Posted on 01/27/2007 7:02:36 AM PST by lowbuck
Airbus appears to be moving toward adopting a solid composite barrel for its A350 XWB after receiving mixed feedback on its plan to use composite panels on an aluminum frame.
According to industry analysts, trade studies are underway in Toulouse for the change. Last fall ATWOnline revealed that Airbus was swapping to a composite structure (ATWOnline, Oct. 25, 2006) and that the aircraft's EIS would slip to 2014.
The latest mooted change would not surprise Emirates President Tim Clark, who told this website yesterday that he feels the future lies in a 787-style structure. "That is the way [the industry] is going to go," he said.
Clark said the A350 XWB remains a bit of a mystery, adding that he doesn't want to discuss the aircraft with Airbus until it freezes the design. The 2014 timeline is a concern, although he said he does not want the manufacturer to rush the design, and he wants to see two engine-makers commit to the program, which "presents a problem for GE for the A350-1000." He added, "That said, we will still look at the A350 and what guarantees on performance and delivery Airbus are offering."
Like others, Clark has reservations about Airbus's ability to tackle both the 787-8 and the 777-300ER with one aircraft family. "If they succeed, Eureka. If not, well, it's a gamble."
Emirates would like to be in detailed discussions on the A350-1000 and the 787-10 by mid-year for an order for 60-100 aircraft. The order will not be split. On the 787-10 Clark would like to see more range, which Boeing is working to deliver.
Here's a stupid question, how do the aircraft manufacturors get the lightening strikes to dissapate from these carbon/composite fuselage structures?
When a carbon fiber mast is struck, usaully there are disaterous consequences. What happens on aircraft? Just wondering.
ping
It says it is used on the 757, Citation 3, and F-16 among others.
If the fuselage is solid, I guess the passengers will ride on the outside of the plane.
It's a good question indeed.
Unlike with metall hull planes the charges will not flow around the aircrafts hull but will find the metal parts (turbines etc.) and flow around them.
Since the aircraft is not on ground potential the energy lost on the aircraft will be rather small - normaly only some paint will be missing.
I hope :)
And the fact that the 787 doesn't exist yet.
As I say, time will tell. Meanwhile this http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1781943/posts
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