Airbus’ Getafe, Spain production facility delivers the first A350-1000 horizontal tail plane

Airbus has reached another A350 XWB programme milestone with start-up of A350-1000 horizontal tail plane deliveries from the company’s Getafe, Spain facility.

The initial A350-1000 horizontal tail plane will be integrated on Airbus’ no. 1 flight test aircraft, which currently is going through its final assembly process in Toulouse, France, as per planning.

Commenting on the delivery, Luis Guerra Pena – Product Development Team leader A350-1000 Rear Fuselage Empennage in Spain – said that Airbus’ Getafe facility “has written another page in Spanish aeronautical history.” He added this delivery is another sign of Airbus in Spain’s commitment to the programme, with the team deserving to be proud of its excellent work.

The A350-1000 is the longest-fuselage member of Airbus’ A350 XWB family, and its horizontal tail plane is identical to the baseline A350-900 version – which entered commercial operations in January 2015.

Airbus production facilities in Spain are responsible for the manufacture of horizontal tail planes used on all Airbus aircraft.  For the A350-900 and A350-1000, the tail plane has a 19-metre span and a surface area of 82 square metres.