Pre-flight preparations

The A330-200F taxis out for a series of high-speed runs on the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport’s runway during final preparations for its first flight. 

The flight crew

The A330-200F crew – composed of test pilots Philippe Perrin and Martin Scheuermann, along with flight test engineers Pascal Verneau, Wolfgang Brueggemann, and Stephane Vaux – walk to the aircraft for its morning first flight.

The takeoff roll

The A330-200F’s maiden liftoff was performed from Runway 32 at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, marking another Airbus first from this facility in southwestern France.  Following its takeoff roll on a runway that was still wet from an overnight rain, the aircraft climbed into partly cloudy skies for its initial in-flight evaluation. 

Lifting off

Airbus' no. 1 A330-200F freighter takes off from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport's Runway 32, marking the start of its maiden airborne evaluation that lasted four hours.

Taking to the skies

In addition to Airbus’ blue-and-white livery, the no. 1 A330-200F carries the “right aircraft, right time” phrase on one side of its fuselage – the tagline for this new-generation freighter.

First flight cruise

The A330-200F freighter's maiden flight marked the beginning of a 180-hour flight test and certification campaign that will lead to the first delivery in the summer of 2010 to launch operator Etihad Crystal Cargo.

"The right aircraft, right now"

John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers: "The efficient A330-200F is very well adapted to today's market dynamics of rising fuel prices and increased pressure on yields. [...] We are at the eve of a market recovery, and now is the time for airlines to prepare for future freight growth."

Touch-and-go

The no. 1 A330-200F completes a touch-and-go maneuver as part of its 4-hour maiden airborne evaluation, which was performed from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport.  As the result of an extensive weight saving exercise throughout its development, the new Airbus cargo aircraft is expected to have a half tonne more payload capability than initially published.

Completing a successful first evaluation

The A330-200F is seconds away from landing on Toulouse-Blagnac Airport’s Runway 32 to complete the maiden flight of Airbus’ new mid-sized, long-haul freighter.