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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 0069.PDF
operate the control surfaces independently. To win 747 customers over to die new air craft, Airbus must not only make it easier to operate, but also lighter, stronger and cheaper to fly and maintain. CFRP is used extensively (see diagram) for primary structures where it has never been used before, such as die centre wing box, the rear pressure bulkhead and the outer wing sections. A glass fibre/aluminium laminate called GLARE will be used for the cargo compart ment floor and the upper fuselage panels. This has a particularly good strength/density ratio, is highly impact resistant, and has a higher burn-through resistance than aluminium. Stringers on the aluminium fuselage sections will be laser-welded, rather than riveted to the fuselage plates, which is faster to do and makes it stronger and up to 10 % lighter. Airbus does not intend to stop there. Its European partner companies are running a materials research and development pro gramme, TANGO (technology applications to near-term business goals and objectives) aimed at continually pushing design horizons to reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs while improving materials performance. • EMME20CMIMMI 1974 A300B2 n The world's first twin-engined, twin- aisle widebody. n Triplex power and control systems. n Advanced rear-loaded aerofoil. n Full flight regime autopilot. n Automatic windshear protection. 1982 A300FF n First two crew widebody aircraft. Flight engineer's tasks automated and systems controls in the overhead panel. n Introduction of the "dark, quiet cock pit" philosophy. When systems are acti vated, the designator light in the system pushbutton is extinguished. Any system not activated or switched off would be conspicuous because the light would show in a dark panel. n Digital flight management. 1983 A310 n Cathode ray tube flight instru- monitor display. n Carbonfibre-reinforced plastic secondary structures (fairings). n Electrical signalling of secondary con trols (flaps/slats, spoilers). 1985 A310-300 n CFRP primary structures (fin, tailplane). n Tailplane trim tanks for centre of grav ity control. 1988 A320 n Digital fly-by-wire flight controls with flight envelope protection, and active ailerons. n Sidestick control in pitch and roll, with automatic pitch trim. n CFRP fin, tailplane, elevators, ailerons, spoilers. 1993 A330/A340series n Cockpit designed for crew cross-qual- ments and electronic centralised aircraft ification with each other and A3 20 series. AIRBUS A380 Aileron CFRP spoilers (eight on each wing) Trailing edge flap Upper deck economy class cabin (103 seats, twin aisle, eight abreast) Main deck economy class cabin (328 seats, twin aisle, ten abreast) Four-wheeled outboard main undercarriage Six-wheeled body main undercarriage Rolls-Royce Trent 900 turbofan developing 70,000lb thrust Aft cargo hold with GLARE floor/optional crew rest area Body/wing fairing Upper deck galley area Aft spiral stair CFRP rear pressure bulkhead Elevators - monolithic CFRP design Fin box - monolithic CFRP design Rudder - monolithic CFRP design Pratt & Whitney Canada PW9XX auxiliary power unit (1,300kVA) Horizontal tailplane box - monolithic CFRP design -V* 31 Alternative powerplant - Engine Alliance GP7200 turbofan developing 70,000lb thrust Pylon (two each wing) 42 Leading edge slat 43 GLARE upper fuselage skins 44 Thrust-reverser - inboard engines only FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 2 - 8 January 2001 67
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