AIR GIANT TAKES OFF
Crowds turn out to watch ‘whale in the sky’ leave Wales
THE so-called “whale in the sky” jetted out of Wales yesterday with hundreds of people turning out to watch.
The Beluga XL, which landed at Hawarden Airport on Valentine’s Day, made its return journey to Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse, France, and weather conditions were perfect – much to the delight of plane spotters. ers.
The super transporter ansporter – an extralarge version of its iconic Beluga plane, named for its likeness to the whale – is the e largest Airbus has ever constructed. ted.
It has been n designed to transport aircraft parts, arts, including wings made in Broughton, ghton, across Airbus’ European sites s when it enters service later this s year, having first taken to the skies kies in the summer of 2018.
The aircraft t will replace the current Beluga a ST airlifters but as the body is seven metres longer and one metre wider it can carry two A350 XWB WB wings, while the he Beluga ST can n only carry one. e.
Pilot Tony y Flynn was full of praise for the plane. “It’s a very, very nice flying aeroplane,” he said. “It flies even better than a normal A330, b because they have made some modifications mod to the flight controls. For the pilot, it handles well.” Despite the gulf in size, Mr Flynn said it is not a as noisy as a standard Belug Beluga. “It’s a new generation and it has newe newer engines, so it’s it’ quieter. “R “Residents don don’t have an anything to worry w about,” he h added.