New lighter Airbus freighter offers bigger payload
Airbus Industrie put its new A330-200 freighter through an intensive test regime during its first flight on November 5, flying the aircraft to its maximum speed and altitude.
The new dedicated Freighter variant of the A330 series underwent comprehensive trials during a four hour maiden flight over Toulouse, marking the start of a 180 hour flight-test and certification campaign, and paving the way for first delivery of the type to launch operator, Etihad Crystal Cargo, in the summer of 2010.
Compared with the A330-200 passenger version, the new purpose-designed freighter version has an increased maximum-zero-fuel weight (MZFW) of eight tonnes to allow for high-density cargo configuration transportation of 10lb/ft3. In addition, the aircraft features a reinforced fuselage plus new strengthened floor with a specially designed floor-grid for higher running loads
One purpose of the early trials at maximum altitude was to test the sealing of the large main deck cargo door. Also tested was the unique nose undercarriage system, designed to keep the aircraft level during loading, and housed in an unusual fairing dome under the forward fuselage.
Careful design has produced a greater payload than initially expected, and the A330-200F offers two operational configurations depending on the planned mission. The aircraft can carry more than 64 metric tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles / 7,400km, or more than 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles / 5,930km – non-stop. Airbus expects that these capabilities will help operators to grow their business by opening up or extending cargo routes they currently operate. Thanks to an optimised fuselage cross-section, the aircraft has the interior flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability, offering 30 per cent more volume than any freighter in its class.
Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers, John Leahy said: “The efficient A330-200F is very well adapted to today’s market dynamics of rising fuel prices and increased pressure on yields. The A330-200F is the right aircraft at the right time. We are at the eve of a market recovery, and now is the time for airlines to prepare for future freight growth.”
