D
Design effort
A new programme was initiated subsequently , called Joint European Transport ( JET ). This was set up in June 1977 ,[ 20 ] and was based at the then British Aerospace ( formerly Vickers ) site in Weybridge , Surrey , UK .
Although the members were all of Airbus ' partners , they regarded the project as a separate collaboration from Airbus . This project was considered the forerunner of Airbus A320 , encompassing the 130- to 188-seat market , powered by two CFM56s .
It would have a cruise speed of Mach 0.84 ( faster than Boeing 737 ).[ 16 ] The programme was later transferred to Airbus , leading up to the creation of the Single-Aisle ( SA ) studies in 1980 , led by former leader of JET programme , Derek Brown .
The group looked at three different variants , covering the 125- to 180-seat market , called SA1 , SA2 and SA3 . Although unaware at the time , the consortium was producing the blueprints for the A319 , A320 and A321 , respectively .
The single-aisle programme created divisions within Airbus about whether to design a shorter-range twinjet than a longer-range quadjet wanted by the West Germans , particularly Lufthansa . However , works proceeded , and the German carrier would eventually order the twinjet .
In February 1981 , the project was re-designated A320 , with efforts focused on the former SA2 . During the year , Airbus worked with Delta Air Lines on a 150-seat aircraft envisioned and required by the airline . The A320 would carry 150 passengers 1,860 nautical miles ( 3,440 km ) using fuel from wing fuel tanks only .
The Dash 200 had more fuel through the activation of centre fuel tank , increasing fuel capacity from 15,590 litres ( 3,429 imp gal ) to 23,430 L ( 5,154 imp gal ), enabling flights with a distance of 2,850 nmi ( 5,280 km ). The aircraft would measure 36.04 m ( 118 ft 3 in ) and 39.24 m ( 128 ft 9 in ), respectively .
Airbus then had to decide on a cross-section for the A320 . It considered a fuselage diameter of " the Boeing 707 and 727 , or do something better ”.
It eventually settled on a wider diameter , with the internal width at 3.7 m ( 12 ft 2 in ), compared to 3.45 m ( 11 ft 4 in ) of the Boeing aircraft . Although heavier , this specification allowed the aircraft to compete more effectively with the 737 .
A irbus A320
May 2017 www . alliance-airways . net ! 18