The A350 XWB flight test aircraft (MSN3) has arrived at Singapore Changi Airport for the Singapore Airshow where it will perform its first ever airshow flying display on the 11th and 12th February.

On its way to Singapore, MSN3 passed the milestone of the first 1000 flight test hours for the A350 XWB programme since the first flight with MSN1 on 14th June 2013. Overall the five A350 flight test aircraft will fly 2,500 fight test hours in just over 12 months. This achievement is further demonstration of the steady progress the programme is making on its way to type certification in Q3 2014.

Currently two A350 XWB flight test aircraft are flying, MSN1 and MSN3. Both aircraft are fitted with heavy test instrumentation and are successfully carrying out performance and systems evaluations in extreme environmental conditions and are starting Certification testing. MSN2 and MSN5 will be fitted with cabins, and will carry out the Early Long Flights and Route Proving Flights later this year. MSN4 will be fitted with light flight test instrumentation and will perform external noise and lightning tests, avionics development and certification testing. This aircraft will also be used to start the training for first customer pilots and maintenance teams.

Already during the first 1000 flight test hours, in January 2014, MSN 3 successfully completed high altitude trials in La Paz Bolivia and cold weather trials in Iqaluit, Canada.

Airbus Group press release