F-GZCA, one of Air France’s first two Airbus A330-200s, on final approach into Chicago O’Hare. F-GZCB was actually the first delivered on 17 December 2001 with this aircraft following just three days later. The first A330 variant was the longer A330-300 which made its maiden flight in November 1992 with the A330-200 making its maiden flight in August 1997. The A330-200 was developed in response to the success of the Boeing 767-300ER. The first customer delivery for the A330-200 was the leasing giant ILFC who placed its first A330-200s with Canada 3000 who became the first A330-200 operator. Air France currently has 15 A330-200s in service which were delivered between 2001 and 2005. AF447 which was lost over the Atlantic was the airline’s final A330-200 delivery. Air France was also the launch customer for the GE CF6-powered A330-200, using the highest thrust variant of the iconic CF6 engine, the CF6-80E1, developing 72000 lbs of thrust. To put that into perspective, the very first CF6 engine to go into service, the CF6-6 on the DC-10 Series 10, developed 41000 lbs of thrust. #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #KORD #ORD #OHare #Chicago #airport #planespotting #airlines #Airbus #instagramaviation #A330 #AirFrance #airlines #FGZCA #splendid_transport #instaaviation #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight #Avgeekery #AvGeek_SchoolofKnowledge (at Chicago O'Hare International Airport)
