Five percent of A350 XWB Airframe To Be Made In China, China
Southern's First A380 Gets A Tail
CAC Commercial Aircraft Company, one of
the largest aviation companies in China signed a contract Wednesday
with Airbus for the work package of A350 XWB spoilers and droop
panels. With the new contract, Airbus has completed the
allocation of the five percent A350 XWB airframe to be manufactured
in China.
The contract was signed in Beijing by Klaus Richter, Airbus
Executive Vice President Procurement, and Wang Guangya, President
and Chairman of CAC, the holding company of CCAC, and Chairman of
CCAC.
Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Center, a joint venture of Airbus
in China, will be involved in the design activities relating to
this work package.
Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is extensively used on A350 XWB
spoiler and droop panels. Innovative processes include the resin
transfer molding process on the center hinge fitting that attaches
the spoiler to the wing structure.
Airbus A350 XWB File Photo
While CCAC will become the sole supplier of the A350 XWB
spoilers and droop panels, FACC AG will be responsible, under a
separate contract, for the definition of the industrial process.
Airbus worldwide industrial standards will be applied for the
assessment of the products and the training of employees.
“We are proud to be involved in the latest Airbus aircraft
program. With this contract, we have reached our objective to be
part of a global aeronautical manufacturing chain. We have long
been a supplier to Airbus and have been a partner in several
cooperation projects with Airbus. We cherish this opportunity very
much to cooperate with Airbus and with FACC,” said Wang
Guangya, President and Chairman of CAC and Chairman of CCAC.
“With this work package, we have accomplished our
commitment to manufacture five percent of the A350 XWB airframe in
China,” said Klaus Richter, Airbus Executive Vice President,
Procurement. “Besides, this is also an important step forward
for Airbus to develop a truly global industrial and engineering
footprint, which helps Airbus to create a competitive cost base and
access talented global resources,” he added.
Firm orders for the A350 XWB now stand at 528 from 33 customers
worldwide.
And also marking the celebration, China Southern Airlines' first
A380 has been fitted with its new tail section at the Airbus Final
Assembly Line located in Toulouse, France.
The impressive tail, when joined at the fuselage, stands a
whopping 78 feet from the ground.
China Southern Airlines is a new A380 customer and will begin
operations in 2011. They currently have five A380s on
order.
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