Airbus A320 Simulated Cockpit

The Airbus A320 Simulated Cockpit reflects the modern “glass cockpit,” which is centered around computer monitors that show flight, engine and all other required aircraft data on easily understood and configured displays. A set of six computer monitors have replaced hundred of gauges and switches, significantly reducing cockpit complexity. This glass cockpit was introduced in 1982 and is now the industry standard.

The Airbus A320 family consists of short to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger twin-engine jet airliners. The first member of the A320 family was launched in 1984 and was delivered to the first commercial customer in 1988. The A320 family pioneered the use of digital fly-by-wire flight control systems, as well as side-stick controls, in commercial aircraft.

The digital fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system is one in which input commands through the side-stick are interpreted by flight control computers and transmitted vis digital control to flight control devices. The A320 retained the dark cockpit where an indicator is off when its system is running. All follow-up Airbuses have similar human/machine interface, and systems control philosophy to facilitate family cockpit commonality, which enables pilots to transition among Airbuses quickly.