", "Big ideas: Megalifters prove you’re never too fat to fly. It encloses the forward section including the open large cargo door for less weather restrictions and faster 1h 20min turnaround down from 2h 30min. Ranges shown are at max payload. The main instrument panel incorporates six cathode ray tube (CRT) displays that continuously provide flight, navigation and systems-monitoring information in a clear, comprehensive manner. [21] The large canvas, measuring 2.99 metres (9.81 ft) high by 3.62 metres (11.88 ft) long,[21] was too large to fit into a Boeing 747. Modification work was performed at Toulouse using components provided by the Airbus assembly line. Airbus has already started the process of replacing the Beluga; that project is currently dubbed the “Beluga XL” (I hope that they come up with a better name). [9], In 1999, a Beluga carried a large painting, Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix,[20] which had hung in the Louvre in Paris since 1874. Description Development. Now let us look at the Airbus Beluga and XL. It actually competes with the new Embraer plane that looks like a shark in the eye-catching big fish stakes. The Beluga started flying in 1995. The Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter), or Beluga, is a version of the standard A300-600 wide-body airliner modified to carry aircraft parts and outsize cargo. So Airbus assessed several other aircraft such as the Antonov An-124 and An-225, Boeing C-17 or Dreamlifter, and A400M before modifying one of its own aircraft. [13] Airbus previously considered the A330-300 and A340-500, but each require too much of the limited 1,663 m (5,456 ft) runway 04 at Hawarden Airport near Broughton in Wales. Airbus A300-600ST Beluga in the flying-display at the 1999 Paris Airshow. (* ) Aircraft weights and capabilities shown are the highest values. In late 1997, in response to the positive performance of the A300-600ST Super Transporter program, SATIC announced that they were in the process of evaluating several different prospective outsize freighter conversions; company chairman Udo Dräger indicated that a larger freighter based on the Airbus A340 could be developed in a similar manner to that of the A300-based Beluga. [22][23], The Beluga has seen recurrent use to transport bulky objects, including vehicles, for various different space programs. 1 Overview 2 Livery 3 Background 4 References This massive, rather odd looking cargo plane makes it distinct from other planes. The XL has its enlarged fuselage “bubble” section that is 6 metres longer and 1 metre wider than on the Beluga ST and will be able to lift a payload 6 tons heavier . The Beluga has a cargo hold of 53,000 cubic feet, placing it between the C-5 Galaxy and Antonov AN-124 in terms of volume capacity. [3], The main deck cargo volume of the Beluga is greater than that of the C-5 Galaxy or the Antonov An-124 but still smaller than Antonov An-225. XL has extensions on the top of aircraft such as Beluga. [4] Another reason for faster loading times was the adoption of a roll-on/roll-off loading system, as well as the ability to unload the aircraft in winds of up to 40 knots. [7][4], In November 2014, Airbus announced that it was proceeding with the development of a larger replacement based on the Airbus A330-200, replacing the last old Beluga in 2025. It's so large, it can carry the wings of Airbus' A350 aircraft. [4][2] The Beluga fleet is owned by Airbus Transport International (ATI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus Group that was established specifically to operate the type; through this organisation, the fleet is made available for hire by third parties for charter flight. Currently, it has the largest cross-section of any cargo plane in the world. Featuring one of the most voluminous cargo holds of any civil or military aircraft flying today, the Airbus BelugaST offers a unique way to transport oversized air cargo. The aircraft is based on the A330 aircraft, to become the successor of Airbus Beluga. The Beluga took its first flight in 1994. [15], The A300-600ST Beluga shares many design similarities, although substantially differing in appearance, to the Airbus A300 upon which it was based. The geographic location of Airbus manufacturing is not only influenced by cost and convenience; it is also a matter of aviation history and national interest. So Airbus assessed several other aircraft such as the Antonov An-124 and An-225, Boeing C-17 or Dreamlifter, and A400M before modifying one of its own aircraft. The new Airbus Beluga XL is an exception though, because with its twinkly-eyed, smiley-faced appearance, it can really only be described as adorably cute. ATI ensures a high level of customer satisfaction with loading, unloading, and delivery designed to be fast, safe, flexible, and reliable – as demonstrated by over two decades of successful operations throughout the world. This Beast Can Fly Four Million Miles In … [7], In August 1991, Aérospatiale and DASA, two of the major Airbus partners, formed a 50/50 joint venture company, Super Airbus Transport International (SATIC), based in Toulouse, France, to develop a new-build replacement for the Super Guppy fleet. H. Gousse/Master Films/Airbus At nearly 62 feet high, the XL stands a good six feet taller than the original Beluga. [9] In May 1998, ATI reportedly had an annual revenue target of $15 million to be achieved via leasing spare capacity. The new, bigger version of the Airbus Beluga cargo aircraft, the Beluga XL came to the UK for the first time today with a flight from Toulouse, France. The Airbus Beluga XL2 is due to land at Hawarden airport for the first time. Its proper name is the Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter), and it’s based on the A300-600. [5][16] Despite this width, the Beluga cannot carry most fuselage parts of the Airbus A380, which are instead normally transported by ship and road. It received the official name of Super Transporter early on; however, the name Beluga, a whale it resembles,[2][3] gained popularity and has since been officially adopted. Big Beluga. From 1972 onwards, a fleet of four highly modified "Super Guppies" took over. The A300-600ST's freight compartment is 7.4 m (24 ft) in diameter and 37.7 m (124 ft) long; maximum payload is 47 tonnes. A speedy development program was also necessitated in order to begin introducing the prospective type in time to take over duties from the Super Guppy fleet, which was scheduled to draw down in the mid-1990s. [4] The General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofan engines used are slightly uprated from those used on the standard A300 as well. [4] At the time, derivatives of both the Airbus A330 and the A340 were being studied, including combining the upward-swinging hinged door of the Beluga with a conventional upper deck as an alternative to a side-mounted cargo door in traditional freighter missions. Also included in the cockpit are controls for a transportable heating module that can be installed in the main deck cargo compartment. In 2011, Pau Pyrénées Airport, a site routinely visited by Belugas, became the first airport in Europe to deploy the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, which accurately guides the Beluga and other aircraft during landing. I can tell you that the beast is even more impressive in person than it is via photos. [24] In 2004, multiple Beluga flights were made to Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, to deliver Astrium-built satellites. In 2020, Airbus began phasing in its fleet of six new-generation BelugaXL versions – which will operate in parallel with the five in-service A300-600STs before replacing them completely. [4] Following a pre-design period by SATIC, detailed design work was performed by Aérospatiale and DASA while subcontractors were selected to complete the 15 separate work packages; amongst these subcontractors, CASA was selected to produce the upper fuselage, Dornier provided the hydraulic systems, and Sogerma performed the final assembly work. Engineers got to work modifying the A300 for oversize cargo transport. The BelugaST retains the same flight deck that is in worldwide operation on Airbus A300-600s and A310s. [7] A key requirement of the new air transporter was the need to accommodate every major component being manufactured by Airbus, including the then-heaviest planned part, that being the wing of the larger variants of the Airbus A340. [10][11][12] The Beluga XL entered service in 2020. With a maximum payload of 51 tonnes, the BelugaXL has a range of 4,000 km. Celebrating 50 years since Airbus’ creation, representatives from each of the company’s in-production commercial jetliner families – A220, A320, A330, A350 XWB and A380 – are joined in a May 2019 formation flight by France’s Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team, Celebrating 50 years since Airbus’ creation, representatives from each of the company’s in-production commercial jetliner families – A220, A320, A330, A350 XWB and A380 – are joined in a May 2019 formation flight by France’s Patrouille de France aerobatic demonstration team, Airbus Commercial Aircraft formation flight – 50-year anniversary, Airbus Commercial Aircraft formation flight – 50-year celebration, BelugaXL makes first flight loaded with two aircraft wings, BelugaXL first flight teaser final checks, First BelugaXL has its cargo door installed, The year in review: Airbus' 2015 highlights adjusted, In the making: Vietnam Airlines’ first A350 XWB, Airbus’ Beluga celebrates 20 years in the air, Airbus’ Beluga: 20 years of reliable service, Helping to secure people, nations and our environment, to the latest teaching materials for your kids, Airbus maintenance training centre Europe Hamburg, Airbus Helicopters International Services, Airbus Helicopters Training Services France (Marignane), Airbus Helicopters Training Academy (Singapore), Airbus Helicopters Training Academy (Malaysia), Airbus Helicopters Training Academy Germany (Donauworth), Material, maintenance and global upgrades, Taking meteorological observation to a new level with Aeolus, Astrix Inertial Measurement Unit / IRU Series, Partnering with the humanitarian community, The "wow" factor... and a new era dawns (2004-2007), Confirming Airbus' industry leadership (2011), Higher production goals, new aircraft (2012), Boosting competitiveness with efficiency, innovation and diversity (2016), Airbus Commercial Aircraft positioned for the future (2017), Maintaining commercial aircraft market leadership (2018), Aiming for the stars with Europe’s launch vehicles, Bringing the world together with European telecommunications. [4][5], To provide access to the cargo area from the front without having to disconnect all electrical, hydraulic and flight control connections (and also avoiding the lengthy recalibrations before each flight that reconnection entailed), the standard A300 cockpit was relocated down below the cargo-floor level. On April 15, 2019, Airbus’ second Beluga XL took flight. It has the largest cargo bay cross section of any existing cargo aircraft worldwide, providing 30% extra transport capacity to support the ongoing production increase of the commercial aircraft program [26], Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era, Outsize cargo version of the A300-600 airliner, European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, "Quirky Dozen: The 12 strangest-looking aircraft ever built", "Airbus' Beluga: The world's strangest-looking airplane turns 20", "On the Wings of Giants: Airbus Banks on the Beluga. With a max payload of 51 tons—the equivalent of … ", "LOOK: Airbus' £30m Beluga station ensures wind does not halt play. No, what you’re looking at is not a photoshop. The parts for the A300–600ST (the official name for the Airbus Beluga) were provided by 15 companies, including CASA, from Spain (upper fuselage), Dornier, … Airbus just released its newest aircraft into the skies, but by the looks of it, it could belong in the sea. In 1997, ATI claimed that it had to reject eight out of ten requests for commercial Beluga flights, the fleet being able to spare only 130 flight hours for such duties that year. We’re going to see four more whales. Airbus Beluga A300-600ST - Takeoff at Hamburg ... - YouTube [4] By 2012, the fleet was performing roughly 5,000 flight hours per year; Airbus expected this figure to double by 2017. It is flown by two pilots. When Airbus started in 1970, road vehicles were initially used for the movement of components and sections; however, growth in production volume soon necessitated a switch to air transport. The aircraft is operated by a crew of three – two pilots and a loadmaster. 7. It’s not a plane with a horrible, disfiguring growth that nobody likes to talk about. The painting itself was nearly ten feet tall and twelve feet wide, and could not fit inside other commercial airliners, so the Beluga stepped in and flew it from Paris to Tokyo. The Beluga is actually a modification of different Airbus model Every Beluga manufactured is a modified Airbus A300-600 jet. Airbus’s oddly shaped jet – named for its resemblance to the whale of the same name – will replace an older 'Beluga' model being phased out by Airbus. Airbus Beluga - Patrouille de France 1. [3], Since entering service, the Beluga has been subject to several infrastructure upgrades. These were former Boeing Stratocruisers from the 1940s that had been converted with custom fuselages and the adoption of turbine engines to carry large volume loads for NASA's space program in the 1960s. Airbus had made five of the original Beluga aircraft by 2013. It received the official name of Super Transporter early on; however, the name Beluga, a whale it resembles, gained popularity and has since been officially adopted. Airbus’ Beluga XL super-transporter is set to touch down in Wales - and there's a chance you'll be able to see it. They are based on the A330-200 Freighter, with a large re-use of existing components and equipments. The A380 FAL is over 1.6 million sqft in size and employs thousands. However, the cargo deck is fitted with a heating module to keep the cargo within an appropriate temperature range. However, it is restricted by cargo-weight capacity of 47 tonnes, compared to 122.5 tonnes for the C-5 Galaxy and 150 tonnes for the An-124. [19], In addition to its primary supply duties to Airbus' production facilities, Belugas have often performed charter flights for various purposes. Airbus had made five of the original Beluga aircraft by 2013. [7] The vertical stabilizer uses a modified Airbus A340 fin with a 1.12 m (3 ft 8 in) base extension while the tailplane was strengthened and fitted with auxiliary fins to maintain directional stability. [9] On 24 October 1997, the last of Airbus Industrie's Super Guppy freighters was retired and its outsize cargo mission from that point onwards being exclusively performed by the new A300-600ST fleet. Airbus settled on the Airbus A300, a capable and proven wide-body airliner that originally debuted in the mid-1970s. ", "Airbus Industrie carries Delacroix painting to Japan", "Airbus Beluga aid work remembered 10 years on from Hurricane Katrina. [17], In January 1996, the Beluga was formally placed into dedicated service, ferrying components from various aerospace sites to the final assembly lines in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany. Oh yes. Airbus Beluga XL (Airbus A330-743L) is a large transport aircraft which began operations in 2019. In 2005, the Beluga was employed to transport humanitarian aid and medical supplies from the United Kingdom and France to the Gulf Coast of the United States, in support of disaster-relief operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Made for the heaviest and biggest parts at the time the Airbus A340 wings. The details vary from one model to another, but the general arrangement is for the wings and landing gear to be made in the UK, the tail and doors in Spain, the fuselage in Germany, and the nose and centre-section in France, with final assembly in either Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; or Seville, Spain. However, one of Airbus’ most iconic planes is one that isn’t intended for passengers, but still serves a crucial role. Airbus said the first BelugaXL is one of five aircrafts in … [14] In May 2015, Airbus confirmed that the new aircraft will have a 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wider cross-section than its predecessor and provide a 12% increase in payload. The Beluga has been used to transport some A380 components. [4] Airbus Industries elected to invest $1 billion into the program, this sum included the aircraft themselves, the cargo loading system, and program management. Just five of the Beluga AirbusXL super-transporters have been built so far, with a sixth expected by 2023. There is big, and then there is this thing. The A380 is larger than the Beluga on virtually every metric: it is bigger, longer, heavier, can carry more and goes faster. Also known as A300-600ST Super Transporter, the company’s five existing Belugas play a key role in keeping its production and assembly network operating at full capacity, with the fleet’s overall pace of operations – managed by the Airbus Transport International (ATI) subsidiary – growing to support production ramp-ups. The Beluga XL, based on the Airbus A330 with similar modifications and dimensions, was developed by Airbus to replace the type in January 2020. The new Beluga, to be based on the A330-200F, will primarily be used to transport A350 parts and, in time, replace the older Beluga altogether. The Beluga XL airbus based on the Airbus A300 airliner is a large transport plane. Max Take Off Weight: 155,000 Kg 341,713 lbs Max Landing Weight: Max Payload: 47,000 Kg 103,616 lbs Fuel Tank Capacity: 15,600 gallon The original one was based on a standard A300, while the new model will be based on the A330. The big picture: Airbus Beluga XL exits paintshop 29 Jun 2018 News Airbus confirms it will stop building the A380 14 Feb 2019 News Breaking down Airbus and Boeing's 2018 figures 11 Jan 2019 News An enlarged version of Airbus SE’s famously bulbous Beluga wing transporter is set to make its debut flight in the middle of the year after the first plane rolled off the [7], The cockpit of the Beluga is pressurized but the cargo deck is not, making it inaccessible during flight and unsuitable for cargoes that require a pressurized environment, such as live animals. The distinctive aircraft - dubbed the Beluga after the mammal it resembles - made a fly-past at Airbus' base in Filton yesterday (February 14). The Airbus A300-600ST (Super Transporter), or Beluga, is a version of the standard A300-600 wide-body airliner modified to carry aircraft parts and oversized cargo. Several major aircraft manufacturers are multinational, and it is not unusual for them to have plants in widely separated locations. Although the Dreamlifter provides cargo space of 65,000 cubic feet, the Beluga XL has an amazing 78,000 cubic feet of cargo space. And now the third one was freshly painted and presented to the public. The aircraft measures an incredible 56.15 m (184 ft.) in length, 17.24 m (56 ft.) in height, and has a wingspan of 44.84m (147 ft.). Airbus settled on the Airbus A300, a capable and proven wide-body airliner that originally debuted in the mid-1970s. Airbus shows what Beluga XL work day looks like Share this news Following the service entry of Airbus next generation super transporter, the BelugaXL, earlier in the month, the European manufacturer now invites to “enter the cockpit” of its “smiling whale”. [5][6] As time went on, the Super Guppies grew increasingly unsatisfactory for Airbus's ferrying needs: their age meant that operating expenses were high and ever-increasing, and growing Airbus production required greater capacity than could be provided by the existing fleet. [7] The A300-600ST was not a like-for-like replacement, being larger, faster, and more efficient than the preceding Super Guppies. Airbus built 5 and flew for the first time in 1994. Once the Beluga rolls out A second Beluga XL joined the first of the large transporters in March 2019. [25], A two-bay loading dock was opened in Toulouse in 2019, receiving 85-100 flights a week, as the five A300-600STs are operated 7,600 hours a year together. [4] In February 2003, a single Beluga performed the farthest distance charter flight ever, having flown for 25 hours (not including refueling stops) to transport two complete NHI NH90 helicopters along with a single Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter from Marseille, France to Melbourne, Australia, for the Avalon Airshow. The Airbus Beluga XL flys past Airbus in Bristol, Thursday 14 February 2019, as Airbus announces that the A380 aircraft will be limited in production. The semi-automated main deck cargo loading system ensures easy and efficient handling of payloads, controlled by the trained crews of Airbus Transport International – which operates the five-aircraft BelugaST fleet. Airbus Beluga XL Capability, Cockpit, Specifications, Interior, and also Price.Airbus Beluga uses an unique way to move big air cargo by presenting one of the most freight spaces of all private or army aircraft flying today. It’s the third of six ", "Airbus A300-600ST Type Certificate Data Sheet", "Airbus Airbus starts A330 Beluga development", "Airbus logistics: from tiny fish to small whale – and now a bigger Beluga", "Airbus leans towards A330-200 to replace Beluga fleet", "A330-based Beluga to have larger cross-section", "Airbus delivers first A380 fuselage section from Spain", "Europe's first EGNOS airport to guide down giant Beluga aircraft. [4] Airbus' use of the Super Guppies led to the jest that "every Airbus is delivered on the wings of a Boeing". Firstly the Beluga developed from the A300-600 by Airbus. An Airbus Beluga declared an emergency while flying to north Wales. [4] But as more Beluga aircraft were put into service, availability increased drastically, rising to 600 flight hours in 1998 and around 1,000 flight hours in 1999; this effectively enabled one of the five Beluga aircraft to spend much of its operating hours performing charter flights. After its entry, it replaced the Airbus Beluga in the movement of over-sized components, wings. [9] In 2009, a Beluga was used to convey the Tranquility module of the International Space Station from Turin to Kennedy Space Center, United States. Following a total of 335 flight hours being performed during the test program, restricted certification of the type was awarded by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in October 1995, enabling the A300-600ST "Beluga" to enter service shortly thereafter. The Airbus Beluga was spotted circling Merseyside as it made several failed attempts to land in Chester. The BelugaXL is based on an A330-200 Freighter, enabling the re-use of existing components and equipment, and is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. A while back I was fortunate enough to tour Airbus Beluga 1 during a visit in Hamburg. Big Beluga Airbus settled on the Airbus A300, a capable and proven wide-body airliner that originally debuted in the mid-1970s. Where the Dreamlifter looks like a 747 that ate too much, the Beluga looks like a plane with a really big forehead and a body to match. The Beluga XL will gradually replace the existing five-member A300-600ST Beluga fleet from the middle of this year until 2025. The Beluga XL airbus made its first flight on 19 July 2018 and received the type certification on November 13, 2019. The new Airbus Beluga XL is an exception though, because with its twinkly-eyed, smiley-faced appearance, it can really only be described as adorably cute. This airplane was made to carry big loads and it’s the perfect … The distinctive aircraft, that has been given a smiley face because it looks like a Beluga whale, made its first appearance in the UK as part of its testing programme. With more than 20 years of reliable service, the BelugaST airlifts complete sections of Airbus aircraft from different production sites around Europe to the final assembly lines in Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany. Why is the new model based on a quite old design like the A330, and not the more modern A350 (which could generally be more efficient and have more modern avionics)? The Airbus BelugaXL (Airbus A330-743L) is a large transport aircraft based on the Airbus A330 -200 Freighter airliner, built by Airbus Transport primarily to move its own aircraft components (like Airbus A350 XWB wings) between production locations. The Airbus Beluga is truly one of its kind. [8] In addition to the first aircraft, four more Belugas were constructed at a rate of roughly one per year; from start to finish, each airframe reportedly took roughly three years to complete. It was flown from Paris to Tokyo via Bahrain and Kolkata in about 20 hours. The Airbus Beluga is a sight to behold when it flies over the Merseyside skies - and now you can have a closer look at it. Airbus has today introduced its third Beluga XL aircraft to its fleet. The Beluga carried the Columbus Module in March of 2006. Residents under the flight path of Airbus ’ new giant transporter aircraft the Beluga XL are invited to information sessions taking place this week. The BelugaXL can carry two A350 XWB wings compared to the Beluga ST, which can only carry one. ), and it ’ s new 'whale-shaped ' plane as it its. One of its kind station components and equipments land in Chester ’ second XL! Unique plane under the cargo section dedicated Beluga loading station was opened at Hawarden Airport the... Airbus employees the chance to decide between several options of animal competes how big is the airbus beluga the Super Guppy, the,... For the first of the original one was freshly painted and presented to the ST... Operation on Airbus A300-600s and A310s Airbus A300-600ST Beluga in the sea, disfiguring that... Beast is even more impressive in person than it is not unusual for them to plants. 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