Germany Group members visit testing of Airbus A350

Successful visit sees highest attendance for a technical visit to date

The Germany Group recorded its best attendance for a technical visit when on Friday 24 June a group of 27 visited the ongoing structural testing of the new Airbus A350, which is currently being carried out by IABG on behalf of Airbus at their test centre in Erding, Southern Germany.

The testing involves full scale, flight-by-flight simulated fatigue testing of the centre section of the fuselage and both main wings.  A complicated array of hydraulic actuators loads and deflects the wings whilst the pressure in the fuselage is raised and lowered by compressed air to complete the simulation of the complete ground-air-ground cycle.  The effect to the observer is somewhat like watching a large bird attempt to become airborne. 

Not surprisingly, the test equipment, which included the control system for the hydraulic actuators and the compressor equipment necessary for the pressurisation of the fuselage, was of an impressive scale and all but filled a hangar capable of housing an entire A350 aircraft (see picture above).  The visitors were amazed to find out that the whole test site including the hangar (which is owned and operated by IABG) is of modular construction and was built solely for the Airbus tests.  It can be dismantled and moved to other sites as soon as the A350 tests are complete, unless a need arises to keep it in service for other Airbus tests.    

The visitors were given a full briefing on the design and objectives of the test programme by Airbus engineer in charge, David Eyre-Jackson CEng MIMechE (second from right in the picture above).  David, who incidentally is based at the Airbus facility in Hamburg, some 800 km distant from Erding, serves also as the Germany Group representative for Northern Germany.

Andy Storer, the recently-elected Germany Group Chair said: "The visit provided a fascinating insight into the complexities of aircraft design, particularly in the age of composite materials.  We could see the effects of gusts and manoeuvres experienced during flight being applied in addition to the normal lifting forces on the wings.  The event attracted a superb response – almost twice the number of attendees than we had originally planned for – and were blessed with good weather.  This meant we were able to sample the other delights of Erding, notably the world famous Erdinger Weissbeir, to take our minds off the Brexit that had just been announced.  Notwithstanding, a thoroughly good day was had by all, including our youngest potential member, aged 11!”