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AIRCRAFT PRESENTATION
A320 Aircraft Overview
In this lesson, we will cover the key features, specifications, and procedures related to the
A320 aircraft.

Introduction

The A320 is the most advanced single-aisle aircraft in service today with fly-by-wire flight
controls. It is a medium-range civil transport aircraft.

Engines

This twin-engine aircraft is equipped with the following engines:

 CFM International CFM 56-5

 International Aero Engines IAE V2500

Specifications

 Maximum Takeoff Weight: 77 tons

 Range: Approximately 3,000 nautical miles

 Generic Maximum Takeoff Weight: 75.5 tons

Sharklets Option

 The A320 family can be equipped with sharklets, improving performance by around
3.5%.

 Range Increase: Approximately 100 nautical miles

 Payload Increase: Around 500 kg or 1,100 pounds

Passenger Seating

 Typical Two-Class Seating: 150 passengers

 Typical High-Density Seating: 180 passengers

 Payload Weights: Passengers and baggage weights are based on 90.7 kg or 200
pounds.
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Additional Fuel Tanks

As an option, additional fuel tanks can be installed to extend the range of the aircraft.

Dimensions and Turning Procedures

 For a 180-degree turn on the runway, asymmetrical thrust may be applied on the
external engine.

o CFM Engine: Around 50 to 55% of N1

o IAE Engine: Around 1.05 of EPR

 A 180-degree turn can also be performed symmetrically by the crew member.

 If the wing clears the obstacle, the tail will also clear it as it is inside the radius of the
wing.

Unpressurized Areas

The following areas of the A320 are unpressurized:

 Tail cone

 Main gear bay

 Air conditioning packs

 Nose gear bay

 Radome

A320 Aircraft Systems and Cockpit Overview

In this lesson, we will familiarize you with the locations of the communication and
navigation antennas, cargo compartments, cockpit layout, and the overhead panel.

Communication Antennas

 VHF1

 VHF2

 VHF3

 HF1

 HF2
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Navigation Antennas

 Radar

 Localizer

 Glide Slope

 DME1 and DME2

 ATC

 GPS1 and GPS2

 Marker

 TCAS

 ADF1 and ADF2

 Radio Altimeter

 ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter)

 VOR1 and VOR2

Cargo Compartments

There are three cargo compartments:

 Forward Cargo Compartment

 Aft Cargo Compartment

 Bulk Cargo Compartment

The size of the fuselage accommodates standard containers.

Cockpit Layout

The cockpit is designed for a two-member crew operation with one or two observer seats.
The A320's cockpit is a two-man glass cockpit and is one of the most advanced cockpits in
any civil airliner.

 Display Units: The cockpit has an optimized layout of six LCD display units.

 Control Columns: The absence of control columns between the pilots and
instruments ensures excellent visibility of all instruments.
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 System Controls: Located on an overhead panel, the system controls are positioned
so that both crew members can monitor them.

 Pilot Seats: The pilot seats are electrically or manually adjustable. All seat
adjustments will be shown during the simulator session.

Overhead Panel

 Usage: The overhead panel is used during pre-flight to check that all the lights are out
(dark cockpit philosophy) and in-flight to carry out emergency or abnormal
procedures.

 Central Section: The central part of the overhead panel is dedicated to the following
aircraft systems:

o Air Conditioning

o Electrical

o Fuel

o Hydraulic

o Fire

The most frequently used controls are located at the bottom part of the overhead panel.

For a closer view, let's take the fuel panel as an example. The related system name is written
on the left and right sides. For each system, there is a green schematic diagram. Notice that
all push button switches are in the lights-out configuration.

Glare Shield
The glare shield is used by the pilots for flight guidance and short-term flight management. It
is also used to control the electronic flight instrument system (EFIS).

Instrument Panel
The instrument panel provides the following information to the pilots:

 Flight Information: Displayed through the Electronic Flight Instrument System

(EFIS) and the Integrated Standby Instrument System (ISIS).
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 System Information: Displayed through the Electronic Centralized Aircraft

Monitoring (ECAM) system.

Units in the Course

Individual airlines can choose which units they wish to use for some parameters on the
ECAM screens.

Units Display Options

 U.S. Units Option:

o Comfort temperatures are displayed in degrees Fahrenheit.

o Weights are displayed in pounds.

 Metric Units Option:

o Comfort temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius.

o Weights are displayed in kilograms.

Indication of Units

 Blue Boxes: Indicate that the units may differ depending on the airline's choice.

 Green Boxes: Indicate that the information in this area of the screen is not mandatory
to be shown for the related studied system.

When studying specific systems like air conditioning or the fuel system, the appropriate unit
values will be shown.

Pedestal Controls
The pedestal on a conventional aircraft includes:

 Radio Communication Controls

 Flaps and Slats Control

 Speed Brake Control

 Engine Controls

The pedestal also features:

 ECAM Control Panel (ECP)

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 Multi-Purpose Control Display Units (MCDUs): These serve as the long-term

interface with the Flight Management and Guidance System (FMGS).

Manual Flight Control in Aircraft

Side Stick Installation

The aircraft is flown manually using either side stick, which is installed on the left and right-
hand sides of the cockpit.

Function of Side Sticks

Each side stick controls the aircraft’s flight path by altering its pitch and roll. The pilot
manipulates the side stick to manage the aircraft's direction and stability.

Cockpit Layout

The side sticks are positioned within easy reach of the pilot's hands, allowing for intuitive
control of the aircraft's movements. This layout ensures that the pilot can make precise
adjustments during manual flight.