The High Power Of Aircraft A320 - US

The great long aircraft A320 like the abridged A319, the A321 is a minimum change, in this case extended, development of the successful A320. The A321 program was launched in November 1989 and the first development aircraft first flew on March 11 1993. European qualifications were awarded in December that year. Compared with the A320 the A321's major change is the extended fuselage, with forward and rear fuselage plugs totaling 6.93m (22ft 9in) (front plug immediately promote of wing 4.27m/14ft, rear plug directly behind the wing 2.67m/8ft 9in).

Other changes include increase of the undercarriage to cope with the higher weights, more powerful engines, a simplify and refined fuel system and bigger tires for better braking. A slightly modified wing with double slotted flaps and modification to the flight wheel allows the A321's handling characteristics to closely resemble the A320's. The A321 features an identical flight deck to that on the A319 and A320, and shares the same type rating as the slighter two aircraft.

The basic A321-100 features a decrease in range compared to the A320 as extra fuel tank age was not added to the initial plan to compensate for the extra weight. To overcome this Airbus launched the longer range, heavier A321-200 development in 1995 which has a full pax transcontinental US range. This is achieved through higher thrust V2533-A5 or CFM56-5B3 engines and minor structural intensification and 2900 liters (766US gal/638Imp gal) superior fuel capacity with the installation of an ACT (additional centre tank).