Airbus a320

The Airbus A320 family consists of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie. The family includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, and the ACJ business jet. Final assembly of the family in Europe takes place in Toulouse, France, and Hamburg, Germany. Since 2009, a plant in Tianjin in the People's Republic of China has also started producing aircraft for Chinese airlines. The aircraft family can accommodate up to 220 passengers and has a range of 3,100 to 12,000 km (1,700 to 6,500 nmi), depending on model.

The first member of the A320 family—the A320—was launched in March 1984, first flew on 22 February 1987, and was first delivered in 1988. The family was soon extended to include the A321 (first delivered 1994), the A319 (1996), and the A318 (2003). The A320 family pioneered the use of digital fly-by-wire flight control systems, as well as side stick controls, in commercial aircraft. There has been a continuous improvement process since introduction.

On 1 December 2010, Airbus officially launched the new generation of the A320 family with the A320neo "New Engine Option". Offering a choice of the CFM International LEAP-X or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G, combined with airframe improvements and the addition of Sharklets, the aircraft will deliver fuel savings of up to 15%. Virgin America will be the launch customer for the aircraft in spring of 2016. As of 31 December 2011, a total of 1,196 A320neo family aircraft have been ordered by 21 airlines making it the fastest ever selling commercial aircraft.

As of October 2011, a total of 4,858 Airbus A320 family aircraft have been delivered, of which 4,765 are in service. In addition, another 3,255 airliners are on firm order. It ranked as the world's fastest-selling jet airliner family according to records from 2005 to 2007, and as the best-selling single-generation aircraft programme. The family's direct competitors are the Boeing 737, 717 and757.

Powerplants
Two 111.2kN to 120 .1kN (25-27,000lb) CFM International CFM56-5A1 turbofans or 118kN (26,500lb) CFM56-5A3s or 120kN (27,000lb) -5B4s, or two 113.4kN (25,500lb) International Aero Engin es IAE V2500-A1 or 117.9kN (26,500lb) V2527-A5s.

Performa nce
A320-200 - Max cr uising sp ee d 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).

Weights
A320-200 - Operating empty with V2500s 42,220kg (93,079lb); with CFM56s 42,175kg (92,980lb). Standard max takeoff for both versions 73,500kg (162,040lb) or optionally 75,500kg (166,445lb) or 77,000kg (169,755lb).

Dimensions
Wing span 34.09m (111ft 10in), length 37.57m (123ft 3in), height 11.76m (38ft 7in). Wing area 122.6m2 (1319.7sq ft).

Capacity
Flightcrew of two. Main cabin can accommodate a maximum of 179 passengers in a high density layout. Typical two class seating arrangement for 12 passengers at four abreast and 138 at six abreast. Seven LD3 derived LD3-46 containers or palletised cargo can be stored in the underbelly forward (four) and rear (three) freight holds.

Production
As of early 2003, firm orders for the A320 stood at 1397 with 1131 delivered.