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For the flight test campaign, A320 Family
aircraft with both CFM56 and V2500 engines have
recently taken to the skies with Sharklets. When
complete, this flight testing will represent
approximately 600 flight-hours spread over 9-10
months. Certification of the remaining
aircraft/engine variants with Sharklets will
therefore follow in the coming months. By the
end of 2012, Air Asia will become the first
airline to take delivery of Sharklet-equipped
A320s.
Due to the very strong customer demand for
Sharklets, all Airbus’ single-aisle final
assembly lines (FALs) will be engaged in
building A320 Family aircraft with Sharklets.
These FALs are located in Toulouse, Hamburg and
Tianjin and will soon be followed by an
additional A320 FAL in Alabama USA.
Sharklets are large devices made from composites
and are 2.4 meters tall. Attached to the A320’s
wing-tip during the assembly process, they
reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the
aerodynamics of the aircraft. As well as cutting
airlines fuel bills, Sharklets will add around
100nm range and also allow increased payload
capability of up to 450kgs. Sharklets are an
option on new-build aircraft, and are standard
on the A320neo Family.
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