AIRCRAFT
The Airbus A300-600 was launched in 1980 as an advanced version of the A300B4, with a number of significant improvements. These included a rear fuselage of A310 profile, allowing two more seat rows in the cabin; the use of composites and simplified systems to reduce structure weight, and a choice of advanced engines.
The A300-600, referred to during its development as the A300B4-600, was launched in 1980 as an advanced version of the A300B4. It has a number of significant improvements, including:
- A two-crew EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System) cockpit with digital avionics based on that of the A310;
- Utilisation of the A310 rear fuselage and tail, thus allowing greater freight payloads and two more seat rows in the cabin while maintaining the same overall fuselage length;
- The use of composites and simplified systems to reduce structural weight;
- A choice of advanced engines: either two Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4H1s rated at 56,000 lb. (25,402 kg) thrust, PW4156s with the same thrust, or 59,000 lb (26,738 kg) thrust General Electric CF6-80C2A1s;
- Small winglets (an option from 1989, standard from 1991);
- Fowler flaps and increased camber on the wings;
- New brakes and APU;
- Increased payload/range through an extensive drag-reducing airframe cleanup.
The first A300-600 flew on July 8, 1983, with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4H1 engines, and an A300-600 with General Electric CF6-80C2 engines first flew on March 20, 1985. The first A300-600 delivery was to Saudi Arabian Airlines on March 26, 1984.
The extended-range A300-600R, announced in 1986, has higher maximum takeoff weight, small wingtip fences, a trimming fuel tank in the tailplane and other new internal features. Engines are either the 58,000 lb (26,309 kg) thrust Pratt & Whitney PW4158 or the General Electric CF6-80C2A5 giving 61,500 lb (27,954 kg) thrust. First flight was on December 9, 1987, and the first delivery took place on April 20, 1988, to American Airlines. The type is rated for 180-minute ETOPS (Extended-range Twin [engine] OperationS).
Convertible cargo versions, based on the passenger aircraft, enable the A300-600 to accept all standard freight unit-load devices in use. These models are designated the A300-600C and 600RC, and have a maximum structural payload capability of 102,600 lb (46,600 kg) and full passenger amenities.
The A300-600F is Airbus's first purpose-built freighter. Major features are a 3.58m x 2.57m cargo door on the left side of the fuselage, strengthened structure and floors, and a built-in cargo handling system. The A300-600F has no cabin windows, and no passenger-associated systems and equipment are fitted. Its first flight was in December 1993 and launch customer Federal Express received the first of its 25 A300-600Fs, powered by 61,300 lb (27,366 kg) thrust General Electric CF6-80C2A5Fs, in April 1994.
The FedEx A300-600F is certificated at 166 tonnes all-up weight to transport a 54.78 tonne payload over 1,900 nm., or at 171.4 tonnes to move 50.96 tonnes over 2,650 nm.
UPS is another major A300-600F customer, following its September 1998 order for 30.
The A300 has enjoyed renewed interest in the second-hand market for conversion to freighters, with a left side forward freight door and strengthened floor. And in fact, freighter versions ˜either new-build A300-600Fs or converted ex-passenger A300-600s, A300B2s and B4s˜ account for most of the world freighter fleet after the Boeing 747 freighter.
Airbus also developed the A300-600ST Super Transporter named Beluga. Five of these were built, replacing the four aging Super Guppies used to transport Airbus aircraft parts from the company‚s various manufacturing plants to the final assembly plants in Toulouse, France, and Hamburg, Germany. The A300-600ST is covered in detail under a separate entry.
Final assembly of the A300-600 is integrated with that of the A310 in Toulouse.
In March 2006 Airbus announced the closure in 2007 of the A300/A310 line, making these planes the first Airbus aircraft to be discontinued. The final airframe (an A300-600) is expected to be delivered in July 2007 and Airbus has announced a support package to keep A300s flying commercially until at least 2025.
A total of 330 A300-600s have been sold worldwide.
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