EEG explored Wiel aie ess the A320 a winner? CTU} the A320’s moO Tete)LUNN] Rae ACLEAR AMBITION Sree eso eee See eT eno nee ie een and more efficient. Our clear ambition sto push the Ree ee eee Ce ene cee Peete cn eee cca Cece Eta7 4 A320: A Plane for The People Irbus has produced a range numberof orders for Airous A320 for someone that watches aircraft at ofjeliners nite 50-year Family aicrafthad overtaken the total airports, you've almost certainly flown history. Much is made of numberof orders for Boeing 737s. By on, or watched, an A320. A great the A380 Super Jumbo October 31,2019, A320 Family orders ara. just because isa big jet twas a stood at 15,193 versus Boeing 737 ‘4320: A Plane for The People looks ‘commercial failure. The antithesis of the at 15,136. The gap had been closing _at the type's development, the family ‘8320 Family, over 9,300 of which were over the preceding few years, With of variants, the aircrafts main systems in service around the warld pre-COVID, the A320 Family comprising the A318, _and five ofthe largest operators from not to forget another 5.600 aircraft on A319, A320, A321, A319ne0, A3Z0ne0, around the world. @ ‘order and yetto be delivered. There A3ZIneo, AZZILR and A32IXLR variants, ‘are over $,500 A320ne0 Family aircraft Airbus had provided the market with 2 ‘within the outstanding orders, suitable type for any route. No wonder Arbus launched the A320.0n March that they had closed the gap. 2, 1984, specifically to take-on the Over 320 carriers currently operate market dominance held atthe time by A320 Fanily aircraft, which puts the jon ‘wo American jets: the Boeing 737 and type on stands at all major airports MeDonnell Douglas OC. ‘around the world. youve a seasoned Mark Ayton Thirty-five years later the total ‘al traveller, regular holidaymaker ‘Editor cereye eredCe ‘Senior Editor Bookazines: Roger Mortimer ae eee eee ei) et en ney Per er arte eee Peete meets a Sarg Potten ee ca NN Se eu) Se ee eee posite eee er ro Publishing Coen prey Head of Publishing: Finbair O'Reilly Ce ee ey Peer ete eee cS Cee eer ee Ce dee nce ene SSE ma to Printing Cee ee ee mee) Distribution Se eer) Pema eo rin) oe eee ey Re eee een etc ened ee nee eet eee eee ee eee a ane Ld Peer ree a nett © Key Publishing Ltd 2021 ll rights reserved. No pat ofthis magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical nee ee el Re or ee Ce ee eee ene ee tn permitted7 : Boeing’s Deposer: Mark Ayton provides an overview of the A320 Family of aircraft and its significant role in toppling Boeing from pole position for annual deliveries, Inbus ended the year 2019 Ina great state of play. The European manufacturer had delivered 863 aircraft “during the year. Boeing managed just 345 deliveries (having delivered 805 the previous year), thwarted by one of the biggest examples of corporate sell-harm otherwise known as the "737 MAX. Wile Airbus faced the ‘challenge of ending production of Its A380 Super Jumbo, the company reaped ever more success with its ‘A320 Family of ets thanks to Its range ‘of A320 new engine aircraft, dubbed the A320neo. {At the end of 2019, the two ‘gargantuan aircraft manufacturers shared 91% of the world’s ailiner market, which statistically i all but a ‘duopoly. Airbus made massive gains 6 990 vnivwEvaeRo Inthe annual race to claim the ‘most alrcrat delivered in the year, a situation ‘that had built up steam over the preceding five or so years. By the stat 0f G4 of C2019, order books looked considerably different: Abus ledger being 5686 fatter than Boeing's with a then backiog of 7133 jets By the mid-point of 2021, single aisle backlogs at Abus and Boeing were 65% and 35% respectively, not a rosy ‘outlook for Boeing, though it’ igure discounts any order not classed as firm ‘but not cancelied ‘Airbus’ A320neo Family of cleaner and quieter ets includes the A32Ineo, AASILR and the A32TKLR, which, based (on performance metrics, are claimed to better Boeing's 737 MAX 9 and 737 MAX 10, The latter completed its ‘maicen fight on June 18, 2021. sane ee 28 Unedited sw pestionng esac rts ‘reac sg emote even tremens ‘si oder ro Uta za, eg tes ‘sent oe ‘hie 20421 seo Ifevidence is required of the neo ‘capabilities in practice, New York-based low-cost carter JetBive Is launching ‘a transatlantic service between New York JFK and London-Heathrow in ‘August withthe longerange version lof the A32Ineo, Dubbed the ASZILR, the jet can fly a 4,000nm leg, JetBlue is speculating on cashing in with 2 low-cost service to satisfy the number ‘one requirement for most passengers ‘a cheap fare, and to scratch that itch Using a single asl jet which offers ‘a cheaper cost base and provides, rnimbler operations. Last year, Airbus delivered 566 aircraft, a figure that retained the “most aircraft delivered in the year" tile forthe second consecutive year. Boeing's figure was disappointing 157, less than half the number fromthe previous two years, ‘The dizzy height of 800-plus aircraft per year achieved in 2018 and 2019 was knocked down as a direct result (of the COVID-19 pandemic and its knock-on effect to the airline industry Trading results released by Airbus {for G2 CY2021 showed the company dolivered 172 jets compared to 74in {22 CY2020. Boeing's numbers were 179 and 20 respectively. Evidence fof the COVID-19 effect but also an early sign of recovery. Of the 172 jets Airbus delivered, 76.7% were A320 Fanily aircraft, 125 A320ne0s and seven legacy A3206. Quite away from the company’s plan to build 63 ‘per month from this year, and now set {a 3 in 3 C¥2021 and 45 in G4, Orders are still being won, the biggest coming from United Airines start of Q4 CY2019, order books looke oi Tawa than Boeing’s with a then backlog of 7,133 jet {for 70 A32Ine0s (June 29) and 3 25-aicralt order trom Delta Ai Lines {or A3tIneos (Api! 22}, and Dubiin- based lessor Avolon whch signed to ‘4 A320ne0 and eight A32Ineo jets in ‘Apri. The company’s backiog atthe ‘end of June was 6.925, 81% of which wore for A320 Fantlyaicrat. ‘When Airbus released its @1CY2021 results in Apri the company expected to deliver a comparable number of aircraft during 202 as it dd ast year. us’ ledger being 56% fatter Despite its success withthe A320 Family product, evolution continues at Albus witha charge underway to crack the problem of developing zero-emission, hyérogen-powered alrcrat. Airbus has set itself the objective to get the frst such aircraft in service by 2036, Until then, the single-aisle A320ne0 Family of aircraft wil be its number one product, manufactured at four plants fon three continents. @ WWE AERO 8820 7Single Aisle Marvel PISCE) Se PAO Reel AMET) eT ONC Ulling on the relative consortium. Perhaps unsurprisingly, success of ts original AI00__‘the JET programme was turned over and A310 widebody models, 10 Aifbus, which led toa programme bythe late 1970s the pan- of evaluation which started in 1980, European manufacturer had designs covered the 125- to 180-seat market on the single-2isle market and the launch of a new model, Airbus wanted to ake-on Boeing and Douglas and —_SA3, which ultimately became the A319, their dominance ofthe single-aisle A320 and A321 je market, then held with the 737 and Up first on Airbus’ single-aise family MD-80.But Airbus sought to achieve evolution was the SA2 which was that objective witha family of jets lea by the A320. (Origin ofthe A320 ies in the Joint _varant, which did not feature wing tio European Transport programme ‘ences, carried up to 150 passenger involving Aerospatiale, British cover ranges from 2,850nm to 860m ‘Aerospace, Dornier, and Fokker, all epending on configuration, and was ‘ofwhom were partners in the Alrbus equipped witn four fuel tanks housed us inthe wing. The 100 was superseded osteo by the A320:200 variant which offered seamen seater ange thanks to ath uel tank eta on inthe centre wing box ‘eb Ba is » wivneyAsRO AO TTOVE RUMP e ad ror oer eer ces erry Cr Pore ed cd Perey Cer foereeer Dn eared eed Soot Pere Poe feat Porerny erg Pred core ree Prag) Se ae ee a 4iftsin Cee rer pes roc pes See ered ae WHWKEY AERO A820 13Details of the A321 aircraft, the largest model of the A320 Family. ‘the four A320 Family members, A318, A319, ‘A320 and A321, the Tatter is by far the biggest jet measuring 146 in length with @ maximum take-off weight of 208,000Ib, some 23ft longer and 34,0001» heavier than the original 8320. ‘The reader would be forgiven for thinking the A321 was developed from the smaller A320, but this was not the case, When the Joint European Transport programme, involving ‘Aerospatiale, British Aerospace, Dormer, and Fokker (al partners in the Airbus consortium) was tured over to Airbus, the manufacturer evaluated diferent concepts fo ifferent slices of the 125-10 120-seat market segment. Three classes of concept aircraft, dubbed 14 azo wivwixev acne SSA, SA2 and SA3, were evaluated and tulumately designed as the A219, A320 and A321 respectively. But the design efforts were Undertaken concurrently such that the {A321 was on the drawing board before the A320 was launched on March 2 1984, Airbus wanted a stretched version ofthe A320 to compete with Bocing’s then new mic-market 757, which made Its maiden fight on February 19, 1982, while packing an order book of 390 jets. A321 ‘The A321 was the fst variant ofthe {A320 developed and features a aft section inserted forward ofthe wing, ‘and a ft section aft of the wing, It shares @ common type rating with all Airbus A320-family variants, and entered service with German national i Faget aon 20 ‘irlne Lufthansa in 1994, some six years after the A220 entered service. Airbus prototype A321-100 aircraft F-WOWIA (msn 364) was assembled at Hamiburg-Finkenwerder and made its ‘maiden fight from there on March tt, 1998, powered by IAE V2500 turbofan engines. ‘Airbus bull 90 321-100 series aircraft during its original production run between 1993 and 2001. Because additional fuel tanks were not incorporated in its design as compensation forthe ype's extra ‘weight, the A32I-100 had a shorter range compared to the A320. Two years after the A321-100's maiden fight, Airous launched development of an even heavier version dubbed the ‘8321-200, This later series offered ‘transcontinental range, despite theUva aS aS Wel heavier MTOW, thanks to higher thrust-clas versions of the two types of engines, the IAEV2500:A5 and (CFM56-583, structural strengthening, and two optional fuel tanks housed in the aft underfloor hold, each with 790 Us gallons capacity. ‘Airbus flew the fst A321-200 on its maiden fight from Hamburg Finkenwerder during December 1996 and subsequently entered service with UK Monarch Aiines the following Apri ‘According to Airbus’ commercial aircraft deleries data, as of July 2021, total orders for legacy A221s (excluding the A32Ineo) stood at 1.791 aicrat, 1778 of which had been delivered with 1.733 n the fleet. AirAsia Malaysia was the largest ‘operator with 188 alrcratt in operation. A320 15Vr) Airbus A321 Characteristics ery oer pena ener) Cr Cn) reed Soe erry ed Cee Max seating Seer) cn ny eer] Mmo Dee ern nerasy Cer Peers Max fuel capacity Roo ra erred ce eer ed Launch customers ar aaa) Dee ‘eam ee Pra ae Pee eee 7010210 tc’ Era ue s re Pet! Peony Poy creas pros eee ood DnoeeE See eg ae Cee Cn} eCThe Inbetweener Details of the A319 aircraft, the mid-model of the A320 Family. hen Aus launched Depending on ts seating ‘ane-mrurept The A319 the most populr variant the A3IS atthe Pare _coiguaton, an A3I9 can cary terme Aus A320 Fey wth many Airshow on June 10, between 0 and 156 passengers Satan otis operating he type sever! with 1998, thejet was aimed The frst A3I9 FAWWDB nn 546) fleets in excess of 30 of the vant atthe Boeing 737-700 ile did the entered fal assembly at Hamburg: ‘Algiont (38), American Aline (32), company know twould sell near _-Fkenwerder on March 23,1995. Brith Airways 2) Chino Eostem 1500.A3195,ashortened version of _roled-out rom the ascemby Ine Aline (25, Deka Ai Lines (5, the A320 rotedinthe SAI concept, on AUgUS24, 1995 and made Hs eset (109) Latam Anes Grove 46) part ofthe singe-sle studes rom the maiden fight he folowing dey This and United Aitines (25) Fina assembly ory 1970s was the begining of 350-hour ofthe AS'9 tates place a Hambure- By removing seven fuselage frames, fight tesUcerticaton programme Finkenwerder in Germany and Tein fourtorwerdofthe wing and ne a, that volved wo ara V2500- inchina the ASISis BA3inshorerthanthe _VS-powered F-NWDB (msn S46) and 220 whlch necesstted replacement CFMSG.povered F.WWAS sn 572 ofthe bulecargo door wit an eft __Certfeaton forthe CFMSS-equipped Gata Aways waste lunch customer container door and twooverwing exis, arat wes granted in Aprl 1996 forthe AR1LR whichis conigured for andi optonal overwing exte for followed by the V2500-ASn May. long ange operations wih ow-densy, hlgh-densty seat configurations The then Swssaireceved the est premian-neary seating. The A3TOLR Consequenty the ASI wingspanis_acaf, HBAPV (men 578), on Aor (URaenotng ong-enge) has a range wider than the akcrafts overallength 25,1996, wich entered serie the of 4500nm compared the stondrd (se A319 Characteristics folowing month, 29's 3750nm range. 18 ano“When Airbus launched the A319 at tee N Wa N aS aimed at thé Boeing 737-700) ittle did the company know it would sell Tato ot cae Tan So ey {A7-CJB (msn 2341) in Decemiver 2004, On delivery each aircraft was configured with ight business class and 102 economy class seats. ‘After ten years of operations deployed ‘on long-aistance, low demand services, Catar Airways reconfigured each of the two ASTOLR aitcraft with 40 business class fatbeds, ater which the jets were deployed on the carrier's Business One service between Doha and London- Heathrow. After its launch in May 2014, the Business One ASTOLR service was cut in November 2015, and replaced ‘by Boeing 787s and subsequently the ‘4350-1000. The two ATOLRS were reconfigured again, ths time into a two ‘0-seat layout to once again be ‘2 place in history by becoming the first commercial aircraft to land in Antarctica on 2 fight from Australia, Originally operated by Aero Services Executive in 2003, and leased by Air France in 2004, the jet found Its way to Australia. n 2007 the aircraft registered as VH-VHD with Skytraders ‘based at Tulamarine-Melbourne Airport. tis Used on a long-term Australian government ‘contract initaly o support the Australian ‘Antarctic Divison fying passengers and freight between Hobart, Tasmania, o an ice base near to the Casey research station fon the Antarctic continent. Skytraders has subsequently used the arcraft to support ‘other government agencies including the ‘Australian Border Force, Victoria Police, and ‘Australian Maritime Safety Authority. >> EK VAL LS) Te nn Peta Se eee In the 4320 Family Seg variants ofthe Airbus A320 Family See ee or eee) Pen cee Ens whee! nose gear. The main gears emer ers Eee een eee eee nee ee eto! ee ee ed eee a ee oe Coe ee a cone eee) ec See ee) hydraulically operated system with four eee ae ao) Boerne a Pee eer ee eer ee een ad Ca eer eed emo ee tne at Coe nT ee eee ee aa Bae ees Seen ens ce Cees Cc een four af) housed inthe underfioor hol. eee eed nee Sete Cees Se Cee Pee eee ey Pee ete) Se eo ete ee ey Ce eee an CsiAirbus A319 Characteristics ror osm Peery eer Co On Peed Sey eid cd ‘Typical seating con cord err) co CC Peer erry Dees Cees Cd Sener ere ce Launch date Ces eee or cote) ey ca ane Peed ry Ea) cere Pay eed een ee od perer) eros Sees rare Mach 0.82 Peer cel Per) Peal eo co Peter te eke sc ee nd pee ney eonsyTaare] =J0r! eautifully Formed De Ome ele leer Ut ML eau Rem EPR letween 2001 and 2013, Airbus built 30 ABIES at its Hamburg-Finkenwerder facilty. Designed for short- range regional routes, the A318 isthe smallest variant in the A320 Family but the largest aitiner with European Aviation Safety Agency certification (issued in March 2006) for steep approaches used at metropolitan airports, most notably London City Airport Denver-based Frontier Aitines was launch customer for the A3IB and accepted 1! into service between July 22, 2003, and June 2007, All Jets were scrapped, the frst to leave. ‘operational service with Frontier exted In April 2008, Industry observers reckon {A318 engines and components held ‘more value than the aircraft isola the pointin time when the operator retired the jet. Today, Air France remains the largest operator ofthe baby Airbus with 1 alrcratin ts let as of August 202 A318 The A3IB was bon out of disagreement between Airbus and Chinese aerospace ‘companies while trying to jointly develop a new jtiner under a project ‘dubbed the AE3IX. Design work for the ‘AE3IX had been underway since 1997, ‘Aer the joint venture bit the dust, the ‘concept morphed into a shorter version ‘of the A3I9, dubbed the ASTOMS and by its April 1999 launch date the ASI. No one could have predicted the bad timing ofthe A318's launch. Less than two and a half years before the ‘September 1 terrorist attacks on New ‘York, Washington OC and Pennsylvania which destroyed the demand for air travel. That was a big challenge for Airbus, but notin isolation The then new Pratt & Whitney PW16000 turbofan engines proved to be 100 thirsty and an alternative powerplant was not avaliable unt A3IB customers had jumped ship to the A319 and A320. But why would caries opt forthe larger stablemates? For one, aviation law in the United States and Europe places the A3IBin the same class as the larger ‘A319 and A320, burdening the baby ‘Airbus withthe same landing fee. And team 19 pe it ‘tren ong ‘emt hip, same ‘A -congtt egtetn DA, roman 29 ‘bird ter ‘reo ne 2003 Innere 207 cat ws pen Stoop on tawny Seppe tong ees secondly, the A318 had been hit hard by the strong sales of Bombardier's (CRJ900 and Embraer’ E-Jet Family Steep Approach Capability The type's steep approach capability is enabled by modification to the acrat {ight control laws, when and only when, the pilot selects the steep approach funetion. in ianing configuration, spoiler panels are automatically deployed to generate edetiona dag this enables age path up to 55" to be flown. A standard approach is own with a glide path The ist A318 equipped withthe steep approach software modifiaton was delivered to Bish Airways during the summer of 2009. © “Designed for short-range ote Mees Ce Rete ee A320 Family.”ECTS C RHE cand Length cone Cer Doe Fuselage width cee PSE LS ST oar cee ena ee Core eer eter oa rr So) aed sey dene abel Te Rao Ary ce lensing-geax comprising two main paren eo pene erneenic pees rd eer Track 2a in Pee there ent Cag Aan Bement ns centreline, while the nose gear eer oe Et eee pon peas bidadad Cea eI oe ro cot Cee ee Range Er eee cor] ee ao Peer eee Maxramp weight ee nena Max take-off weight Pere bninesie) rey Ped eee Peery Ped cofadeiaee itn, Max fue capacity Ce ee eng ener re cee eres ee eee eee rr) eo eres eed Cea pa iis paeeins ‘an aualary power unit (APU) ae eee eee) re eee eee eee) CO ea oe eee Sere ey controls located on the fight eee nea ene Pe ee ces Seg oer) Er a In each wing, with a centre tank Cee ee ee eee Ce ee ee ere flaps lap pylons, horizontal stabilisers, landing gear doors, ee eee nd Ce oes Pe caret re ce Beene! Eee ar) Ce eee Cees oe7 Xr EINE a0 oer eee . Mark Broadbent profiles the latest-generation Airbus A320ne: i »yt) he Airbus A220 is the biggest. selling airliner family ever. Since the original A320 was launched backin early 1984, there have been more than 18,500 orders. With the A320neo (new engine option) ‘madels accounting for over 6,000 examples ofthis total by the start of October 2018, Abus has leary had no problems selling the latest re-engined variants and ensuring the A320 is ever more firmly entrenched as the dominant single-aisle aircraft, with around 60% market share Key Numbers ‘Airbus announced the A320ne0 in December 2010, offering two diferent engine options, the Pratt & Whitney (PEW) PwT006-M-series geared- turbofan and the CFM Intemational LEAPAA, ‘These more fuel-efficient powerplants effer double-digit reductions nfl bum and emissions compared the A320ce0 (lassie engine option) variants, as the previous-generation models powered by International Aero Engines V2500-series and CFM56-78s are now marketed ‘Airbus says that compared to those aircraft the A320ne0 offers a 15% fue! bum reduction per seat (prior tothe COVID-19 pandemic, the target was to achieve @ 20% reduction per seat by 2020}, 5% lower airframe maintenance costs and 14% lower cash operating costs per seat ‘The manufacturer also says A320ne0s are 50% quieter (2008 less than ICAO's Stage IV requirements) and emit 5,000 tonnes less carbon dioxide per year and '50% less nitrous oxide emissions than the CAEPIG incustry standard Development The baseline A320n€0 conducted is first ight with PWI27G engines {designated the 4320-271) in September 2014 and with LEAP-AZ6s {the A320-25iN) in May 2015. The A220- ZTWN received US Federal Aviation ‘ministration certieation in November OMe LCC Ua M ES emcee og} Cale gM ROE NORE AUSe cabin, Airbus is always keen to stress its commonality with the legacy A320ceo.” 2015, with service entry following in srt -azaee January 2016 with Lufthansa, The Ne a Januory 2016 with Lufthansa, The A320. FANWiog a 251N was cetified in May 2016 and delivered to Pegasus Aitines in Turkey ‘wo months later. The A32Ineo with LEAP-1A32/33 ‘engines (A321-251N) frst flew in February 2016, folowed a month later by the PWI133G-JM (A321-271N) Virgin America received the initial (CFM-equipped jt in Apri 2017, with Al Nippon Airways putting the frst PSWW-powered aircraftinto service in September 2017 Initial test fights of the smallest family. member, the A3I9n20, took pace in 2017 and the first ets remain on order. ‘The smallest A320ce0 family model the ‘A318, is not part of the neo upgrade. Family Variants Each variant has ts own ole nthe product range. With 165 seats in two cass configuration (094 single-lass) ‘and 3.500am range, the A320ne0 is optimised asa shor to medium-range workhorse serving network aitine and lo-cost cartier sectors, charter operations an regional ght such 25 coastto-coast inthe United Stats, Ina-Asa or inra-Gu In standard configuration, the {Ag2Ineo offers 3.67Snm range and 185 seats n two-class configuration (220 ‘leeconomy) on ABZILR configuration {cee lte) upto 4000nm range and 206 seats in two-class comguration(244 maximum). The A3tSne0 is the smallest family member with capacity for 40 passengers in two-class Configuration (maximum 160) and 3,750nm range, Engines The mostimportnt ference between {atin fay vents ond fr 18320ce0 forebears are the PWTIO0G {UM and LEAP A turbofans. eee ee ete than the 56 inches ofthe V2500= and CFYS6-78s powerpent onthe {A320ceos: he PWIZ7G-IM's sin and the LEAPAAsis78n A lorge fan Glameter provides high bypass rato {iat onthe PWITOOG-IM and on the LEAPAA) to improve efiency and reduce fel consumption. The PWT100G-IM has a gearbox between te fan and the low-pressure compressor(LPC) 10 enable te fant rotate ot loser tts optimum speed and make the low-pressure turbine (LPT more filet The PWHOOG-IM ha 16 stages tree Inthe LPC eight inthe nigh pressure compressor HPC), two inthe high pressure tubie (PT) and ee inte pn} the LEAP-A has 22 stags Qhvee LPC, en HPC wo HPT, seven LPT oth engin types feature acranced new technologies to reduce weight and improve eficiency. The PUTIO0G-JM was the frst commercial ero engine feature tanta eturnium (TA alloys in the LPT blades; according to MTU {Aero Engines (one of PAW's suppliers) blacles made from this compound Weigh half as much as the nickel alloys traditionally used and can operate at higher temperatures. The LEAP-A also features TiAl parts. Other new technologies in the CFM engine are ceramic matrix composite ‘materials inthe HPT shroud, designed to reduce welght, improve efficiency {and optimise cooling, and 3-D woven carbon fibre composite fan blades and fan case (manufactured using a resin ransfer moulding process), The metal fuel nozzles are manufactured using an ‘additive manufacturing process (where parts are created using layers of fine metal powder), which CFM saysis up to 25% lignter than traditional nozzles, Sharklets and Optimised Cabin Another key nev feature on the 'A320ne0 are Sharklets, the 7 9in devices that replace the previous wingtip fences and are designed to Improve it and reduce drag, Altbus introduced Sharkets on the '4320ce9, initially as an option on new. build aircraft and subsequently as a retrofit for in-service jets, but they are standard on the A320ne0. The company says they provide up to 4% reduced fuel burn over longer sectors and an annual carbon dioxide reduction of around 1,000 tonnes per arcrat. Innovations continue inside the aircraft. The A320ne0 variants have thinner sidewall pane's that have enabled Arbus to introduce what t calls ebficioncy enablers, which, the company Claims, “allow anes to ft more seats Inthe cabin wth equivalent comfort, or the same number of seats with more comfort” ‘A new rear lavatory and galley arrangement called Space-Flex converts, previously unused cabin space in the rear bulkhead into revenue space, with up to si extra seats, as wall as an accessible lavatory. A separate arrangement called Cabin-Flex features ‘new optimised lavatory and modified over wing emergency exit positions that enable airines to use the maximum Usable cabin length. These features are designed to maximise the arraf's efficiency and improve its per-seat operating cost. In 2017, Aifous announced it woul offer its Airspace cabin as an option ‘across its entire single-aisle family, either as ane fit or retrofit. Airspace was originally concelved for the A350 and A33One0, but it was logical for Airbus to rollit out tis single- aisle models to offer cabin design commonality across its range, A kay feature of Airspace on the A320ne0 isthe overhead storage Compartment, which Airbus claims is ‘ow the largest on a single-ssle aircraft. ‘The bin is 40% bigger than the A320ceo >}bin, meaning bags can be stored vertically and enabling five rather than four 28 x 16 x 10in bags to be carried, ‘Airspace is introducing fully customisable LED mood lighting there are 164 milion colour options, fully integrated window shades, and an Updated lavatory featuring coloured ‘mood lighting, antibacterial coatings, an automatic aroma dispenser, and sound and touchless control option. Airspace also has a modular in-flight entertainment platform with overhead video and in-seat audio/video 28 A920 nwwi on-demand and provision for in-seat ower, wireless flexible connectivity and ‘mobile telephony. Alrbus says introduction ofthe full ‘space package on the A320ne0 will, take place in 202%; the low-cost carier JetBive will be the frst to putt into Commonality ‘Although the A320ne0 has new generation engines, the Shaklets and revised cabin, Abus skeen to stess its commonality with the A320ce0, The ‘company emphasised to the author: “twas a key factor of success for the customer. They appreciate they have improvements in performance and fuel bum without any penalty on services ‘and support. I's a winswin” Airbus’ communications on the .4320ne0 family contain few specific {details about commonality with the legacy A320ce0, but research reveals @ litle more detail about how it was achieved. An article in @ 202 issue of the company's FAST (Flight Airworthiness Suppor Technology) ee saz0o VA ose {9 etTnseon awardees posspublication noted that Abus only changed “whats necessary to integrate the new engines, keeping the rest ofthe aireratt in harmony with the operators! existing economic ane logistical models" ‘The article explained afeasibiity study uring the design phase graded items in the A320ne0's Recommended Spare Past Listing (RSPL) against four criteria fully common with the A320ceo: partially common, with only shared hardware; partially common, but interchangeable; and non-common ‘The FAST article gave a couple of examples of how this analysis influenced the design. twas determined the hardware forthe fight augmentation, elevatovaileron and the display ‘menagement computers requited only a software update and, “once loaded conto the part, itcan be installed on either the neo or standard A320 family aircraft’ The RSPL analysis also showed ‘modifying the integrated drive generator (106) on the LEAP-A to add functionality “would have changed the part number” ‘om the IDG used on the A320ce0, so the modification was rejected and the existing IDG retained. {An Airbus spokesperson said the extensive commonality between an 'A320ce0 and an A320ne0 means “there is no impact on the customers” in terms of spares and the supply chain between operating an A320ce0 and an A320neo, It also means there are few additional training costs for engineering ‘and fight crews when an operator takes ‘0n A320neos: the new models have the same type rating asthe older aircraft and an A320ce0-quaified plot can fly 8 A320ne9 ater attending only one training course. Introductory Issues ‘Anough the A320neo variants are packed wth new tecnoogies,roriclly issues wth the most crucial of those technologies - the engines ~ have ed t0 ig eruption aecting the aircrafts service entry Startup and cooldown sues with the PWTI00Gs prompted the first slated PWII276-IM-equipped A320ne0 operator, Qatar Airways, to reject its fst aircraft, eaving Lufthansa to take up that mantle instead, The PWHIO0G-JM has subsequently experienced problems with the combustion chamber, fan blade ‘and cracking ofthe knife-edge seal in the HPC. The seal cracking led to some in-lght shutdowns and rejected teke- offs, prompting the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in February 2018 to issue an emergency airworthiness directive forthe engine, The LEAP-1A had fewer reported Issues, although earl-build engines reportedly suffered problems with the booster performance in the compressor section, and there was a degradation Issue with the ceramic matrix composite shoud on the HPT, Both suppliers addressed the respective issues with each engine, introducing changes to the manufacturing process and retrofitting {kes to the affected powerplants already in service. Nevertheless, the probloms disrupted the PW and CFM production Ines and the supply chains feeding them, which meant Airbus recelved fewer engines than expected and, in turn, caused lowerthan-planned A320n€0 delivery rates, Avisible consequence ofthe disruption was the sight of dozens of newly produced A320ne0s sat at ‘Toulouse outside the final assembly line awaiting their engines. At one point, in ‘the spring of 2018 there were around 100 such aircraft, known as ‘gliders, parked at Toulouse. Speaking at an Investors conference in London in July of that year, Arbus’ commercial aircraft president Guillaume Faury told investors 1 "backloaded recovery plan" would see an upturn in engine deliveries in late 2018 and a corresponding increase in the pace of aircraft deliveries. And at the time, Airbus told the author it was maintaining its target of delivering ‘around 800 A320 family aicrat by the lend of 2018 Of course, this does not mean things “With the A320neo models accounting for over 6,000 orders by the startiof October. 2018, Airbus has had no problems selling the ede ngined variants.” wore not ciscuptive for customers. ‘A Lufthansa spokesperson told the author: "We were delighted to be the launch customer for the A320ne0 and are stil convinced ofthe quieter and fuel-efficient engine technology, but unfortunately we have been behind schedule for months and we are cleatly feeling tis capacity bottleneck.” Lufthansa was orginally ue to have nine A320neos by the end of 2017 and receive more aircraft in 20'8, but by the start of October it only had 3, and the spokesperson sald the carrier expected ‘ony four more A320ne0s by the end of 2018, Lufthansa was hopeful ofthe Issues being resolved, the spokesperson teling the author:"We expect the shortages and technica ficulties with the engine to end quickly” Mary other aitines had fewer > A300 35(0r240 passengers in single-cass high-density layout (at 28in seat pitch) ‘compared tothe baseline, i non: ‘ABILR-configured, aircraft Both with ‘extra fuel stored in three ACTS, including ‘on ETOPS routes. Moreover, the ETOPS. ‘authorisation enables up to 180 minutes single-engine diversion time, which is sufficient for performing any transatlantic route. ‘To achieve the higher performance, ‘Airbus has applied minor structural changes tothe wing and fuselage tocroate a 213,8481b max take-off eight, up from the baseline A3ZIneo's 206.1221, a third 790 US gallon auxiry centre fuel tank, and the Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF internal changes. Such design credentials enable airlines to open new long-range routes and offer 8 more efficient replacement for older, ‘utot-production midsize single-nisle ‘alcraft such as Boeing 757s used on transcontinental and intercontinental routes ‘Airbus says the A32ILR can serve city pairs such as New York—Paris, Lsbon-Recife, Tokyo-Kuala Lumpur SingaporeSydney, and Dubai-Bejing, Following a 100-hour fight test ‘campaign through 2018, on October 2, Airbus announced it had received Joint European Aviation Safety Agency ‘and Federal Aviation Administration 7. approval. Certiiation enables the \\g ‘AS2ILR to operate with upto three Underfloor adeitional centre tanks. ACTS, including for ETOPS operation Commenting on the certification, ‘Airbus said: "The A32ILR's certification includes: (@) approval of the major ‘change to instal up to three optional ACTsin the A32Ine0 - with their associated new fuel management systems and lower-fuselage structural reinforcements; and (the approval ‘of the A32Ineo's ACF option which Incorporates a modified fuselage structure with new door arrangements together with a higher max take-off weight capability of up to 213,848!6. ft should be noted that only A32Ine0s. which have the new ACF structure can offer the 213,8481b MTOW and the abilty to install three ACTS. Previously, the ‘A321 Family could accommodate up to “The A321neo prototype made Maca ice al- ue) ke cn cepa BAC 2016, and entered service with Viele eM O A‘wo ACTS. While the ACF configuration will become standard forall new ‘ASZIne0s delivered, the 213,84810 MTOW capabilty and the ability to cary up to thvee ACTS willbe options. For the ACTs, customers specify prior to ‘alcrat manufacture whether the aircraft isto be equipped with an expanded fuel management system as well as the necessary structural reinforcements to secure the underfloor ACTS” Airbus notes the A3ZILR wil be the longestrange single-aise airtner, “making itideally suited to transatlantic routes and enabling ates to tap into new long-haul markets which were not previously accessible to single aisle aircrat’ Itis designed to be an efficient long-range replacement for ageing midsize arraft that operate thin transcontinental or tansatlanc routes such as Boeing 757s. A graphic on D-AZVO's fuselage depicting the Statue ‘of Liberty andthe Eiffel Tower indicates the typical route for which the AS2ILR Is intended, However, Arbus also stresses the itr fs1000m zie Femi ao {22imo- tendon ‘hie cer 278 Mk fantom letersi ening ed AZO Faniypepmae, sf at, Ini andor Caan serie neste naa (etnaonlene Fores & ‘AB2ALR's adaptability, teling the author: “itis a very flexible airrat. You can perform short-haul missions, medium haul missions or you can go transatlantic with 200 passengers f you have the third ational fue! tank, You can ade or remove the additional fuel tank given the type of mission you want to perform.” ‘Airbus handed over the first ASZILR, 4XAGH (msn 8517, tothe subvariant’s launch operator Arkia Israel Allies on November 14,2018. Powered by CFM LEAP-A engines, Arka's AZ2ILRs are configured with 220 seats ina single- class layout ‘Although the AS2ILRis an aircraft ‘optimised fora niche segment ofthe ‘commercial aireratt market, thas proven ‘successful since its launch in 2085, with ‘orders ftom Aer Lingus, Aka, Ar Astana, Air Azores, Air Busan, Air Transat, Gulf ir JetBlue, SAS, TAP Portugal, as well as the lessors AerCap (which wil lease some ‘examples to Alr Transat) and Air Lease Corporation. ‘The A32ILR was not the final A320neofamily development. Boeing has studied ‘New Mid-market Airplane (NMA) concept fr several years and prior tothe COVID-19 pandemic there were reports Itcould launch a new mid-market aicrat (dubbed the 797 by some, although not publicly by Boeing) in 2079, ‘A launch by Boeing did not happen, but following very psive feedback from the marke, Airbus lounched the [ABZIKLRat the 2019 Pars Alrshow to complement ts bestseling AS2Ineo Family, Expected to enter service in 2023, ‘optimistically Airbus claims the A321XLR willoferarange of upto 4700am allowing airines to operate a lower-cost single-asle aircraft on longer and less heavily travelled routes — many of which ‘are only currenty serve by larger and less efiient wide-body airrat. ‘The AB2IKLR is designed to maximize ‘overall commonality withthe A32ILR and the rest ofthe A320ne0 Family, wile Introducing minimal changes needed to give the aircraft an extra long-range withthe al-important increased revenue payload. (Changes include the new permanent ear centre tank (RCT) for more fuel volume; a modified landing gear for an Increased maximum take-off weight (TOW) of 222,666ib; and an optimised wing traling-edge flap configuration to preserve the same take-off performance ‘and engine thst requirements as the {A32Ineo, The new optimised RCT holds ‘more fuel than several optional ACTS (on the A32ILR, while occupying less space in the cargo hold, thereby freeing Lp space in the underfloor hold for ‘addtional cargo and baggage. By May 2021, structure pilot ine dedicated to the A321KLR at Abus Hamburg-Finkenwerder assembly eclty received the fist fully equipped rear centre [uel tank (RCT) from Premium AEROTEC. Aifous sald the delivery heralded the stat ofthe assembly ofthe ‘aerate rear and centre fuselage, Unique tothe A32IXLR, the 3,460 US gallon capacity RCT is permanently Installed in the lower pat of fuselage een etrtr get lieo Iisitt oh ee a 25,200, ‘cong esate Inte opt, pret pe 5 Scondnon ier (sn aonb aoa, sections 15 and 17, located at ofthe main landing gear bay. Ths isan alt new main component assembly and associated fuel systems for the A321 ‘Working toa tight ime schedule, installation ofthe new components was a challenge enough in itself, but ‘one made tougher because ofthe COVID-9 pandemic, and its impacto calaborative work on the A321KLR, ‘According to Stephan Meyer, head of ‘AS2IXLR industrial centre aft fuselage, the various teams used digital tools and a co-design approach to keep the installation process on track Structural assembly of section 15 started in mig-Apil withthe integration of shells supplied by RUAG, the centre wing box from the company’s Nantes plant, and the keel beam and rear flange module, both from Premium AEROTEC. The process of assembling the first RCT took place on the dedicated line in Finkenwerder’s Hangar 260. The dedicated AS2IXLR Ine Is located away from the rest ofthe A320 line to avoid causing an impact on existing single- aisle production Digitally designed in 30, the plot ine enables design data to be seamlessly introduced to the production process and enabled design validation before assembly started to include ergonomics, operations, and logistics Integration of the RCT module into section 7, followed by the start ofthe equipment assembly phase ofthe first A321XLR which is planned for the autumn, and subsequent installation of flight test equipment. Less than two months later, Airbus teams started assembly of the nose and fron fuselage sections ofthe fistaircraft at the Aicbus Saint Nazaire faity in Western France, ‘Speaking atthe time, Sébastien Verger, ABZIKLR project manager at Sait Nazaire sad: “We were able to anticipate the structural and systems assembly phases ofthe frst fuselage with our full- length physical mockup allowing us to test in advance the AS2IKLR's structural and systems modifications and to prepare the assembly phases: Paul Molitor, A321KLR development project manager said:"A dedicated launch teams following the first aircraft at each step of production. Teams from passenger door configuration, with new over- wing emergency exits in the centre section introduced.” A321XLR ‘manufacturing engineering, technical coordination, logistics, quality, and dedicated operators are working collaboratively during the production process. ‘Airbus si the fst fully assembled and fully equipped nose and front fuselage willbe delivered from Saint Nazaire to Hamburg-Finkenwerder for final assembly ofthe frst A320KLR fight tot aicraftin 04 2021. Atthe time, Airbus expressed confidence that ‘assembly of the fist A3ZIKLR was on track to support the aircrafts entry ito service by 2023. le modifi section anda modifi ay Aon tener sent ety reed ety ‘eugene efx re rein ‘am is strep 5 ee ee ee See eset) Pee ean ere ec) Cee eee eee max take-off weight vs the A320, both the eet eee) See een es eee ee eT cere eno eens See eee Ce ee located under the wing retract sideways toward eee gear cs or and eee ae nea ee en Ce eet ay ene eee es Oe en ene ery eee na Ea ee eer) eee eee ett ee ee ered Se Tt a enn + Aung and vent surge tank are housed ee ee ee ee eet eet te ea ets eerie pene een Scena ares flaps, ap See ed ema eect eee Se eau Ca ote eenyx (0 lS, PA irbus A3Zineo Characteristics ian ‘3ttOin aa era) cy Pera 2 a) Ly ee oan Pa ered ca Max seating ee eo eer) eee) oy Eero Range Pe Core Ces ye a reer CT porn) . poe er Per Deer Cor) Ce eneens coy oe Dey Ero Seon Pea Peres coer ae een Oe etre Er ret Penn) ad February 9, 2016 | ee eed TendLk Pie, Menernese n300 41Sold Out to a Canadian? Details of the mid-model A319neo member of the A320neo Family. March 31, 2017, A3t9ne0 D-AVWA msn TEEAX 6464), powered by CFM lh International LEAP-1A, om vagy ‘engines took-off from Hamburg Finkenwerder on its maiden fight = bound forthe gargantuan Aifbus facility at Toulouse. Test pilots Miche! ‘Gagneux and Eckard Hausser were at the controls with fight test engineer Jean Michel Pin completing the crew. “The five-hour fight involved general handling ofthe aircraft and multiple test points of the LEAPAA engines and the sirraft’s main systems atthe start ‘of a 500:plus hour fight test campaign Some 755 days later on Apri 25, 2019, the same aircraft made its maiden flight powered by Pratt & Whitney PWI100G engines from Toulouse. Test pilot Philippe Castaigns ang Shaun ‘Wildey were atthe controls with fight test engineers Frank Hohmelster, David = ARB SA (O'Nons andthe tet fight engincer with Arbus orders and deliveries dla M-IuAMBaw _A3tEneo can operate at spors wih Cece Favchon completing the crew. ndcating just 53 orders bythe end of MEME | hortr runways frend hance Thisfightretumedto Toulouse and 2018, and 73.by July 2021 wih thee fniannia demanding hot nd high apors beter lasted 2hrs SOmins involving test points delivered, less than 1% of the total eae than the A220. Airbus maintains the ofthe atet'simeln system, notlest orders for AS2Oneo Family iodate. SAMMMLM, ataneo son eppropite jt to mest the PUMONG engines. Porte the COVID-® pandemic, _-smatmhawins” the requirements ef riche goverment matket demand wes te most mporant Seta, business, and rv operators One A319neo c mile d, reason why A31Sneo sales had been so ees. snus other factor faced by Airbus’ A319neo but why low sales? eee eee ereeat ae ee ‘Abus A22One0 rage hed been catering forte eapecty needs of most emsrawewae _aiines donot eque replacing based ceri ter the AStEneo powered carers Sumter relatively young age by Patt Whitey PHTIOOG engines But the A318ne0 ocupies an Eitatesia™ Sales of A220s continue tock long, received joint type cetfcatin from the awkward sptin the Abus Famiy i's Sawin and 644 A220 seis aircraft nave been Eaepea Ae See Rome orem ete oer eno te ea erdered with 68 delvered the Federal Avalon Administration on deslgntion given tothe CSeles after ‘Once the COVID8 pandemic stuck November 28,2018 [Abus acquired the programme ftom delves of new commerce etnes Sie ocaerel ene wre eee aC enero eer peel coled en'ntensveceticaton ight Compared tothe A3toneo, the tne cancelation of orders videspesd test programme’ invoMing over 500 Canadien deslgned et cares asm Attough the at One's sales ae low fight hours folowing that ia Prtt & number of passengers and Is some relative ts ster aera the varont Whitney powered take of 10m cheope. However these sighty remains art ofthe Abus sgl-asle Geforce yt tees eee re > 42 aa20Pad LCE ORC Be slowly, with Airbus orders and. foe eerie wlglelfe--114(e PO aed orders by July 2021 with three cel TT Jo 20 43OV RC en eu fond earn ee eee Se ad ed coe een ae een Max seating Sd ca oo ee co Pray Peery Cea eae oe ee eee oe eee oer eee 48 320 cro ee a) nae) ery Fey Se Ca Pray ed 160 winen configured in single class OTe ens Srl Te) reer reed Pos Prd Cee Seo to a etea Tee Peete) eee Ce enonWHEKEY AERO ABO 45,ACJ320neo: A Flying Mark Ayton reviews the latest new engine option variants of Airbus Corporate Jets 1 February 27, 2020, Famborough-based ‘Acropolis Aviation, a ‘WEP charter operator t00k delivery of the frst ACJ320ne0, Powered by two CFM International LEAPAA26CJ engines, ACJ320ne0 G-KELT (4320-251N, msn 8403) arrived atthe Hampshire base following 13 months of outfitting with AMAC ‘Aerospace in Basle, Switzerland The fancy interior was designed by renowned Italian designer Alberto Pint, Airbus delivered the jt to Acropolis ‘Aviation at its gargantuan Toulouse ‘complex, after which G-KELT was ferried to AMAC's facility at EuroArport Basel Muthouse-Freiburg, 46 A220Penthouse 0S be (Comtrade fat A02tesisc ‘aamistoone ris teibesncey eng sa ‘Sateen oneenter 200 ‘An ACJB20ne0 Is an A320ne0 alcraft, xuriously mocified by 8 specials third party as an Airbus Corporate Jet. G-KELT has a cabin capacity for 19, with sleeping for 7, an average cabin aittude of 6,400", and features a cabin sichumiifer Acropolis Aviation describes the Interior of G-KELT as elegant ang spacious, with {foward to at) a kitchen, an open-plan forward lounge, a mid- cabin conferenceisining area, a ear lounge, and a private master bedroom with a king-size bed and an en suite bathroom atthe rear. Satcom Direct supplied Acropolis with a custom-made Inmarsat Jet ConneX intfight Wi-Fi system, capable of supporting video streaming, lve TV, “Farnborough-based Acropolis Aviation, a VIP charter operator took delivery of the'first ACJ320neo on February 27, 2020,” video calls, arge fle transfers and VPN, ia Inmarsat’ Ka-band satelite network for G-KELT, The Jet ConneX system also enables secure communications to and from the flight deck, including automated alerts such as GeoNotificatons, route alerts and security alerts. At Acropolis Famborough base, the fight planning ‘and operations departments also recelve data about the ateraft from a data management system called SD Pro. (On board, the JetConneX system ‘enables every passenger simultaneous ‘access to the internet, hone, video Conferencing and ive TV streaming G-KELT is equipped with three systems produced by Collins > WME AERO NB 47‘management system; the Stage infight entertainment system; and the Viu LED ‘moodslighting system. Venue featur With high bandiwicth that supports the on-board wireless network, fibre-optic b Intuitive touchs llers, and onfigurable displays. ‘Stage provides the latest movies, efreshed monthly trom a web-based menu managed by the Acropolis ight di asa i fit ‘Acta wes Fabra se ep ato een 27.200 system provides flexible fulspectrum colour lighting supplied in strip form ‘measuring tee to 90in in length (in in and V4 o 12in in width, The is are flexible enough to fit around “ures, to create a wal of subtle ight, With the durability for toe ki pathways, wth multiple mounting methods, 2 lighting for a washroom sand Comlux (On March 25, 2018, Swiss-basea ynlux, a business aviation, transaction, ‘and completion rovider took ry ofthe frst CFM LEAPLIA- powered ACJB20ne0 aircraft at Aitbus Toulouse complex. The arraft was subsequently feried to a Comiux ‘ompletion facility at Inianapol International Airport for outfitting with a unique VIP cabin interior. Features alled include a Ka-band satcom provide all passengers with us high-speed internet connectivity throughout the cabin, ‘The aircraft was delivered to an Undisclosed customer on September 2020; a second aircraft was delivered in the spring of 2021, to be followed by a thir aircraft in the autumn,Pecornonineny eeccett “AC J320ne0 G-KELT (msn 8403) eer une ney 13 months of outfitting with AMAC Desoto See ACJ320neo Fate ‘Airbus eae parity with those ofthe Finer as big Gulfstream and Bombarcier models. Us aso claims that operating cost ‘are similar because the costs of spares and training are less than traditional thanks to the surrenty Family aircraftin service, the bulk being [AC.I3195, ten ACJB20s and 20 ACI3IBs, and Airbus believes demand forthe :20ne0 Family wil come from overniments and corporate overs as wel as private incviduals. @ ACJ320NEO Na TTS + Available with CFM International Peete Pwit00G engines. ee) centre tanks, ee ed aod ee eer Cte cos Cts eee ete Te ed Pe aa ees cers Otte uo) ee one) (area) Fn eee aei 0 RN WEP aUOVS NUT Leg ed Length omer ey eet) ney Perey Pore a A Peed Seer ey oe Ser cn Ce cer con Max take-off weight Max landing weight Max zero fuel weight Max fuel capacity Engines Cy eee Poe Ee cent Pry co era a ae Peed 25 ae cen Pa) ‘aifesin ees CC Pee Peer parord or Pre) Pe ee eee ar eee en eeaee auc Ren ec enon eeSecond Lives Mark Ayton profiles some of the latest developments in the expanding area of passenger-to-freighter conversions. Additional information from Mark Broadbent.‘emand for passenger-to- freighter (P2F) conversions issky high, fuelled by the ‘continued expansion of ‘e-commerce and the increased demand for eight. Allthis activity and more is ‘evidence of a Boom in the converted freighters market segment, growth which the industy expects willbe sustained for ‘many years to come, A320P2F and A321P2F Elbe Flugzeuguerke based in Dresden, Germary, ST Engineering in Singapore, and Airbus are curently working on ‘AS2OP2F and A321P2F conversions. Both programmes were originally launched at the 2015 Paris Air Show. The A320P2F has 1 main-deck Unit Load Devices (ULD) positions and carries 46,3000 of payload over 2,100nm and the larger ASZIP2F has 14 main-deck ULD positions, carties a 59,500 payload and boasts @ range of 900nm, AP2F conversion includes the installation ofan extra-large, hydraulically actuated and electrically locked main ‘cargo door on the forward fuselage, @ Ciass E main deck cargo compartment, a fll rigid 9g cargo/smoke barier with a sliding door, window plugs, @ replaced and reinforced floor grid, new freighter floor panels, main deck cargo linings and celings, Doors 2R,3L,3R, AL and 4R are eactveted and mechanically locked and, like the A330P2F, there is upgraded hydraulic, fre protection, ighting, an air istribution. revised fight deck includes the cockpit, supemumerary seats anda now lavatory, Arbus says advantages of the AB20P2F and A221P2F include compatiblity with the A330P2F, enabling crews to move across fleets and mixed eet fying, Market Trends In shor, there's lt of activity inthe ‘conversions market because a couple of trends are coalescing, Fist and despite the choppy state ofthe air cargo market in recent years, the continued increase in e-commerce, not least by Amazon's seemingly never-ending expansion Second, 8 growing feedstock of aircraft reaching the end oftheir service lives as passenger ailiners is also driving the P2F market. A point has been reached in the product ife cycle of these aircraft where their residual values have fallen to @ point where itis cost-effective for asset owners to.convert them to freighters. ‘These background factors are set tokeep the P2F conversions market buoyant well into the future, according to the manufacturers, Airbus latest Global Market Forecast envisages 8 requirement for more than 1600 conversions over the next 20 years. Wit this long-term potential its ite wonder there are set tobe futher developments inthe sector. Saxon-Asian Freighter Back on February 7,208, Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW)ba5ed nn Dresden, Germany ants joint venture partners ST Enginoerng and Abus nnounced Va Slulone Sa (Vala) sits launch customer forts A321P2F passengerto-eghter conversion, “he Frencn company has commited to ASZPZF freighters each ‘-palet cargo contiguaton. According {DEF the ASIP2F isthe fist ns size catagory to offer containerised loading inboth the main deck up to ‘container postions andiowor deck (upto 10 container poston Theis peyloasenge capbity of 62,0001 ‘over 2300nm is described by EFW 25 "penerous and del for express domestic and regional operetons Each ASZIPOF features optimised weight ditibuton to enable empty fights and random loading, and provides flexibly fr operon poricular express cavers > wwekevAeno aaa 63the time ofthe announcement Gregoire Lebigot, president and CEO of Vala sai: "We see a huge potential in the A3Z1P2F, not only as replacement ofthe B757F, but asa key too! or the cargo industry to achieve the projected ‘roth rate ofthe air eight market in ‘general ~ in particular criven by express services and e-commerce, The A321P2F willbe the fist airrat to introduce a containerised lower deck tothe matket segment of narrow body freighters: a significant game changer for any hub {and spoke operation: ‘The prototype A32IP2F made is fest post conversion fight on January 22, 2020, from ST Engineering’ acilty at Seletar airport in Singapore, The aircratt subsequently completed a series of fight tests in support of gaining the type's supplemental type certificate (STC) from the European Union Aviation Safety ‘Agency (EASA) Certification was short follow, the EASA ssued the notification to FW {the STC holder) on Febcuary 24, just ‘one month ater the prototype made Its frst fight. In ation to holding the STC, EFWhas many responsibilities for the A321P2F programme including adaption engineering inthe serial phase, subcontracting of work to each conversion line, overall programme ‘management, customer support services, and marketing and sales EW describes its P2F programme as “exclusive, whereby Airous contibutes with OEM data and certification support ‘The OEM support helps to preserve lWecycle value, given its superiority in quality reliability and ease of Lim Serh Ghee, president of ST Engineering sai “The swift process in attaining EASA's STC shorty ater the frst fight test sa testament tothe engineering and design strengths of ur P2F solution, In late July, EFW received an STC for he A321P2F issued by the Federal ‘Avvation Administration, Customer specific equicements were subsequently integrated into the aircraft and certified prior to its re-delvery. Receipt ofthe STC enabled the company and its partners to delve the first A221P2F jet converted, VH-ULD {msn 835), the so-called prototype, to. Vallairin Sept ‘Australia Post for operation by lease customer Gantas, The aircraft entered service on October 27, 2020, Mr Jeffey Lam, president of ST Engineering's Aerospace sector, sac: “With the A321P2F platform being the bestin-class fr its sie category — having 55% more volumettic capacity ber inthe colours of than its nearest competitor — we are confident that the programme willbe @ great success inthe freighter market” = ed a er MC Lr Sel Seen Germany, ST Engineering in Singapore, andl ALU R ROCs elt ke tha S40) pei -1H0e NYA ere) Figapeis ‘send ster e te oy 720, (ese mengenet ‘capone erp um (ns 23 oso uaa The next customer delivery took place on January 7,202, when the frst AB2IP2F for aircraft lease ‘management company, BBAM Limited Partnership was handed over The Jet was bound for ts lease customer, Bish charter altne, Titan Airways. Commenting on the delivery, Alastair ‘wilson, managing director of Titan Airways sad: “The A32IP2F wil enable us to utlise all the benefits ofthis type inte our air freight actives including bestin-class economics reduced noise, a lower carbon footprint and rea time health monitoring, ensuring the highest levels of reliability BBAM signed a genera terms agreementin December 2019 for several AQ21P2F conversions, the of hich entered the programme at ST Engineering's Seletar facility in January 2020 EFW's P2F conversion programme ‘evolved inthe spring of 2021 when ST Engineering entered the frst A320 into programme atts Seletarfacity. With 25,159 cycles and 40,37 hours on the lock, this isthe world’ rst ever ‘4320P2F conversion ‘tthe tie ofthe frst A20's introduction tothe programme, ST Engineering sad it was planning to set up new conversion lines in Singapore, Guangzhou, China and Brookley Field in Motile, Alabama to ramp-up the numberof conversion slots to 23 per year in a bid to meet market demand, More recenty, on May 6,202, FW announced an order for four ‘Airbus A321P2F conversions placed by Dublin-based leasing company GTLK Europe, anew customer to EFW. Three A325 wil enter the conversion programme during his year withthe fourth following in 2022,American Freighter In August 207, Precision craft Solitons and Ar Transport Services Group (ATSG) announced the formation of 321 Precision Conversions LLC. Jointenture company. to develop a P2F conversion of Arbus A22-200 art. Prockion Araft luton started fl scale engineering for ST development inthe third quarter of 2016. atthe tine of the announcement 221 reiion Conversion, LLC antipated approval of a supplemental ype cettiate STC for {8321-200 comersions in 201 Unsurisinghy, 321 Precision Conversion sedis A3Z1200 tighter vl provide a bestin das solation, ‘teh il fl both replacement anc crow needs inte rarronbody freighter make, kvl dlver cube space commensurate Boeing 757 freighters and iw operating costs, comparable osmaler Boeing 737 freighters, making Kan atacive platiorm for arexres network operators” Dubbed the AS242000CF, 321 Precision Conversions freighter features: M4 Acode 88 x125inch postions “org volume 7963"* *Containerised volume 72801 + Standard payload of approximately 9680p Retention of fl size LURY doors {TELAIR main deck carg loading system A lover compartment below the main deck compatible wth Duk, sing cxpet cx conteied systems + Loading lexi th dal locks for PAGype netted pats or wo AKH containers atthe th positon Crew galley wih baggage stowage + Ful szeleetory Oncenber'200.the companys | wats _———tahne ton extn or frst converted A321-200 freighter ‘uot’ _leasedeighter options ito this irrame made its first flight at Orlando-Sanford ‘touches domnct Seietor type in the future. Its very well suited Ireratona Arport For folowing Sips raegressservee ond ecommerce Conversion by Avecet RO Services ot Mm ime shorter foutes and wth eorper Selamere, er pefouds eo complomere ‘ter the fight, 321 Precision aa Cour existing fleet of more than 85 larger Conversions present Gry Wares ,ur-aajlatt Boing 767 conve eights ond STR SeEos maaan el fens A cas ection res respects with primary andseconday Sue Veues er any Soe 737 eight supporting sub-systems, tnctoning «SERRE nestone inate for ATSG ants pevteclyandeuyred Sesedonine | EAE ang estomer aeeaa ei wisreaacnes en mateo | rose chee BAM EN nso ecrone et Prerequste porter certteion Seta orcuve oer of ATS cathe figitesing weleokfomardioabisk tanec” A321200°CF hehe conversion = progression to full cetiication” ‘The Federal Aviation Adminstration issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) for 321 Precision Conversions! 1A321-200PF in Apri 2021 (On June 28, Wilmington, Ohio-based AATSG announced! a commitment by its leasing business, Cargo Alrcraft Management, to purchase two Airbus £8321.200s for conversion to freighter configuration atthe company’s PEMCO Conversions facities in Tampa, Florida, Work onthe frstjetis expected to start in Q4 FY202" for delivery 10 ts lease customer in @2 FY2022, the point at which the second alrerat enters the programme for an expected delivery in @arv2022. | {A the time ofthe announcement Mike Berger, ATSG's chief commercial oficer said: "We have accelerated our plans to invest in and offer this midsize, mmid-ange freighter type because our express-network customers have expressed strong interest in adding It to ? their fleets. Since the development of our passengerto freighter conversion design for the A321-200 commenced in 2017, program will provide ATSG, both directly and via its joint venture, incremental revenue from production ofthe conversion kits, engineering and conversion management. We will continue fo invest in ths airframe to grow ur narrowbody leasing opportunity slobaly to support integrators, e-commerce and express delivery customers" @ sco aaa 55.cad 4 Flight Details of the A320 Family flight deck. featu display units (DUs or displ flight instrument 2 butt electronic centralised aircraft monitor (EcaM) Panels and Pedestal thanks to the electronic system (EFCS), which links the input ght contr Alrbus arranged the flight deck’s pane the primary fight vd a5 th ‘The PFD display altudelvert status LS reading, AFS alttude, The centre cupled by athcd pane AM displ a“Both the pilot and co-pilot's panel incorporate two side-by-side 7.25 x 7.25in EFIS displays, one functionsa@sthe primary flight display and the second as the navigation display.” and maintenance, aradiomanagement electrically ensured. panel on each side Thvee types of computers command The overhead panel comprises @ the aca’ fight controls: two forward and aft zane each with thee elevator alleron computers (ELACE, tows ofsystem contol. The most _three spoiler elevator computers frequent used controls are inthe _(ll vee control the spoilers, with forward zone, mostly fr the engines two devoted to stancby elevator and APU, Contols located inthe aft and stabizer contr and two fight zone ae not used in igh ‘augmentation computers for electcally powered rudder contol and aspeed caleulton, (£320 Family aircraft are all equipped Actions computers ae also used ‘the. The top spay shows the main sNEH-Apmame ith an electiica fight conto system or fight cnt two slats and laps ‘engine parameters, thrust limit and ving efanA30%3tt (ECS) with protection against stall, control computers, and two fight ‘command, total fuel, the flaps and “ windshear, overstress, and overspeed. control data concentrators which slats postion, and vanings. The lower Fight conto is achieved through acquire data from the ELACS and dlspla is devoted othe systems, conventional hyoraulicaly actuated _spole elevator computers, sentto the showing synoptic dlagrams, ist of ll surfaces. Elevator, ailerons, rl electronic centralised aleraft monitor ‘operational significant items, standby sols timmable horizontal stabilsers and centralise felt and display instruments, the lancing gear controls (with mechanical back up slats and system and indications, Incuding the brakes, flaps (double slotted flap surfaces on _Commangs input by ether the tnd a clock the AIZ), and speed brakes used for autoplt, sidestck oF the sats/aps The pedestal houses the trust levers rolland pitch contol are electrically are sentto the computers, which in tum and engine conto, multipurpose powered. The rudders used for yaw send signals to the electra/hycraulic control and dlepay units that spay contol are mechanical though the yaw jacks to move the contol surfaces, ll {ight management functions, dat Ink damping, turn coordination and tim are with manuel backup. ® 1a220 57Landing Gear Details of the landing gear used by all variants of the A320 Family of aircraft. 1320 Family variants have conventional retractable tricycle or bogie (option) Janding-gear comprising two main gears with twin-wheels, and a ‘win-wheel nose gear with drect-action shock absorbers. Main Landing Gear ‘Win the twin-whee contguration, ‘each main lending gear assembly consists ofa conventional two-wheel ‘bret type leg with an integral shock sorber supported both forward and tby a fixed crag svt Lateral support Is provided by a folding strut which is mechanically locked when inthe down position. Wit the optional four-wheel bogle ‘configuration, each main landing gear assembly consists of drect-acton shack absorber with afourswheel bogie beam installed, Suppor forthe shock absorber both forward and aft is provided by @ fixed drag strut. As per the ‘win-wheel configuration lateral support Is provided by a folding strut which is mechanically locked when inthe down Position. ‘The main gears located under the wing S00 - stl ‘erncagot seninao se retract sideways toward the fuselage centreline, while the nose gear retracts forward into a fuselage compartment. All gears and gear doors are operated {and controlled electrically by two landing {gear controlinterface units (LGCIU}. The {gears and gear doors are hydraulically actuated with atemative fee-fallspring down lock modes contrlied by both LGCIUs for each retraction/extension cycle. Should one LGCIU tal, transition to the other LGCIU is achieved by one ofthe flight crew resetting the landing {gear control lever. nan emergency, the landing gear can be extended by gravity.Nose Landing Gear The nose landing gear consists of aleg with a bultin shock absorber strut. The leg carries twin wheels with adequate shimmy damping and a folding strut which mechanically locks when inthe own postion. Aircraft steering including the steering angle s controled by the pilot using ‘two hand wheels in the cockpit. For towing, steering is deactivated by a isconnection box installed on the landing gear leg. Dae eee Rou eeioge eee melee ce oouy Cee eke enti eee een seen nen integral shock absorbei seen ® _ sa a RY! oe Braking System {Al four main wheels wo perl) ae ‘auipped th crbon muti brakes ‘wtich ae electrcaly controled anc hyaualy operated craft baling systems have diferent modes each ee ee Each A320 Family variant has four modes plus eutobrake and ants systems. Friteree air with nth capaity,ateratve braking win ants eapabty, Stermive akin witentmitaed ‘capably; and one forte parking brake with ul pressure appiction capa. Nera othant-skid modes and ato brake incions and the processing of nose whee! steering commands are Centtoled by aduakchanne braking and seeing cont uit. ‘Once the acai bore the main gear wheels are automatically braked before the wheels ener the wheel bay dicing retacton. rubbing sp or brake band contacts and stops each whee! once the gear assembly's inthe retracted position. Anti-Skid System When an 4320 Famly aircraft touches down the aircraft's speed is computed based on the speed of each whee! ‘at touchdown and a computation of its deceleration. The two values are ‘compared to generate a release order for closing the normal servo valve in case ‘of skid exceeding 13%. Autobrake System From touchdown a speci speed computed based onthe speed of each wheel and one of thre programmed deceleration regimes low, medium, and tex The twovalues or each whee! are compared to generate release ‘ore for closing te norma servo valve to meet selected deceleration Ifthe reference speed exceeds the rogranmed speed, which can occur on ether contaminated or anced runway the ference speed is ved by the system to modulate te noma evo valve to decelerate the aca. @ Sa SSSaU TING DIMENSIONS Cd ees 11294 Co oa 135.947 ead UU saat essa NOT Cerny eed eo Peer Wheelbase re cd coo peer eo Raa INE DIMENSIONS