air-cargo

Airbus to Begin Flutter Tests on A350 Freighter Prototype

Airbus will conduct flight vibration tests on its A350 freighter variant during the initial three months of its flight test program, moving the aircraft closer to service entry. The flutter tests will push the A350F to its maximum dive speed and Mach number, marking critical final steps before regulatory clearance. The first A350F has completed extensive ground testing in Toulouse and test-rig demonstrations in Bremen for the Main-Deck Cargo Door actuation and Cargo Loading System. A three-day Ground Vibration Test took place in Toulouse in June. During this test, controlled vibrations measured the aircraft's dynamic response and validated aeroelastic models essential for flight envelope expansion. Preparation involved installing sensors, electrodynamic shakers and data acquisition systems. Accelerometers captured structural characteristics as control surfaces and external shakers excited the airframe.