Aviation
Commercial /
Europe
Beluga
Some facts about the Airbus whale
Airbus Beluga ST #2
CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Rafael Ramos
7/27/2022
The Airbus Beluga made its first visit to Brazil, entering through Fortaleza, where it made a technical stop and landed at Viracopos International Airport, in Campinas.
The plane came with the mission to transport the helicopter manufactured by Airbus ACH160. The US$16 million cargo will be unloaded in Campinas.
In fact, this visit is the plane's first time in all of Latin America. However, there are 3 aircraft registrations reserved for the ACH160 helicopter. Two units are for Helibrás and one for an importer. This means that there is a possibility of seeing Beluga returning to Brazil soon.
The plane is called the Beluga because of its shapes that resemble a species of white whale of the same name. Here are some interesting facts about the aircraft:
- The first generation of the plane is made on the basis of the Airbus A300-600ST, but modified to have a large volumetric capacity as a freighter. The top of the A300's fuselage was cut to accommodate the freighter's massive "back".
- The plane appeared early in the history of the European manufacturer and thanks to the need for Airbus to carry parts from different suppliers between the company's factories in Europe, especially large parts, such as wings and fuselage. This explains the distinctive shape of the plane.
- The payload of the first Beluga model is only 47 tons (less than a large truck). However, the purpose of the plane is to carry large volumes, not large weights.
- Due to the need to carry larger loads, the new generation of Beluga, called Beluga XL, was made on the basis of the Airbus A330-743. This aircraft can carry just over 50 tons, but with a much larger volume (2200 m³ versus 1550 m³). There are only three units in operation of this latest model.
- Due to the pronounced fuselage of the plane, the vertical stabilizer had its efficiency compromised. To solve this, Airbus installed two more stabilizers, one on each side.
- Due to the shape of the fuselage, the entrance door to the cockpit is at the bottom.
- Only 5 units of the first model are in operation, and the one that came to Brazil is number two. The number can be seen on the front, above the cockpit. Gradually, the first model is being replaced by the XL, with greater capacity.
Airbus Beluga Loading
Image: Airbus
Airbus Beluga ST and Beluga XL
Image: Airbus
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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