Aviation
Commercial /
Europe
Airbus A321 XLR
Extra-long-range airplane assembly begins
Airbus A321XLR
Image: Boeing
Rafael Ramos
5/23/2021
Airbus teams started assembling the structure of the A321XLR, an extra-long-range version. The assembly at the Hamburg plant (Germany) joins the central and rear fuselages. It started on May 21.
Airbus A321 da Lufthansa
Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“It is an important milestone for the A321XLR program. Teams can be proud of this achievement and the general speed of industrialization. We are on the right track with our planning. The pilot line dedicated to the A321XLR is ready and waiting to operate the assembly phases of the first flight test aircraft, until entry into service ”, as said Martin Schnoor, head of the A321 XLR Aircraft Development Program.
Previously Airbus had already assembled components from the fuselage section, but separately, such as the wing box, in the central fuselage, responsible for fixing the wings. The high capacity fuel tank was produced by Premium Aerotec. The rear fuselage was assembled considering this tank. Integrated in sections 15 and 17, the tank has a capacity of 13,100 liters. This tank, called the RCT, is the rear main tank, which can carry more fuel than many of the additional central tanks (ACT) in the conventional version of the A321.
The plane is expected to be ready in 2022, with certification tests carried out in the same year. The aircraft is expected to enter service in 2023.
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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