Aircraft
Airbus Gears Up for A350-900 Service Entry
A350-1000 XWB production now under way
Airbus has received approval for a common A330/A350 type rating. (Photo: Airbus)
Airbus has received approval for a common A330/A350 type rating. (Photo: Airbus)

After gaining 370-minute Etops certification for the A350-900 earlier this month, Airbus continues preparations for entry into service with additional approvals such as in-cockpit Wi-Fi and A330 common type rating (CTR), while also expanding parts inventories near customer bases.

Airbus has received regulatory approval for A330/A350 CTR, meaning that pilots current and qualified on the A330 can now start their instruction using only “differences training,” which does not call for a full-flight simulator. Airbus claims the approach reduces the training time by 65 percent, to only eight days, most notably because the two types share similar handling qualities, as EASA and FAA pilots recently verified.

Loading…