Airbus A330-200F roll out

First flight of the A330-200F freighter

A new era in air cargo began on 5 November when the no. 1 A330-200F took off for the first time from Airbus headquarters facility in Toulouse, France. The maiden flight was performed ahead of schedule, confirming this next-generation freighters promise as the right aircraft at the right time.

Derived from the popular A330 passenger jetliner, the A330-200F is highly efficient and versatile offering superior payload and range as a mid-size, long-haul cargo airlifter. It also benefits from the advanced technologies and commonality inherent in Airbus modern family of widebody and single-aisle aircraft.

The A330-200Fs first flight today brings this new Airbus aircraft one step closer to its 2010 revenue service introduction for a global air cargo market that is heading for a rebound, and which requires an efficient, capable new-generation mid-size freighter.

Taking off from Toulouse-Blagnac Airports Runway 32 at just after 10:00 a.m. local time, the A330-200F performed a 4-hour maiden airborne evaluation that was completed with its return to the southwestern France facility for a flyby, followed by a touch-and-go maneuver and the final landing.

This first flight occurred ahead of schedule for a jetliner that is expected to carry a greater payload than initially anticipated confirming the A330-200Fs tagline: The right aircraft, right now.

A 180-hour flight test and certification campaign is planned for the A320-200F, leading to the freighters initial delivery in the summer of 2010 for launch operator Etihad Crystal Cargo.

The A330-200F is based on Airbus popular A330-200 passenger jetliner, and is produced on the same Toulouse final assembly line as the A330/A340 aircraft. It offers better payload, range and economics than previous-generation freighters, and provides the full benefits of operational commonality inherent in the fly-by-wire family of Airbus single-aisle and widebody jetliners.

In addition to being a highly capable replacement for ageing mid-size long-haul freighters in service worldwide, the A330-200F also offers opportunities to grow cargo flight frequencies in underserved markets.

With a total of 67 firm orders already booked by nine customers prior to todays first flight, the A330-200F has demonstrated its attractiveness as an efficient, reliable and profitable freighter for cargo operators and aircraft leasing companies around the globe.

The new dedicated Freighter variant of the successful A330 Family took to the skies today during a four hour maiden flight over Toulouse. This milestone marks the start of a 180 hour flight-test and certification campaign, and paves the way for first delivery of the type to launch operator, Etihad Crystal Cargo, in the summer of 2010.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Airbus
• A330
• 200F
• roll
• out

[Juantonyo]

Red covers are to protect the engines, they must be "removed before flight"

[keduardop]

cuz its new

[hugovh1]

Why does the A330 have those red covers on the engines?