Older vs Newer A320
 

Hi folks,

Does anyone know what the main differences between the older 320 models (s/n400) and the newer (s/n1900) are? Are there any fuel consumption improvements? Are there any FMGC big differences?
I am all eyes.
Thnank you and Regards,
SW.

Different MCDU's, can only depress one PB at a time on the FCU, CRT's replaced with LCD's, no more LAF, hinge for the fuel panel on the front now, new improved RAT. I'm sure I missed a few.

also abscu, alt brakes and n/w steering on green hyd - now going to look that up to make sure!!

Actually I believe the ALT Brakes and NWS are on the yellow system.

Best Regards

OP

Cockpit noise level which is extremely high on our '89 models.

Spring 1988...
 

Quote from sudden Winds:
Does anyone know what the main differences between the older 320 models (s/n400).... [Unquote]

Had a double-take on this. Most of our MSNs were 1 or 2 digits.
And they said it would never sell...

Changing to Yellow for NWS sounds a strange idea, Office Pest. The Yellow is surely too busy already to take the whole L/G from Green, so are you saying that the NWS could use a different System from the L/G itself?

Dream Land, is the "new improved RAT" in the same location, and can it still stall if the aeroplane is in sideslip with the L/G down?

That is indeed the case on our newer 319's the NWS is on the Yellow system however the gear retraction remains on the Green.

OP

some of the earlier one will be pre-CPIPS too (basically the way FMA's are presented / FCU differences)

can tell which is an earlier 320 by the static ports - new ones are square and old ones are round

Medium autobrake logic vastly improved.

the first about 34 Modells have had no Winglets.

Winglets
 

Winglets came with the dash-200. There were very few -100s, probably no more than 15 - 20. [We had 5 of them.] By the end of 1988, no more were being delivered.

Ah Chris - What do you do for wallpaper now you can't save the swords!!!

Quote:

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Dream Land, is the "new improved RAT" in the same location, and can it still stall if the aeroplane is in sideslip with the L/G down?

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No it doesn't stall & you don't have those yellow collared circuit breakers to pull when on Battery power onnly.

Probably the biggest difference you will notice on a day to day basis is FMS1 on the older aircraft and FMS2 on the newer aircraft.

FMS2 has many improvements. It's much easier entering in the initial route as you just have to enter the airways and it will figure out the waypoints.

The way the system works out the optimum level is much improved as you can enter in a range of cruise winds for various levels instead of just a single level.

Another nice improvement, is that you can go direct to a waypoint on a specific radial. Particularly useful if you a doing a visual approach from a fair distance out, as you can use it to draw an extended centerline.

The bigger LCD screens are much nicer to work with than the old CRT ones. And the flight deck noise is considerably reduced in newer aircraft.

Older A/C have a cluster of separate 'clockwork' standby instruments while the newer ones have a single PFD style standby instrument.

In the older aircraft the RAT stalls at 140kts and disconnects with gear down leaving you on battery power only (!)

Yes, very good point.

RAT
 

Quote from finncapt:
Ah Chris - What do you do for wallpaper now you can't save the swords!!! [Unquote]
Huh... Have I been rumbled? [How many forests did we destroy?] ;)

Quote from Tail-take-off (re new RAT):
No it doesn't stall & you don't have those yellow collared circuit breakers to pull when on Battery power only.
[Unquote]
That problem necessitated a major redesign of the Electrical System, and FBW-degradation logic, while we and AF were on the first A320 conversion courses at Toulouse in Jan 1988. Does the new RAT design enable:
1) RAT to provide reliable hydraulic and electrical power until touchdown?
2) Alternate Law to continue after L/G extension?

And is it still located in the L/H belly-fairing, behind and ouboard of the No. 1 Pack?

ISIS LCD displays display ISA deviation.

Very new (last few months) aircraft have the CFM Tech Insertion single-annular-combustor, and redesigned fuel vents.

How many of you are using Thales FMS2's? Are they an improvement over the Honeywell system?


Mutt

1) Auto brakes MAX inhibited in flight.
2) Parking brake ON in flight generates a Master Caution.
3) OEB reminders (if equipped).

re post 3, engage brain before opening mouth!!