Re:Airbus Beluga XL
by masklinn on Monday December 16, 2019 @03:15PM
(#21806708)
The problem of the 737 was trying to keep to the type rating so crew didn't need re-training and re-certification, especially for airlines which refuse to fly anything but 737s.
This was not a concern here, it's not going to be sold to operators (let alone operators who don't want to retrain crew).
There are only 5 Beluga XL (likewise its predecessor) and it exists solely and exclusively for Airbus to move parts around due to the distributed nature of its production.
Before Airbus built their own cargo aircraft, they used Super Guppies, which is why there is one on display near or in two of Airbus' facilities (Toulouse and Hamburg), despite the Guppy being on a Boeing base. Airbus actually bought the right to build Guppies at the time.
This was not a concern here, it's not going to be sold to operators (let alone operators who don't want to retrain crew).
There are only 5 Beluga XL (likewise its predecessor) and it exists solely and exclusively for Airbus to move parts around due to the distributed nature of its production.
Before Airbus built their own cargo aircraft, they used Super Guppies, which is why there is one on display near or in two of Airbus' facilities (Toulouse and Hamburg), despite the Guppy being on a Boeing base. Airbus actually bought the right to build Guppies at the time.