The incident involving a German Airbus A320 crashing in France has once again shaken global public opinion. The Airbus A320 is the second best-selling passenger aircraft in the world.
The Airbus A320: A Modern Aircraft Design
The Airbus A320 is a highly popular aircraft that is in service with most airlines around the world, including Vietnam Airlines, JetStar, and VietJet Air. The A320 was first manufactured in 1988 and, with ongoing design and technology improvements, it has become the second best-selling passenger jet after the Boeing 737.
The Airbus A320 is one of the most popular passenger aircraft in the world
The Airbus A320 is a narrow-body passenger aircraft designed for short to medium-haul flights, manufactured by Airbus S.A.S (Société par Actions Simplifiée). Variants of this aircraft include the A318 with 107 seats, the A319 with 134 seats, the A321 with 199 seats, and the ACJ business jet version.
Development of the A320 began in March 1984, with its first flight occurring on February 22, 1987. It was officially launched in 1988 for Air France, the first airline to order and operate the A320 for commercial use. This aircraft has achieved significant sales and is a pioneer in technological advancements within the aviation manufacturing industry, particularly the A320 variant with 150 seats, which is the best-selling version in the series.
Specifications
Technical specifications of the Airbus A320: Maximum takeoff weight: 77,000 kg / 161,700 lb, wingspan: 34.156 m / 112.060 ft, overall length: 37.537 m / 123.271 ft. Dimensions: The Airbus A320 has a height of 11 m / 38.6 ft, a passenger cabin width of 3.950 m / 12.9 ft, and a wing area of 122.4 m². As a medium-range passenger jet, the A320 has an average cruising speed of 0.84 Mach (905 km/h), a maximum fuel capacity of 24,210 liters / 6,300 US gallons, a full-load range of 4,800 km / 2,600 nautical miles, and a maximum thrust of 27,000 lbs, powered by CFM 56-5B4 engines.
Modern Control Systems
The A320 is the first aircraft to implement digital flight control systems combined with computer systems (fly-by-wire), replacing the traditional manual controls. This system continues to evolve and improve to this day. Instead of mechanical (hydraulic) transmission, the fly-by-wire system allows the pilot’s control inputs to be transmitted to the aircraft’s wings via digital signals.
The Airbus A320 features an advanced control system
In addition to being lightweight, the fly-by-wire system is supported by computers. This ensures that the A320 rarely exceeds operational limits that could be dangerous, such as G limits and engine operating speeds, as well as angle of attack limits. The fly-by-wire system standardizes characteristics across all Airbus aircraft, thereby minimizing pilot training time when flying different aircraft types.
A breakthrough in the design of the A320 by Airbus was the first-time application of digital control systems (fly-by-wire – FBW) in commercial aircraft; previously, this system was only equipped on military fighter jets, achieving considerable success with models like the Vought F-8 Crusader. Implementing this system on commercial aircraft significantly reduces weight and costs, while enhancing safety during flights. The system operates by digitizing pilot control inputs and relaying them to the computer system.
Inside the Airbus A320
The computer calculates and analyzes the aircraft’s movements and conditions to determine the most appropriate actions. The initiator of equipping this system on the commercial A320, and later on the A330, A340, A380, and the upcoming A350, was Bernard Ziegler, son of former Airbus CEO Henri Ziegler. He was also a pioneer in implementing a fully glass cockpit for aircraft control.
Incorporating Modern Technology
The Airbus A320 is equipped with the “Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring” (ECAM) system. This system continuously displays information related to the aircraft’s engines, as well as key systems such as flight control, aerodynamics, and hydraulics. This information is relayed to the pilots through an LCD screen located at the center of the control panel.
Recently, Airbus has started installing LCD screens in the cockpits of the new A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft, replacing CRT screens. These include primary and backup artificial horizon displays, which previously used analog screens. LCD screens are lighter and generate less heat compared to CRT screens.
The Airbus A320 is designed to withstand water impact
This aircraft model is also designed to withstand controlled water landings. According to the manufacturer, the Airbus A320 has a unique mechanism for water landings. When the pilot activates the system, all compartments beneath the fuselage close to minimize water ingress, preventing the aircraft from sinking. Meanwhile, the emergency exits on the aircraft serve as life rafts, ensuring passenger safety during water landings.
