First flights this year

A summary

A summary of maiden flights (incomplete!):
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flight-international/2009/12/first-flights-in-2009.html

Sorry. As you can see from my initial post, I remembered and mentioned that A400 is military, but was not quite sure how far the policy goes.

Presumably the same applies to general aviation like Gulfstream 650?

Moderator Message

Chornedsnorkack:

The A400M is a military aircraft.

This is a commercial aviation forum.

Please try to remember the difference in the future.

Thanks

GA

A400 has been seen to run all four engines:

And now it has been seen to taxi:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/24/335420/picture-a400m-performs-first-taxi-trial.html

A400

A400 has been seen to run all four engines:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/19/335233/picture-a400m-completes-first-ground-run-of-all-four.html

(General aviation) What about G650?

Promised this month:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/15/334904/dubai-09-bombardier-studying-potential-new-ultra-long-range-business.html

Can someone tell me why the A330-200F has grown an oversized wart on its chin?

They say they installed the whole nose landing gear bay lower in the fuselage, so the aircraft is level instead of nose down on the ground. Easier than making a longer nose gear, I guess.

Can someone tell me why the A330-200F has grown an oversized wart on its chin?

Might I ask a dumb question ?

Why is it so difficult to produce a cargo version of an already established passenger airliner ? Don’t they just leave the seats out and cut a wider hole where the passengers normally get on ???

The fuselage needs strengthening, and that is not that easy. You can see the difference when you compare the payload of new delivered freighters versus converted aircraft.
Also a number of system need to be changed.

Correct is that it is not really a “first flight” as most critical system and the primary structure for flight remains unchanged.

What is new is the nose bulge.

Strengthen fuselage around ‘wider hole’, probably a complete new reinforced floor with inset rollers and tie downs.;)

But this is not new is it ?

Might I ask a dumb question ? Don’t they just leave the seats out and cut a wider hole where the passengers normally get on ???

Strengthen fuselage around ‘wider hole’, probably a complete new reinforced floor with inset rollers and tie downs.;)

Might I ask a dumb question ?

Why is it so difficult to produce a cargo version of an already established passenger airliner ? Don’t they just leave the seats out and cut a wider hole where the passengers normally get on ???

What customers have ordered the A330F??:confused: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/05/334435/a330-200f-touches-down-after-successful-maiden-flight.html

ATB
James

Apart from the two mentioned in the article, Etihad and Turkish, the following have placed orders, Aircastle, BOC, Flyington, Guggenheim, Intrepid, Matlin Patterson, MNG, Avion LLC and ACT.:)

Well, this is the list as I knew it…although it doesn’t include the TK order which I read about the other day..

Etihad Airways Airbus A330-200F – 3
Flyington Freighters Airbus A330-200F – 12
Hainan Airlines Airbus A330-200F – 3
MNG Airlines Airbus A330-200F – 4

I’m sure Airbus’ website will fill in the blanks.

What customers have ordered the A330F??:confused: And A330-200F touches down after successful maiden flight 😎 http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/05/334435/a330-200f-touches-down-after-successful-maiden-flight.html

ATB
James

I hope they don’t let any Etihad employees in the left hand seat!:diablo:

A330F has rejected some takeoffs. Without meeting a sound barrier:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/04/334394/pictures-airbus-a330-200f-undergoes-rejected-take-off-testing.html

Airbus now promises tomorrow, 5th of November:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/03/334345/airbus-identifies-5-november-for-a330-200f-maiden-sortie.html

I hope they don’t let any Etihad employees in the left hand seat!:diablo:

What are the main airplanes supposed to have maiden flight this year?

When shall A330-200F fly?

Airbus now promises tomorrow, 5th of November:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/03/334345/airbus-identifies-5-november-for-a330-200f-maiden-sortie.html

B747-8: Canceled as reported.

B787-8: There is a chance, but I think it is becoming slimmer. The B787-8 can only go flying when the fix is 100% perfect. Neither the FAA nor Boeing itself can fly a half-fixed aircraft. The weather might also be a factor, especially when it becomes narrow towards year’s end.

A400M: There is a chance and it is becoming better. The A400M is a military aircraft with much longer testing period, Airbus can afford to fly a preliminary version with many workarounds. Also, there is considerable political pressure. The A400M in pretty much any case will have EIS after the B787-8.