Airbus is flight-testing an A350 XWB design-standard fuselage panel made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The 15m² structure (pictured) is fitted in place of an existing A340 aluminium fuselage section. The trials, conducted by Airbus’ flight-test aircraft A340 MSN001, are part of a three-week campaign to evaluate pressurised CFRP acoustic properties and to help fine-tune sound insulation for the A350 XWB cabin. Manufactured by Airbus at Nantes, the CFRP panel is fitted with microphone sensors and will be tested with various types of acoustic insulation materials.

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