see the new glider just completed by the Perlan Project. Airbus Group announced its partnership with (and title sponsorship of) the Airbus Perlan Mission II at EAA AirVenture 2014, supporting the Project’s effort to explore the earth’s upper atmosphere and ozone layer. The Airbus Perlan Mission II aims also to set new altitude records by flying the purpose-built, high-altitude, pressurized glider to 90-thousand feet – higher than any other manned wing-borne aircraft has flown. That flight, which will use stratospheric mountain waves and the polar vortex to sustain flight, is projected to take place in South America in 2016. Perlan Project representatives will update progress on the aircraft’s flight-test program and the mission during this year’s EAA AirVenture.
 
“A big part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is seeing the latest innovation in flight,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Airbus Group understands the importance of that at Oshkosh, and we’re very eager to see the ideas and technology they will bring here this year.”
 
Additional schedule details and activities will be announced as they are finalized.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.airventure.org