F-WWAI

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F-WWAI
F-WWAI A320-131 Airbus Industrie(prototype) FAB SEP88 (13753510323).jpg
F-WWAI (retrofitted with IAE V2500-A1 engines) at the 1988 Farnborough Airshow
General information
TypeA320-131
Manufacturer Airbus Industries
Management Airbus Industries
Registration F-WWAI
Serial 001
Flights26
History
First flight22 February 1987
Preserved at Aeroscopia Museum in Toulouse, France
FateOn static display
Notes
References: [1] [2]

F-WWAI is an Airbus A320-131 that was built by Airbus Industries as the prototype for the Airbus A320 and the Airbus A320 family itself. It is also known to be the first Airbus A320 that was ever built.

Contents

History

First flight

F-WWAI took to the skies for the first time on February 22 1987. As one of the primary testbeds for the Airbus A320 program, it played a crucial role in shaping this game-changing family of aircraft. [2] [3]

Testbed and winglet testing

Initially, F-WWAI served as a testbed for various enhancements related to the A320 series aircraft. It was equipped with two CFMI CFM56-5A1 engines that were rated at 25,000 lbf (111.2 kN). [4]

Preservation

On 29 July 2016, F-WWAI was withdrawn from active service but was later reactivated back into active service until being permanently retired in October 2017 after a total of 26 flights. F-WWAI underwent a transformation. Its original test registration was reapplied, winglets were removed, and it was repainted back into the original 1987 Airbus livery. Today, it stands preserved at the Aeroscopia Museum in based in Toulouse, Occitania, France. [5]

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References

  1. Simpson, Roderick W. (1999). Airlife's Commercial Aircraft and Airliners. Airlife. ISBN   978-1-84037-073-7.
  2. 1 2 Simons, Graham M. (2021). Boeing 737: The World's Most Controversial Commercial Jetliner. Pen & Sword Books (published 2021-03-15). ISBN   9781526787248.
  3. Job, Macarthur (1994). Air Disaster. Aerospace Publications. p. 11. ISBN   978-1-875671-34-2.
  4. Eden, Paul E., ed. (2008). Civil Aircraft Today. London: Amber Books, 2008. p.  23–27. ISBN   978-1-905704-86-6.
  5. Viana, Pedro (2019-10-04). "Classic Airbus planes will be available to visit in November, at the Aerescola Museum". Aeroflap. Retrieved 2024-05-10.