Learn about the most popular Airbus A320 aircraft in the world

The case of German Airbus A320 aircraft falling in France once again shook the world opinion. Airbus A320 aircraft is the world's second-best selling passenger plane.

Airbus A320 aircraft is extremely modern designed

Airbus A320 aircraft is a very popular aircraft and is in service of most airlines in the world, including Vietnam such as Vietnam Airline, JetStar and VietJet Air. The A320 was first launched in 1988 and, with improvements in design and technology, the A320 became the second-best passenger jet only after Boeing 737.

Airbus A320 aircraft is the second most preferred passenger transport aircraft in the world

Airbus A320 is a family of narrow-bodied passenger aircraft, a range of short to mid range production produced by Airbus SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée). Versions of this model include the A318 with 107 seats, the A319 with 134 seats, the A321 with 199 seats and the ACJ business jet version.

The A320 began its development in March 1984, making its first flight on February 22, 1987, and was officially shipped in 1988 for sale to Air France, the first airline. First order and put into civil operation A320 series. This is a series of aircraft sold with considerable sales and a pioneer in the application of technology in the aircraft manufacturing industry. In particular, the 150-seat A320s are the best-selling version of this model.

Technical specifications

Specifications of Airbus A320 aircraft : Maximum takeoff weight: 77,000 kg / 161,700 lb, wingspan: 34.156m / 112.060 ft, total length: 37.537m / 123.271 ft. Size: Airbus A320 with height: 11m / 38.6 ft, passenger compartment width: 3.950m / 12.9 ft, wing area: 122.4m2. As a medium-class passenger jet, the A320 has an average cruising speed: 084 Mach (905km / h), maximum fuel capacity: 24,210 liters / 6,300 US gallons, full-load range: 4,800 km / 2,600 nautical miles, maximum propulsion capacity: 27,000 lbs, aircraft using engines: CFM 56-5B4.

Modern control system

The A320 is the first aircraft to adopt aircraft control systems with digital interfaces in combination with fly-by-wire instead of the previous manual flight control system. This system continues to be developed and perfected until now. Instead of mechanical transmission (hydraulics), the fly-by-wire system allows the pilot's manipulation to be transmitted to the aircraft wing by digital signals.

Airbus A320 aircraft has an extremely modern control system

In addition to light weight, the fly-by-wire system is also supported by computers . This ensures that the A320 virtually does not happen to exceed the dangerous operating limits such as the operating limits (G limits) and the engine's working speed as well as the limits of the forward edge of the wing. (angle of attack limits). The fly-by-wire system makes all Airbus aircraft have similar characteristics, thereby minimizing the time of training pilots when flying with different types of aircraft.

A breakthrough in Airbus' A320 design was the first time to apply fly by wire (FBW) control systems to commercial airplanes , the system was only equipped for military fighters and have been as successful as Vought F-8 Crusader. The application of this system to commercial aircraft will greatly reduce the weight and cost of aircraft, which will also make the flight safer. The working principle of this system is to manipulate and control the pilot's aircraft through digitized joystick and transfer it to the computer system.

Inside Airbus A320 aircraft

The calculator calculates and analyzes the movement and condition of the aircraft to give the most appropriate action . The initiator of the system on the upcoming A320 commercial aircraft and then the upcoming A330, A340, A380 and A350 are Bernard Ziegler, the son of former Airbus CEO Henri Ziegler. He is also the pioneer in the application of the entire glass cockpit to the aircraft's control bay.

Bring in modern technology

Airbus A320 aircraft are equipped with the system "Tracking ECAM Electronic Centralized Aircraft (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring). This system continuously displays information related to aircraft engines, as well as key systems such as flight control, aerodynamics and hydraulics. This information is transferred to the pilot via the LCD screen located at the center of the control panel.

Airbus recently began installing LCD screens in the control panel compartment of new A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft in place of CRT monitors. They include main screens and redundant artificial horizons, previously using analog monitors. LCD screens are lighter and generate less heat than CRT screens.

Airbus A320 aircraft are also designed to withstand crashing into the water

This model is also designed to withstand a calculated water crash. According to the manufacturer, Airbus A320 has a separate mechanism to land. When the pilot presses the button, it will close all the compartments under the abdomen to minimize the amount of water spilling into the aircraft, preventing the aircraft from sinking. Meanwhile the emergency exit system on the aircraft is buoy boats, which helps to ensure safety for passengers when entering the water.