F-WWAI
F-WWAI
Preserved Airbus A320 aircraft
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.[1]
F-WWAI | |
---|---|
General information | |
Type | A320-131 |
Manufacturer | Airbus Industries |
Management | Airbus Industries |
Registration | F-WWAI |
Serial | 001 |
Flights | 26 |
History | |
First flight | February 22, 1987 |
Preserved at | Aeroscopia Museum in Toulouse, France |
Fate | On static display |
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][4]
Testbed and winglet testing
Initially, F-WWAI served as a testbed for various enhancements related to the A32S aircraft. It was equipped with two CFMI CFM56-5A1 engines. Over the years, F-WWAI was used for a variety of purposes, including winglet testing.[2][3]
On July 29th, 2016, F-WWAI was withdrawn from active service but was later reactivated back into active service until being permanently retired in October 2017 after a total of 26 flights.[2]
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.[2]
- Simons, Graham M. (2021). Boeing 737: The World's Most Controversial Commercial Jetliner. Pen & Sword Books (published 2021-03-15). ISBN 9781526787248.
- "F-WWAI Airbus Industrie Airbus A320-100". www.planespotters.net. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- Seet, Charlotte (2023-02-22). "36 Years On: The Story Of The Airbus A320's First Flight". Simple Flying. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- Job (1994), p. 11
Sources
- Job, Macarthur (1994). Air Disaster - Volume 3. Aerospace Publications. ISBN 9781875671342.