Michelin NZG tyres on first delivery of Airbus A350-900

Michelin Aircraft tyre has announced that its tyres were fitted for the first flight of the new Airbus A350-900 aircraft. And Airbus has delivered the first A350 XWB to Qatar Airways equipped with Michelin Air X tyres, featuring “Radial NZG Technology”.

According to the tyre manufacturer, the Xtra Wide Body commercial jet made primarily of composite materials achieved its first ferry flight from Toulouse (France) to Doha (Qatar) on 22 December 2014. 70 per cent of the A350 XWB is made from lighter-weight advanced materials, including composites (53%), titanium and new generation aluminum alloys. These are primarily built into the aircraft’s main structural components such as the wings and fuselage. In this way, composite and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials serve to reduce weight and thereby lower fuel consumption by 25 per cent as well as reducing the maintenance cost of the aircraft.

“Michelin worked hand in hand with Airbus on this aircraft,” said Frank Moreau, Michelin Aircraft Tyre Company’s president. “Michelin is committed to providing innovation for safety and business efficiency.”

Michelin reports that it introduced the world’s first radial aircraft tyre in 1981.  Michelin Radial NZG Technology is designed to offer a new line of better performing, lower weight aircraft tyres certified for the A350 XWB models. Compared to an equivalent radial nylon tyre, the Radial NZG reportedly delivers up to 30 per cent more landings and improves Foreign Objects Damage. In effect, eight Radial NZG tyres can carry the same load as nine standard radial tyres.