Photos © Airbus Press
Christoph Paff was the “pilot” for the A350 XWB scale model’s milestone first flight, which was performed 1 June 2015 at Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport in Germany
Airbus’ “first-of-its-kind” flyable A350 XWB scale model is remotely controlled to manage the engine thrust, as well as for operation of the rudders, elevators, lights, flaps and other components
For its first flight, the 1:20 scale model of Airbus’ new-generation A350 XWB jetliner lifted off from Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport, turned a few laps and then landed smoothly
More than 3,000 hours of work were put into building Airbus’ flyable A350 XWB scale model, which was developed in a project inspired by aeronautical mechanic-in-training Christoph Paff
The “first-of-its-kind” A350 XWB scale model – which performed its maiden flight from Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport on 1 June 2015 – incorporates a 3.2-metre wingspan, jet engines and retractable landing gear
