Climb Chart

Descent Chart

In February 1981, Airbus Industrie decided to build a short range aircraft to enter into competition with Boeings 737 and Douglass MD80-series. Even though the A320 was supposed to be the direct rival to these two aircraft series, Airbus was determined to develop a completely new aircraft type for the short and medium range market: The cabin is larger (more passenger comfort, larger cargo capacity), a new wing concept, developed by BAe together with new engines by CFM or IAE and fly-by-wire computerized flight controls are new standards set by the Airbus A320.

The computer assures a very high safety standard by adjusting the airplanes in-flight attitude and smoothens the pilots input. The pilots operate the aircraft via joysticks. But also the materials used in constructing the A320 were new: Synthetic material is used to make the aircraft lighter as well as more resistant.