Airbus A320 family

High school (ages 12+)
Transportation

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/airbus-a320-family

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the program launch date?March 1984
2. What is the key technological innovation?Pioneered digital fly-by-wire flight controls and side-stick operation in airliners
3. Why do pilots use a side-stick instead of a yoke on the A320?The side-stick is a small joystick that sits next to the pilot's seat. It makes flying easier and keeps the cockpit clear, and it works with a digital fly‑by‑wire system that helps keep the plane safe.
4. How does the A320neo help the environment?The A320neo uses new engines and winglets that cut fuel use by up to 15%. This means airlines spend less money on fuel and the planet gets less pollution.

Narrow-body airliner: An aircraft characterized by a single passenger cabin aisle, typically seating between 100 and 240 occupants.
Digital fly-by-wire: A flight control system that replaces conventional mechanical linkages with electronic signals and computers for aircraft command.
A320neo: The 'new engine option' variant of the A320 family, featuring advanced engines and aerodynamic improvements for enhanced fuel efficiency.
Commonality: The degree to which different aircraft types share common parts, systems, or pilot training requirements, reducing operational costs.