Taken from: http://www.Airbus.com

This has resulted in an unprecedented 60 per cent of the A350 airframe being made from weight-saving composite materials such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and aluminium lithium alloys.

Airbus believes that each aircraft should have the optimum combination of composites and metals to achieve the best possible performance in its market sector: using composite materials in areas where corrosion and fatigue resistance is essential and using the latest generation of advanced aluminium lithium alloys where ease and speed of repair is the key issue. This dual approach means Airbus can steadily introduce new materials as and when there is a sound commercial reason for doing so and when the expertise is already in place to ensure they are successfully applied.
For example, the decision to introduce an all-composite wing on the A350 – a first for Airbus civil aircraft – means that it will deliver exceptional low and high-speed efficiency thanks to cutting-edge design and manufacturing techniques. ‘Droop nose’ technology from the A380, whose airframe contains more composite material than any other commercial airliner flying today (25%), will also be integrated for this purpose. The A350 will also have a composite rear fuselage and tail cone, each being built for the first time in one “skin.”

Likewise, the intelligent use of third-generation aluminium lithium – which is being used in the forward and aft fuselage sections for the first time – not only delivers important weight savings due to reduced material density, but has the added advantage that repairs to these parts can be carried out using existing aluminium repair techniques and methods.

On the A350 the result is a stronger, more durable structure and an eight tonne (17,600lb) weight saving.

Some statistics….

380 Evacuation Demo Update –

Full Scale Evac Demo Required – each deck will be considered independent of each other. 90 second evac with half (8 of 16 ) doors inop. 3 upper deck door pairs plus 5 main deck door pairs. 2 staircases link the two decks.

Upper deck – 315 pax plus 7 cabin crew

Lower deck – 538 pax plus 11 cabin crew.

(This is a 340 put on top of a 747!)

Evac analysis will determine final max pax number.

New evacuation requirements – 25 knots surface wind, plus all slides to be cold soaked prior to them firing. (-65 F for min 8 hours)

If aircraft is on tail the slides can be extended. >5 degree pitch attitude will activate a cord cutter to extend slide – clever.

All slides take 3.5 seconds to fully extend.

1100 people will be involved in demo – night conditions at Hamburg.

Low ground light – path leading into aircraft covered to prevent test participants from viewing outside.

All must leave aircraft in 90 seconds.

Make up of pax – min 40% female – Min 35% over 50 – with 15% female and over 50.

Ground power will be switched off – emergency lighting only.

Goal – 853 passengers in less than 90 seconds.