Airbus A320

Airbus A320-214 Passengers (A320): 179 PAX A320/19 Captain: 100 Hours A320/19 First Officer: 20 Hours Aircraft Downloads Freeware: IFDG Airbus A320-214 (Full Model) Payware: Feelthere/Wilco A320 and A319 Airsimmer A320 (RP-C8615) Abacus A319 and A320 Recommended Downloads Cockpit Panels: Airbus A319/A320 Panel Sound Kits: CFM56-5A/B Realistic Soundpack

History of the Airbus A320-200

The A320 program was launched in March 1982, first flight occurred on February 22 1987, while certification was awarded on February 26 1988. Launch customer Air France took delivery of its first A320 in March that year. The first V2500 engined A320 was delivered to Adria Airways in May 1989. The A320 is perhaps best known as the first airliner to introduce a fly-by-wire flight control system - where control inputs from the pilot are transmitted to the flying surfaces by electronic signals rather than mechanical means. Apart from a small weight saving, the advantage of Airbus' fly-by-wire is that as it is computer controlled, an inbuilt flight envelope protection makes it virtually impossible to exceed certain flight parameters such as G limits and the aircraft's maximum and minimum operating speeds and angle of attack limits.

History with Philippine Airlines

The Airbus A320-200 joined Philippine Airlines in July, 1995, after Lucio C. Tan became the new Chairman and CEO of the airline. An Ambitious US$4 Billion Dollar modernization and fleet renewal program was launched, the centerpiece of the program was the introduction of 36 state-of-the-art aircraft from Airbus and Boeing between 1996 and 1999. The 36 orders for PAL were for 8 Boeing 747-400, 4 Airbus A340-300, 8 Airbus A330-300 and 12 Airbus A320-200 aircraft. This refleeting program made Philippine Airlines the first airline in the world to operate the full range of New-Generation Airbus Aircraft.