Airbus A310

By Patrick Mondout

With the success of the A300 came the need for a similar aircraft both smaller and more efficient. The program was launched in July of 1978 as the A300B10, a derivatives of Airbus' original A300b airliner. By the time the prototype flew for the first time on April 3, 1982, it was known as the A310.

Swissair became the launch customer and put it into service on April 11, 1983.

Airbus A310-300 HB-IPL, a Balair Airbus A310 seen in Switzerland, July 1995 Image courtesy of AirNikon. Find more of his photos at Airliners.net

Airbus A310 at a Glance
Engines	2 GE CF6-80C2A8 or 2 Pratt & Whitney PW4156A turbofans
Cruising Speed	615
Passengers	210-280
Range	5200
Span	144ft
Length	153ft 1in
Height	51ft 10in
Weight	330,600
Built	255 (still in production)
Final Production	N/A
Mesurements refer to A310-300

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