Engines
Trent XWB-97 For A350-1000 Makes First Test Flight
Rolls-Royce has achieved the first test flight with its 97,000-pound thrust Trent XWB-97 turbofan.
Rolls-Royce's new Trent XWB-97 turbofan made a first flight on an A380 flying testbed today. [Photo: Airbus]
Rolls-Royce's new Trent XWB-97 turbofan made a first flight on an A380 flying testbed today. [Photo: Airbus]

The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine being developed for the Airbus A350-1000 widebody made its first flight test today on the European airframer’s A380 flying test bed. The aircraft took off from the Airbus factory in Toulouse and flew 4 hours and 14 minutes, during which time it covered a wide range of power settings at altitudes of up to 35,000 feet. The new turbofan’s operation and handling qualities were evaluated from low speeds up to Mach 0.87.


Loading…