Daily Archives: Dec. 8, 2010

Airbus starts production of first fuselage barrel for A350 XWB

Dec. 8, 201010:24 a.m.

Airbus announced it’s started production of the first composite fiber barrel for the A350 XWB fuselage at its Illescas, Spain, plant.

The plant is making what’s called Section 19, or the rear portion of the fuselage.

The majority of the fuselage is made from carbon fiber panels.

Airbus says good progress is being made on the aircraft. Production has begun on the upper wing cover at Stade, Germany, and assembly of the first center wing box and keel beam in Nantes, France.

Spirit AeroSystems’ plant in Kinston, N.C., has completed the first “long crown” panel for the plane’s center fuselage.

Airbus is planning three passenger versions of the A350 XWB with seats from 270 to 440, depending on the version.

The first A350-900 is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2013.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Airbus, aircraft manufacturers | Comments

CitationAir by Cessna unveils Jet Acess program

Dec. 8, 201010:01 a.m.

CitationAir by Cessna, a fractional ownership company, has added a program called Jet Access, which allows customers to fly without the risk of buying a share of an aircraft.

The program lets customers lock in a minimum of 50 hours of travel at a fixed rate for 36 months without a long-term commitment or large capital investment, the company said.

Customers can fly on the company’s fleet of Citation XLS or Sovereign aircraft.

The program doesn’t require a customer to own a share of the aircraft, which eliminates concerns about future residual value of the plane, the company said.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, Cessna | Comments