17 YEARS YOUNG: THE A320 WAS REVOLUTIONARY WHEN IT WAS INTRODUCED

This article offers a look at the status of the A320, introduced 17 years ago to launch customer Air France. At the time it was considered controversial because of its widespread adoption of "fly-by-wire" technology, which is now the standard. Despite the A320's age, the manufacturer Airbus denies any major redesign is in the works, and it is holding its own in the market with the 737NG for every order. Upgrades have been occurring often enough to keep the model modern, though the cost of the changes can be high, some carriers complain. The A320 family is almost completely converted from CRT displays to liquid crystal, including a digital head-up display system. Some carriers see the constant stream of upgrades as a burden, though it means that a 1989-era plane is very similar to operate compared to a just-manufactured model, reducing time needed to retrain crews. Some parts can be replaced with interchangeable components, which makes maintenance less costly, too.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: https://www.library.northwestern.edu/find-borrow-request/requests-interlibrary-loan/lending-institutions.html
• Authors:
  • Sweetman, B
• Publication Date: 2004-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 35-36
• Serial:
  • ATW: Air Transport World
  • Publisher: Penton Media
  • ISSN: 0002-2543

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Avionics; Instrument flying; Software; Technological innovations; Wide body aircraft
• Identifier Terms: Airbus A320
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fly by wire
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00978321
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 7 2004 12:00AM