Final assembly of Airbus' first A330-200F is well under way as the new-generation cargo jetliner is readied for its maiden flight in November.
This aircraft began an on-time build-up in June, which has included the mating of its fuselage sections, wing and horizontal/vertical tail, as well as installation of the main and nose landing gear.
It was integrated on the same Toulouse, France, assembly line as Airbus' other A330 and A340 long-range wide-body aircraft, and will be used for a four-month flight test campaign.
Certification of the A330-200F is planned for spring 2010 by the European and U.S. airworthiness authorities, with Etihad Airways of the United Arab Emirates scheduled to be the first to take delivery.
The A330-200F is equipped with a 141 x 101-inch cargo door on the forward fuselage, which will enable the jetliner to accommodate cargo containers and freight pallets on the main deck.
As a new-generation freighter derived from Airbus' proven A330 jetliner family, the A330-200F offers highly efficient operation while generating less noise and emissions than the ageing fleets of mid-sized cargo aircraft used in worldwide service today.
Airbus currently has 65 firm orders from nine customers for the A330-200F.
