Type / Model
The first A320 started its schedule air service in april 1988. Since that day it is on a triumphal procession through the whole world and belongs to the most successful aicrafts ever.
Until today (Jan 2009) 6,300 aircafts have been ordered and already 3,700 have been delivered. Airbus states that the A320 offers the lowest fuel consumption, the lowest emission and the lowest generation of noise in its category. Additionally it is equipped with the latest and most comprehensive fly-by-wire-technology possible.
One of the reasons for its popularity may be the wider body and the resulting bigger cabin width. Because of the special profile of the fuselage the cargo system is compatible with the worldwide standart system for wide body aicrafts - a fact that saves money and eases the cargo procedures. Additionally the higher width of the body increases the comfort on board.
Also for pilots there are advantages: Because of the communality concept of Airbus pilots can fly every type of the A320-Family without an additional type-rating.
At present Airbus is developing further options. First you can now choose a higher Maximum Takeoff Weight (increased by one tonne to 78 tonnes) and secondly Airbus plannes the extension of live cycle of the A320. From 2011 it will be possible to fly not only 60,000 flying hours but 180,000 flying hours. The live cycle will thus be tree times longer than it is now possible.
The A320 in numbers
| Overall length | 37,75m | Engines (2x) | CFM56-5 or IAE V2500 |
| Height | 11,76m | ||
| Wing span | 34,10m | Engine thrust range | 111-120kN |
| Service ceiling | 12.130m | Cruise speed | ca.840km/h |
| Max. range (km) | 5.700km | Max op. Mach (Mmo) | 0,82M |
| Max. range (nm) | 3.000nm | Takeoff speed | ca. 280km/h |
| Wing area | 122,6m² | Landing speed | ca. 220km/h |
| Wing sweep | 24,96° | Min. Flight speed | ca. 195km/h |
| Wing loading | 628kg/m | Takeoff run (MTOW) | ca. 2.090m |
| Fuselage diameter | 3,95m | Landing distance | ca. 1.450m |
| Cabin length | 27,51m | Max Takeoff Weight | 73,5t - 78t |
| Max. Cabin width | 3,70m | Basic weight | 44t |
| Max. Cabin height | 2,22m | Max. Landing Weight | 64,5t |
| Wheelbase | 12,64m | Max. Fuel capacity | 23.860l |
| Wheel track | 7,59m | Cargo volume | 37,42m³ |
| Passenger | 150-184 | Crew | 2/4 |
| Doors | 4 | First flight | 22.02.1987 |
| Emergency exits | 4 |