How to Identify the Airbus

Airbus Industrie represents Boeing's primary competitor in the manufacture of large, commercial, jet aircraft. Airbus Industrie's first product was the A-300, a short-range, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed to fill a niche neglected by the U.S. manufacturers then dominating the market.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Film
• Cameras
• Cameras
• Computers
• Camcorders
• Videocassettes
• Internet Service Providers
• Digital Cameras
• Camera Lenses
• SLR Camera
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Tripod
• Aircraft Band Scanner
• Air & Space Subscriptions
• Aviation Illustrated Magazine
• Flying Magazines
• Telescopes
• Aviation History Subscription
• Pioneers Of Aviation Videos
• Polaroid Cameras
• Polaroid Film

1. Remember, nearly all Airbus airliners are wider than most small airliners. The Airbus A-300-B2, the first of the line, is 222 inches wide, allowing two-aisle, eight-abreast seating. Two standard LD-3 cargo containers can be stored side by side in the cargo bay.

2. Note that Airbus airliners seem to have a disproportionately large fuselage when compared to their wing size.

3. Check out the A-310 model, the second of the line. Note that it is shorter and has a reduced passenger capacity.

4. Remember, the A-320 is Airbus Industrie's second-generation aircraft. The A-320 is a 130- to 170-passenger, single-aisle airliner equipped with a computer fly-by-wire control system.

5. Remember, too, Airbus Industrie's largest models - the A-330 and A-340 - have returned to the twin-aisle, wide-body cross section of the early models.

6. Note the A-330 is a long-range, high-capacity, twin-engine model.

7. Note the A-340 mounts four engines on the same basic airframe and wing design for increased range and capacity.

8. Remember, both the A-330 and the A-340 incorporate the latest fly-by-wire technology.

Tips & Warnings

• Airbus Industrie is a European consortium.
• Korean Air was the first non-European air carrier to purchase an Airbus.
• Eastern Airlines became the first U.S. airline to operate an Airbus product when it leased four A-300-B4s in 1977.
• The A-320 was the world's first fly-by-wire commercial airliner.
• Airbus Industrie is developing the A-3XX-100, a 555-passenger, two-deck airliner with a range of more than 7,000 miles. Despite its size, the high-capacity airliner will fit in the 80-by-80-meter loading and unloading space allotments most airports use.
• "Form follows function." Most modern, jet airliners are strikingly similar, incorporating a cyndrical fuselage and thin, swept-back wings.
• Exercise caution and honor security arrangements when plane-spotting at airports.

on 8/8/2006 The upper part of the fuselage at the empennage on an Airbus drops down to meet the underside rather than staying more horizontal, like the Boeing.

on 11/22/2005 To distinguish (at first glance) between the A320 series and the A330 series, look at the rear landing gear. The A320 series have a single axle rear gear, whereas the A330 series have a twin axle.

on 11/22/2005 Airbuses have a "bulged out" area below the wings and on the sides of the fuselage.