F-WBXL

Aircraft:
Airbus A330-743L
Reg: F-WBXL full info | F-WBXL photos
Serial #:
1824
Airline: Airbus Transport International
Photo Date: Dec 11, 2020
Uploaded: Dec 16, 2020
Oporto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport - LPPR, Portugal

Notes:

[Full HD/1920px] A picture is worth a thousand words, and this one is the result of a combination of strict work and deep passion. Two days before I took this shot, I was peacefully dining with 2 friends and looked to my phone as I was just receiving a new email. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I read “Beluga XL” in the title… it was a handling request. Several phone calls were made right after and I had to apologize to my friends because my mind was not in that restaurant anymore… As they fully know and understand me, there was no big deal! After dinner, I rushed back home to start coordinating this complex operation with the competent Authorities – Airport Operations and Portuguese CAA. It was a complete race against time, since the flight was planned in such short notice – less than 48 hours. After plenty of calls and emails, we’ve managed to arrange all the necessary permits for the giant Whale to visit Porto. The purpose of this flight was to test the aircraft in challenging weather conditions, such as crosswinds. Here you can see F-WBXL pictured while applying full reverse throttle on runway 17 from Toulouse (TLS/LFBO) calling AIB85XL. After 3 landings and 3 touch&goes, aircraft performed a full-stop for refuel before returning to Toulouse. In the meantime, I had a chat with the lovely Crew – some of the most important Airbus Test Pilots and Flight Engineers, and also could visit this mighty beast inside! I felt very honored... This is, for sure, the best job I could ever have.

Photographer

by Carlos Miguel Seabra
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Contact photographer for terms of use.

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Registration

Photo Date

Dec 11, 2020

Uploaded

Dec 16, 2020

Views

9,623

Likes

103

Badges

None

Notes

[Full HD/1920px] A picture is worth a thousand words, and this one is the result of a combination of strict work and deep passion. Two days before I took this shot, I was peacefully dining with 2 friends and looked to my phone as I was just receiving a new email. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I read “Beluga XL” in the title… it was a handling request. Several phone calls were made right after and I had to apologize to my friends because my mind was not in that restaurant anymore… As they fully know and understand me, there was no big deal! After dinner, I rushed back home to start coordinating this complex operation with the competent Authorities – Airport Operations and Portuguese CAA. It was a complete race against time, since the flight was planned in such short notice – less than 48 hours. After plenty of calls and emails, we’ve managed to arrange all the necessary permits for the giant Whale to visit Porto. The purpose of this flight was to test the aircraft in challenging weather conditions, such as crosswinds. Here you can see F-WBXL pictured while applying full reverse throttle on runway 17 from Toulouse (TLS/LFBO) calling AIB85XL. After 3 landings and 3 touch&goes, aircraft performed a full-stop for refuel before returning to Toulouse. In the meantime, I had a chat with the lovely Crew – some of the most important Airbus Test Pilots and Flight Engineers, and also could visit this mighty beast inside! I felt very honored... This is, for sure, the best job I could ever have.