Editing Airbus A310 (section)

== Variants ==
The A310 is available in two basic versions, the medium range -200 and the longer range -300.  The first version of the aircraft to be developed was the −200, but this was later joined by the -300, which then became the standard production version of the aircraft.  The short range -100 variant was never developed due to low demand.

=== A310-200 ===
:[[File:Airbus A310-221, Swissair AN1031000.jpg|thumb|The prototype Airbus A310-200]]The first A310, the 162nd Airbus off the production line, made its maiden flight on 3 April 1982 powered by the earlier [[Pratt & Whitney JT9D]]-7R4D1 engines. The -200 entered service with [[Swissair]] and [[Lufthansa]] a year later. Late series -200 also featured wing fences identical to those of the -300. The first three A310s were initially fitted with outboard ailerons; they were later removed once testing showed them to be unnecessary.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Learmount|first=David|date=3 July 1982|title=A310 keeps beating its targets|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1982/1982%20-%201826.html|journal=[[Flight International]]|page=34}}</ref> Production of the A310-200 ended in 1988.

=== A310-200C ===
:A convertible version, the seats can be removed and cargo placed on the main deck, the A310-200C entered service with [[Martinair]] on 29 November 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIRBUS A310 |website= janes.migavia.com |url=https://janes.migavia.com/inter/airbus/a310.html}}</ref>

=== A310-200F ===
[[File:FedEx Airbus A310-200 Monty.jpg|thumb|[[FedEx Express]] A310-200F without wingtip fences]]
:The freight version of the A310-200 was available as a new build, or as a conversion of existing wide-bodied aircraft.  The A310-200F freighter can carry {{cvt|39|t|lb}} of freight for {{cvt|5950|km|nmi mi}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a310-200f/|title=A310-200F freight version|work=Aerospace Technology |publisher= Verdict Media Limited|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref>  No production freighters of the A310-200F were produced. The converted Airbus A310-200F entered service with FedEx Express in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Airbus A310-200F |website=Aerospace Technology |url=https://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a310-200f/}}</ref>

=== A310-300 ===
:[[File:Airbus A310-300 Air Transat (TSC) C-GLAT - MSN 588 (9510329329).jpg|thumb|[[Air Transat]] A310-300 with wingtip fences]]First flown on 8 July 1985, the −300 is dimensionally identical to the −200, although it provides an increased [[Maximum Take-Off Weight]] (MTOW) and an increase in range, provided by additional centre and horizontal stabiliser (trim-tank) fuel tanks.  This model also introduced [[Wingtip device|wingtip fences]] to improve aerodynamic efficiency, a feature that has since been retrofitted to some −200s.  The aircraft entered service in 1986 with Swissair.  The A310-300 incorporates a computerised fuel distribution system which allows it to be trimmed in flight, optimising the centre of gravity by shuttling up to {{cvt|5000|kg}} of fuel in and out of the horizontal stabiliser tank, controlled by the Centre of Gravity Control Computer.

=== A310-300C ===
: The [[Combi aircraft|combi]] version of the A310-300. It can be easily converted for passenger or cargo transport: the seats can be removed and cargo placed on the main deck.

=== A310-300F ===
:The freight version of the A310-300.  Operators such as [[FedEx Express]] acquired modified ex-passenger A310s, usually starting with the −300 version.  No production freighters of the A310-300F were produced.

[[File:Airbus A310-304(MRTT), Germany - Air Force JP7415094.jpg|thumb|[[Airbus A310 MRTT]] of the [[German Air Force]]]]

=== A310 MRT/MRTT ===
{{Main|Airbus A310 MRTT}}
:The A310 has been operated by several [[air force]]s as a pure transport, the A310-300 MRT Multi-Role Transport.  However several have now been converted to the A310 MRTT '''M'''ulti-'''R'''ole '''T'''anker '''T'''ransport configuration by [[EADS]], providing an air-to-air refuelling capability.  At least six have been completed; four by the [[German Air Force]] (Luftwaffe), and two by the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF).  Deliveries began in 2004.  Three were converted at [[EADS EFW]] in Dresden, Germany; the other three at [[Lufthansa Technik]] in Hamburg, Germany.

=== A310 Zero G ===
:One A310 airframe became a scientific research laboratory dedicated to [[weightlessness]].  This [[reduced-gravity aircraft]] is used to realise [[parabola]]s, allowing to perform twenty-two seconds of weightlessness.  Operated by {{Interlanguage link|Novespace|fr}}, subsidiary of [[CNES]], French Space Agency, A310 Zero G is based at [[Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport|Bordeaux Mérignac airport]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/zero-g-flying-means-high-stress-for-an-old-a310-410416/|title=Zero-G flying means high stress for an old A310|work=[[FlightGlobal]]|date=23 March 2015|language=en-GB}}</ref>  It also performs scientific flights and movie special effects, such as for ''The Mummy'' (2017).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aeronewstv.com/fr/lifestyle/art-culture-aeronautique/3849-tom-cruise-en-apesanteur-dans-la310-zero-g-de-novespace.html|title=Tom Cruise en apesanteur dans l'A310 ZERO-G de Novespace|trans-title=Tom Cruise in zero gravity in the A310 ZERO-G of Novespace|work=AeroNewsTV |access-date=10 March 2018|language=fr}}</ref>