Airbus commonality: the benefits for pilots, cabin crew and mechanics
Since its early days, Airbus has always placed a high priority on the commonality concept with its aircraft families for the benefit of airline operators.
The goal is to make training, operations and maintenance easier and less expensive for customers – a value that has contributed the efficiency and operational flexibility of Airbus jetliners for decades.
This initially began with physical commonality, as Airbus’ derivative of the founding A300 widebody jetliner – the shorter A310 – shared the same airframe configuration and systems, with its fuselage length reduced to provide an aircraft with increased operating range. As Airbus began introducing new technology, both the A300 and the A310 were equipped with the same Forward Facing Crew Cockpit, permitting flight crews to easily transition from one aircraft type to the other.
The commonality concept was taken to a new level starting in the 1980s with Airbus’ first single-aisle aircraft, the A320, and the introduction of digital fly-by-wire controls. Identical cockpits and operating procedures were applied to all of the A320 family’s versions – the A318, A319, A320 and A321 – allowing pilots to fly all these aircraft with a single rating. As a result, flight crews can step into any of the four aircraft at any time, enabling airlines that fly multiple A320 Family versions to best match aircraft size to passenger bookings on a specific route any day – with a full choice of seating capacities from 107 to 221 passengers.
In addition, fly-by-wire qualified pilots are positioned for an easy transition between the A320 Family and Airbus’ larger A330, A340 and A380 aircraft through straightforward and rapid differential training. With this commonality concept – which is unique to the Airbus product line – pilots are more versatile and more productive for their airlines, and can keep their skills sharp through the opportunity of flying a greater variety of routes from short-haul to long range.
Airbus commonality extends from the flight deck into the passenger cabin as well, with a maximum use of similar systems, control panels and procedures within the various aircraft families. As a result, cabin personnel also benefit from the familiarity aspects on various Airbus types, while aircraft maintenance also is facilitated with the high inter-changeability of systems and parts.
