First Flight Planned For Later This Summer

The first BelugaXL has rolled out of the paintshop unveiling a special livery making it look like a Beluga Whale. The livery was one of six choices submitted to Airbus employees through a poll where 20,000 people participated. With 40% votes in favour, the smiley livery won.

The BelugaXL will now undertake gound tests before first flight planned in summer 2018.

The decision to build the BelugaXL was taken in November 2014 to address the transport and ramp-up capacity requirements for Airbus beyond 2019. The new oversize air transporters are based on the A330-200 Freighter, with a large reuse of existing components and equipment. The first of five BelugaXLs will fly in summer 2018 and enter into service in 2019.

The BelugaXL will be able to carry two A350 XWB wings instead of one. The new aircraft will be about 20 feet longer and three feet wider than the original Beluga, and will be able to lift a payload six tons heavier. Its aft section is based on the A330-300 while its forward on the A330-200 for center of gravity reasons, and the reinforced floor and structure comes from the -200F. The A330 wings, main landing-gear, central and aft fuselage form a semi-built platform with few systems, without the aft upper fuselage while the upper central fuselage is cut off, facilitated by the metal construction. The enlarged freight hold is mounted in three months with 8,000 new parts on the junction line.

(Image provided with Airbus news release)

FMI: www.airbus.com