Bernstein Research: Airbus A350 first delivery likely delayed to 2014

Sounds like a written with strong Boeing-backers glasses, maybe colored light rose -)

The delay is caused by the problems Airbus is facing to develop a plastic fuselage that provides with electrical continuity, such that lightning current can't stop when traveling through the fuselage structure; A lighting that stops is deadly!

Creating such electrical structural network has proven to be far more difficult than anticipated, if possible at all with a plastic fuselage. Even when the best possible measures are applied - at the expense of considerable weight - will a plastic fuselage never provide the lightning protection obtained with an aluminum fuselage.

But, Airbus at least tries to solve the problem with the A350, contrary to Boeing who already have given up on this - labeling the measures originally deemed necessary for lighting protection later as impractical, which leaves the 787 a very dangerous plane to fly; and will probably cause further long delay, if not dramatic accidents.

The Bernstein folks don't seem to know what they are talking about. For example, if they'd spend just a little more time on "researching" they'd know that the current planned production rate for the 747-8F/8I is two airplanes per month from mid-2012 and 1-1,5 per month during the next two years. The supposedly sudden "hike" in production next year is totally unrealistic, even without the likely slip in first delivery of the 747-8F into 1Q 2011.

Also, a production rate of 40 a320-family aircraft per month dosn't mean that Airbus would deliver 440 in a year. An airbus production year is about 10,5 months of production + 1,5 months of production stoppage during the 5-6 weeks of holidays in August and December.

Based on these two examples, and their other superficial projections on Airbus and Boeing deliveries during the next few years, it's pretty obvious that Bernstein Research can't be taken seriously as a "research" entity.

OV-099:

I haven´t read this report but it never says Boeing would build 35 748 in 2012. It said it would deliver them in 2012. Supposedly they would get FAA/EASA clearance in 2012 after Boeing begins the production model assembly.

As far as the A350 EIS slippage, it doesn´t take a genius to imagine that. All new models take longer (sometimes way longer) than expected to certificate.

OV-099, remember than EIS is not the same as certification.
The A380 was certified only 6 months behind schedule, but EIS was a year behind schedule, and some deliveries (not all them) are 2 years late, due to production ramp-up delays.

Easy to of determined two years ago the A350 would be late. It will no doubt be overweight to through simplified design as a result of limitations of the tools used in the design process. Ultimately only time will tell.

That was at Hans' comment.

I don't care if the A350 is late, as long as it's better than the B787!! Stay on coures EADS.

This is pure fiction. No aircraft made in the modern era has not made designs to deal with the build up of a static charge as it flies. The 787 has a metal matrix built into its composite skin to deal with the static build up. This coupled with aluminium spraying of others surfaces more then deals with the problems. How do I know this because I worked on the aircraft. Do some research before you make outlandish statements!

I am an engineer at Boeing and you, sir, are 100% wrong.

IguanaDC3 you sound like a games console fanboy.

Workers at Airbus have had no confirmation about any delays with the 350 what so ever.. Rumours are just that, rumours.

A350 worker.

Where's your grammar?
She's upstairs taking a nap.

Well im sorry its not a joke. It flew about 9 months ago and is ready for delivery