Aircraft - Airbus A-320

TYPE
Short to medium range airliner

GENERAL INFORMATION

Perhaps the most important contributor to Airbus Industrie's success as an airliner manufacturer, the four member A320 family is a significant sales success and a technological leader. The 150 seat A320 is the foundation and best selling member of the family.

The A320 is perhaps best known as the first airliner to introduce a fly-by-wire flight control system where control contribution from the pilot are transmitted to the flying surfaces by electronic signals rather than mechanical means. Apart from a small weight saving, the advantage of Airbus' fly-by-wire is that as it is computer controlled, an inbuilt flight envelope protection makes it virtually impossible to exceed certain flight parameters such as G limits and the aircraft's maximum and minimum operating speeds and angle of attack limits.

Also essential to the A320 is the advanced electronic flight deck, with six fully integrated EFIS color displays and innovative side stick controllers rather than conventional control columns. The A320 also employs a relatively high percentage of composite materials compared to earlier designs. Two engines are offered, the CFM56 and IAE V2500.

The initial production version was the A320-100, which was built in only small numbers before being replaced by the definitive A320-200 with increased max takeoff weight, greater range and winglets. The stretched A321 and shortened A319 and A318 are described separately. All four share a common pilot type rating. Mid 2000 A320 family production was at a monthly rate of 22, to be increased to 30 units a month by the end of 2002.

PERFORMANCE
Max cruising speed at 35,000ft 795km/h (429kt). Initial rate of climb 3790ft/min. Max certificated altitude 45,000ft. Range at economical cruising speed with two crew, four passengers and reserves 3852km (2080nm).

The A320 program was launched in March 1982, first flight occurred on February 22 1987, while certification was awarded on February 26 1988. Launch customer Air France took delivery of its first A320 in March that year. The first V2500 engine A320 was delivered in May 1989.

CAPACITY
A320-200 - Max cruising speed 903km/h (487kt) at 28,000ft, economical cruising speed 840km/h (454kt) at 37,000ft. Range with 150 passengers and reserves with CFM56s 4843km (2615nm), or 5639km (3045nm), or 5278km (2850nm); with V2500s 4874km (2632nm) or optionally 5463km (2950nm) or 5676km (3065nm).