Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is the world's first airliner developed and built by Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aircaft manufacturers, now named Airbus and part of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). Airbus was formed in 1970 after many years of research and preparations by Aérospatiale (Sud Aviation) in France, Deutsche Airbus (MBB) in Germany, Hawker Siddeley (British Aerospace) and CASA in Spain.
The Airbus A300 is the first twin-engined widebody airliner and intended for short to medium ranges. The aircraft seats 250 to 300 passengers in an eight abreast economy configuration, although some charter airlines fly it nine abreast. The fuselage width was chosen wide enough to allow the loading of two side by side rows of standard LD3 cargo containers in the belly cargo compartment. The LD3 is exchangeable with the Boeing 747.
 At the moment of introduction the A300 was a very modern state-of-the art design. The first of two A300B1 prototypes flew on October 28 1972 from Toulouse in France. The first production version, the A300B2 entered service with Air France in May 1974. The A300B2 was soon followed by the A300B4 with increased weights and a reinforced wing and fuselage. Airbus also built some A300C convertible aircraft, suitable for cargo and passenger operations.
The A300 had a slow sales start. A breakthrough was the first order from a US major carrier, Eastern Airlines. Eastern, one of the big four US airlines at that time, first tried out four leased aircraft during a six month period in 1977. The airline became satisfied about the qualities of the Airbus A300 and subsequently ordered 19 new aircraft. After this major deal more airlines ordered the widebody twin, especially airlines in the Far East.
In 1984 Airbus switched production to the much improved A300-600, with increased range and a two-crew EFIS flightdeck. The cabin volume of the A300-600 is larger thanks to applying the A310's more efficient tail empennage. The A300-600 flew for the first time on July 8 1983.
A further improved version is the A300-600R with extended range thanks to the application of a fuel tank in the tailplane. The A300-600R first flew on December 9 1987. It was followed by the A300-600F freighter which had its maiden flight in December 1993. During the last years of production most A300s were delivered as freighters to Federal Express (FedEx) and United Parcel Service (UPS).
 A very special version is the A300-600ST Beluga, Super Transporter, which first flew on September 13 1994. This awkward looking aircraft is specially developed to carry large aircraft parts like wings and fuselage sections from Airbus partner factories to the final assembly line in Toulouse, France. The Beluga is the successor of the Super Guppy, which performed the task of bringing aircraft pieces together during the first years of the consortium's existence. The Super Guppy was based on the Boeing Stratocruiser.
The Beluga's cargo hold is 7.4 m wide and it has a large upwards opening front cargo for easy loading. The cockpit was moved down to below the level of the cargo floor. Other changes are a larger tail and the addition of extra vertical stabilizers to the tailplane. Airbus built five Beluga's. Although they are primarily intended for Airbus-work, they also operate charter flights on behalf of other customers.
A total of 561 Airbus A300 aircraft of all versions were ordered, plus five Beluga's. The production ended in July 2007 with delivery of the last aircraft to Federal Express. Many older passenger aircraft are now being converted to freighters.
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Airbus A300B4-200 - Specifications
Wingspan: 44.84 m (147ft 1in). Length: 53.75 m (175ft 11in). Height: 16.53 m (54ft 3in).
Empty weight: 88,500 kg (195,109 lb). Max. take-off weight: 165,000 kg (33,760 lb).
Accommodation: 220-336 passengers.
Range: 5,375 km (2,900 nm). Max. cruise speed: 917 km/h (495 kts).
Engines: two General Electric CF6-50C (227 kN / 51,000 lb)
or Pratt & Whitney JT9D-59A1 (236 kN / 53,000 lb).
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Airbus A300-600R - Specifications
Wingspan: 44.84 m (147ft 1in). Length: 54.10 m (177ft 5in). Height: 16.53 m (54ft 6.5in).
Empty weight: 91,040 kg (200,700 lb). Max. take-off weight: 170,500 kg (375,855 lb).
Accommodation: 228-361 passengers.
Range: 7505 km (4,050 nm). Max. cruise speed: 897 km/h (484 kts).
Engines: two General Electric CF6-80C2A5 (273.6kN / 61,500 lb)
or Pratt & Whitney PW4158 (258 kN / 58,000 lb).
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