What is Flex Temperature? Flex (short for flexible) temperature is an Airbus-centric term used to describe the use of derated thrust takeoff procedures. Similar to the DERATE setting found on Boeing Aircraft, the FLEX Takeoff (TO) Temperature setting found on Airbus aircraft allows flight crews to select a pre-determined takeoff thrust setting that is below … Read more
An aerodynamic stall occurs when an airfoil is no longer able to produce sufficient lift, in which airflow over and under the wing breaks away. Stalls occur when the critical angle of attack (AoA) of the airfoil is exceeded. The angle of attack (AoA) may be defined as the angle between the chord line of … Read more
On Airbus aircraft, the engine ignition system is controlled via a singular switch that controls the engine start process. This system involves feeding air to the air-starter, which starts the rotation of the engines. Under most operating conditions, the air source fed to the air-starter will be Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) bleed air. If the … Read more
From the A320 series onwards, the throttle and power setting system on Airbus aircraft is designed to maximize efficiency, safety, and fuel economy. This is achieved via an intricate computer-based management autothrust system (A/THR) integrated in line with the Airbus Fly By Wire (FBW) system. Airbus Autothrust (A/THR) System As part of this systems architecture, … Read more
The Airbus A320 family is considered the most commercially successful narrowbody aircraft of all time. With over 10,000 aircraft produced since the type’s introduction in 1987, the aircraft has evolved in terms of technical specifications and performance. A pivotal element of the aircraft series is the difference between the -100 and -200 variants of the … Read more
The genesis of the regional jet market on a large scale dates back to the early 1990s. The most common player in this market is the Bombardier CRJ series of regional jets. Up until the end of the production run of the CRJ series in 2020, more than 1900 airframes across the range were produced. … Read more
The difference between a monocoque and semi-monocoque structure is the way in which they absorb and carry flight loads. A semi-monocoque structure is comprised of structural elements which “carry” the flight loads and stress on the structure of the aircraft. Monocoque structures consist of a design in which only the skin of the aircraft carries … Read more
In aviation terminology, there are often various terms used to describe specific aspects of an aircraft’s details. These terms are important for reference and record keeping purposes, as they provide information about the aircraft to the relevant authorities or groups which require it. Two of the most specific terms associated to an aircraft are its … Read more
During the landing phase of flight, it is not uncommon to feel the aircraft “accelerating” close to a touchdown. This feeling of acceleration can occur due to several factors. In most instances, however, the feeling of the aircraft accelerating during landing is due to the pilots making small corrections to the thrust settings to counteract … Read more
Perhaps the most conventional wing design used on early aircraft, the straight or rectangular wing design has many advantages aerodynamically. However, these advantages are also dependant on the type of aircraft. Being the airfoil of the aircraft, a rectangular wing design has many inherent characteristics which make it advantageous for specific forms of flight. The … Read more
Perhaps one of the most important metrics for measuring capability and performance, the fuel consumption of an aircraft is a primary factor in fleet selection. With a strong push for reducing carbon emissions and minimizing operating costs, airlines seek aircraft which are fuel-efficient. A320 Fuel Burn Per Hour The A320 Current Engine Option (CEO) burns … Read more
With thousands in service worldwide, the Airbus A320 series is one of the most commercially successful narrowbody aircraft in aviation history. Designed for short to medium-haul routes, the aircraft type can be found predominantly operating continental routes in Europe, North America, and Asia. With a range of approximately 3,300 nautical miles, the Airbus A320 on … Read more
