flee 5 Report post Posted November 5, 2009 A330-200F: Allowing freight operators to adapt to evolving markets The new dedicated Freighter variant of the successful A330 Family took to the skies today during a four hour maiden flight over Toulouse. This milestone marks the start of a 180 hour flight-test and certification campaign, and paves the way for first delivery of the type to launch operator, Etihad Crystal Cargo, in the summer of 2010. The new A330-200F will offer freight customers greater range and a higher maximum payload with much lower unit costs compared with its closest competitor. The aircraft has already gained 67 firm orders with nine customers. In addition to these orders, the aircraft has been selected by a tenth customer - Turkish Airlines - following the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for two A330-200Fs. Furthermore, there are other ongoing campaigns in progress where airlines are showing serious interest in the aircraft. 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." He adds: "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." Airbus sees the need for over 3,400 freighters in the next 20 years to cater for a 5.2% average annual growth rate. In turn, this will require around 1,600 mid-sized freighters, of which the A330-200F will play an important role. With a greater payload than initially anticipated, 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. These range and payload capabilities will enable operators to grow their business by opening up or extending cargo routes they currently operate. Thanks to an optimized fuselage cross-section, it 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. Compared with the highly successful passenger A330-200, this 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. The A330-200F is based on the proven, highly successful and technologically-advanced A330 platform, for which Airbus has received over 1,000 orders, and to date around 625 aircraft are in operational service. See video here: http://www.airbus.com/fileadmin/media_gallery/videos/history%20&%20millestones/A330-Decollage-version-courte.swf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakan 2 Report post Posted November 5, 2009 There is no official annoucements by Turkish Airline yet but a rumour about getting new A330-200F nowadays. As far as I know first delivery would be to MNG airlines which is biggest Cargo Carrier in Turkey. They are still using A300B4F2 and F6 models.MNG was one of the product lines customers of Airbus A330-200F. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Airbus throws A330-200F straight into flight-test regime during maiden sortie By Max Kingsley-Jones Airbus put the A330-200 Freighter through an intense test regime during its first flight earlier today, operating the aircraft up to its maximum speed and altitude and testing its revised nose landing gear arrangement. “We flew the aircraft to 41,000ft [12,500m] and to the maximum speed of 330kt [610km/h],” says Airbus test pilot Philippe Perrin, who captained the first flight. “We also flew the aircraft down to its lowest speed – ‘Alpha Max’.” Part of the reason to operate to the maximum altitude was to evaluate the sealing of the large maindeck cargo door, says Perrin: “The pressure held very well.” Alongside Perrin for the 3h 50min flight was co-pilot Martin Scheuermann and test-flight engineers Wolfgang Brueggemann, Stephane Vaux and Pascal Verneau. Perrin says that the crew were keen to test the modified nose-gear arrangement, which incorporates an external blimp fairing to accommodate the lower leg attachment. The revised attachment is needed to ensure the aircraft sits level on the ground for loading. “We wanted to check the operation of the new doors, which behaved very nicely,” he says, adding that there were no noise or buffet issues with the fairing. When it returned to land from its maiden sortie, the A330 flew two autoland approaches, including a late go-around and a touch-and-go, before making a full-stop landing. Perrin says that during the A330-200F will be operated in “extreme flight configurations” during the 4-5 month flight-test programme. Part of the trials will be used to extend the A330’s centre of gravity (CofG) by 3% over the passenger version, to improve flexibility when loading freight pallets of varying weights throughout the aircraft’s maindeck cargo bay. The 180h flight-test programme is due to be culminate in simultaneous European Aviation Safety Agency and US Federal Aviation Administration certification in March. First delivery to launch customer Etihad Airways will take place in August. Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/05/334463/airbus-throws-a330-200f-straight-into-flight-test-regime-during-maiden.html More images: http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/photos/airbusa330/tags/a330-200f/default.aspx Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pieter C. 5 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Anyone know, why Airbus modified the nose-wheel area with that 'hump' for the Cargo version ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakan 2 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Hello Pieter, I think it does for cargo loading convenience. As you know A330/340's nose whell a few degree below of fuselage main cords.also nose whell compartement into forward cargo bulk. For the best solution, engineers added a new parts in nose section for nosewheel bay. So aircraft's nose lift up and leveled and they have a little bit free space in forward cargo compartement. as far as I know, that is the reason of that "hump" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 Anyone know, why Airbus modified the nose-wheel area with that 'hump' for the Cargo version ? The original A330 used the same nose wheel as the A300, hence the nose sits lower. The A330-200F has a taller nose wheel to enable to the plane to be level on the ground so that it is easier to load cargo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pieter C. 5 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 Thanks Hakan and Flee: it makes sense... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hon Kit 3 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 Cruising speed at 610km/h? Why so slow compare to the passenger ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted November 8, 2009 I also noticed the slow speed in the report - however, the Airbus website info shows the max speed is the same as that of the passenger versions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted November 8, 2009 Its not a typo after all. There is some discussion on a.net: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4597935/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tamizi Hj Tamby 1 Report post Posted November 8, 2009 Wow,the A332F is definitely unique;thanks to the 'hump' at the front landing gear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted March 10, 2015 Turkish Airlines orders four additional A330-200 Freighters 9 MARCH 2015 PRESS RELEASE Renewed confidence in the aircraft to boost growth Turkish Airlines has signed a firm order for the purchase of four A330-200F freighter aircraft. Operated by Turkish Cargo, a brand of Turkish Airlines, the additional aircraft will help to further boost the company’s expansion in the cargo market. Turkish Airlines already operates five A330-200F, and the additional order will enable them to quickly meet the growing cargo market demand. “The A330-200F freighter aircraft have demonstrated outstanding operational reliability and performance for our cargo transport operations. It is with this in mind that we chose to expand our freighter fleet with more A330-200F,” said Dr Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Airlines.“ “A prestigious customer like Turkish Airlines ordering the A330-200F for the third time shows a real vote of confidence in this aircraft to help further develop their cargo business,“ said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A330 Family is the most versatile family of aircraft on the market and the A330-200F is no exception, being the most flexible, reliable and cost-efficient freighter” Turkish Airlines operates the largest Airbus fleet in the country with a total of 139 Airbus aircraft in service. These include 91 single aisle aircraft, two A310 freighters, 17 A330-200, 18 A330-300, five A330-200F and six A340s. Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings. The A330-200F is capable of carrying a payload of 65 to 70 tonnes, with a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles. With unit costs similar to larger freighters, it is the ideal aircraft for opening new routes and developing networks with minimum risk. The technologically advanced design and continuous improvements since the programme launch make the A330-200F today’s most modern and efficient mid-size freighter. Source: Airbus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
