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| | The Global Market Forecast provides Airbus' outlook for international airline markets during the next 20 years. | |
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| Technological Leadership
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 | In an industry which has to think ahead to prosper, Airbus leads the way in developing new technologies and pushing the boundaries of knowledge through research. Some advances, such as full fly-by-wire, have been groundbreaking; others, such as the gradual increase in the use of composites, evolutionary. All have contributed to making Airbus aircraft the most advanced on the market, successfully balancing innovation with operational reliability and economics. From the A300 to the A380, the Airbus approach has been innovative, while only adopting technologies that are mature, proven and beneficial. As a result Airbus is a recognised leader in the use of composite materials to reduce aircraft weight and improve maintainability, and in the development of ergonomically-designed flight decks which use the very latest in advanced technologies. Airbus' development of composites has led to the widespread acceptance of such materials in civil aviation manufacturing. Operators enjoy the fruits of Airbus’ innovations – weight-saving composites lead to lower fuel and maintenance costs, while commonality between Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft means reduced training costs and a more flexible use of flight and cabin crews. The A300 was the world’s first twin-engine widebody aircraft when it entered service in 1974. Three years later it became the first aircraft to be equipped with Category IIIA autoland capability, allowing the aircraft to land in limited visibility. In the early 1980s, the A300 became the first twin-aisle aircraft to have a two-crew cockpit with all instruments in front of the pilots, using the latest in digital technology. Soon after, Airbus introduced advanced cathode ray tube cockpit displays on the A310. This aircraft also incorporated the pioneering use of composite materials in secondary structures – spoilers, airbrakes and rudder – initially tried out on an A300. By 1985, composites on primary structures and in innovative drag-reducing wingtip devices were used on the A310-300. Airbus broke new ground with the A320 in 1988 with the introduction of the full digital fly-by-wire flight control system and side-stick controllers, replacing the complex system of levers and pulleys commonly in use. The introduction of fly-by-wire made possible operational commonality, which has become the mark of the Airbus aircraft family. It also enabled the introduction of the flight protection envelope, which allowed pilots to fly the aircraft freely but only within the bounds of safe performance limits governed by on-board computers. The world’s first carbon-fibre keel beam for a large commercial aircraft was built for the A340-600 – which entered service in 2002 – while Airbus’ 21st century flagship, the 555-seat A380, continues the tradition of innovation with advanced aerodynamics, high-pressure hydraulics and, at 25 per cent of its structure, a greater use of composite materials than ever before. The A380 also features an advanced cockpit with state-of the-art interactive liquid crystal displays and extended integrated modular avionics linked by ethernet datalink. Airbus also seeks the most appropriate application of innovative manufacturing techniques. It was the first to introduce laser beam welding on civil aircraft with the A318, before using it more extensively on the A380. Much of the pioneering research undertaken by Airbus, often in co-operation with aeronautic research organisations, universities and aviation safety bodies, is geared to improving efficiency and performance, and minimising environmental effects: burning less fuel means lower costs and fewer emissions. The approach has paid off, with the A380, the biggest passenger jet ever built, being hailed for its environmental friendliness. While carrying 35 per cent more passengers than its rival, it produces half the noise on take off and burns 12 per cent less fuel per passenger. To lead the field, Airbus first leads the technology. |
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