Airbus opens landing gear test plant

Construction started in January 2009

Airbus has opened a landing gear systems test facility for the A350 XWB passenger aircraft at its site in Filton, Bristol.

The company said the move marked another important step forward in A350 XWB production. 

The A350 XWB is a midsize long-range aircraft with three basic passenger versions, seating between 270 and 350 people. The aircraft is due to enter service in 2013.

Construction of the €39m landing gear plant started in January 2009. It will contain a large bay that will house the landing gear systems’ integrated rigs, an avionics suite with test benches, a control room, parts store, and a viewing area for visitors. 

Approximately 30 full-time employees will work in the landing gear systems test facility when the rigs enter the initial test phase in mid-2011. 

The Airbus site at Filton is responsible for the specification, procurement, integration and certification of all Airbus aircraft landing gear and associated systems. 

The test facility would demonstrate the maturity of the landing gear system and provide evidence for the certification of the landing gear and systems, especially the extension-retraction and braking systems, Airbus said.

Last month engineering consultancy Atkins, also based in Bristol, won what it said was a “very significant” contract to supply engineering services for Airbus landing gear.