The first A350F Section 19 flies to Hamburg
The first A350F Section 19, completed in November in Getafe, has been shipped to Hamburg on board the Beluga. The completion marks a key step forward in the new freighter’s production.
This first shipment to Hamburg is the first in a series, consolidating Getafe as a key centre for A350F production.
The project, initiated in 2022, has involved the creation of a new workstation and close collaboration between multiple teams and departments to ensure a smooth implementation.
Section 19 is based on the passenger aircraft section and adapted for the A350F. The freighter variant has been designed to ensure proper integration into the existing production line of passenger A350 aircraft.
The Section 19 project involved close collaboration between the members of the Multi Functional Team, Txema Santiago, manufacturing engineering process engineer, explained that “it was an exercise against the clock that required the coordinated effort of everyone.”
The involvement of the production team was fundamental right from the start , helping to define processes and anticipate and solve problems before they arose. The commitment from the shop floor has been exceptional,” says Iván Ramos, line 3 S19 A350 production manager. “Not only have they been involved in the development, but they have also taken the initiative to continuously improve operations.”
Paving the way for the future
The implementation included several important milestones, including Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Industrial Process Acceptance Reviews (IPAR) and the First Implementation Check (FIC), which enabled the entire project to be visualised and all modifications to be renewed, ensuring the equipment's readiness for production. “This change, although it may seem minor, involves a lot of effort and guarantees the operational safety of the aircraft,” Carlos Sancho, development programme head in Getafe, assures.
As Iván concludes, “this project has strengthened us as a team. We have shown that, with the right preparation and effective communication, there is no challenge we cannot overcome.”
