News Review
Beluga XL Nears Service Debut
THE TESTING and development of Airbus’ Beluga XL airlifter has reached several milestones ahead of its entry into service later this year. The oversized craft completed its first flight carrying a pair of Airbus A350 XWB wings during February, underscoring its increased capacity over its A300- 600-derived predecessor. The test flight, between the manufacturer’s Bremen and Toulouse facilities marked the first occasion in which both left and right A350 wings have been carried by an aircraft simultaneously. Alongside this, the second Beluga XL has recently emerged from the paint shop in Airbus Transport International (ATI) colours – a maiden flight is expected in the coming weeks.
As part of the transition to the A330- 200-based transporter, the flight engineer role is being phased out, with loadmasters taking on additional duties. These include the safe loading and unloading of major component assemblies, such as fuselage sections and wings, using the type’s unique cargo loading system. The loadmaster will also be responsible for opening the cargo door, unloading the components and handing them over to the ground co-ordinator. (Photo Airbus
Boeing Offers Biofuel Delivery Flights
