Page 59 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017 Online Magazine

IN THE NEWS

developments of the A320 family wing reinforcement kit and top-skin and closure OPPOSITE PAGE: All A320
structure were integrated from MSN1200 of the wing and installation of Sharklets. The family aircraft (A319/A320
and A321) post MSN5514 have
making them structurally different from the installation process is not affected by engine been delivered with Sharklet-
earlier aircraft,” says Tim McVea, Upgrades model and all Sharklet kits are standard. ready wings
Marketing & Business Development Also, the aircraft’s handling characteristics
Manager, Airbus Customer Services. The are unchanged because the flight control TOP: A Sharklet retrofit
solution for the A321 is yet to
Sharklet retrofit solution available at this software is updated to reflect the new be launched
stage does not address the A321ceo family. configuration. An additional advantage is the
“This is because the wing on the A321 is not operational life extension for older aircraft, BOTTOM: When it comes to
the same and a Sharklet retrofit solution for by +36,000 flight hours which can bring more Airbus’ Sharklet Retrofit,
really
does
deliver
it
the A321 would require further development. than 10 years of additional operation for performance straight out of
Hence a retrofit solution for the A321 is yet some customers. the box
to be launched” says Sebastien Caillaud. The
first In Service Retrofit (ISR) on a Jet Blue
A320ceo aircraft was completed in October
2015.
The retrofit of Sharklets for newer
aircraft (post MSN5514) required a
modification that is extremely simple and can
managed by the operator, usually with one
day downtime. The original wing-tip fences
are removed, the Sharklets are installed and
the necessary functions are activated in the
cockpit. For older aircraft (post MSN1200),
the older aircraft require an additional
wing reinforcement kit which is completely
standard and delivered pre-assembled.
Once the aircraft has been assessed for
eligibility the operator is issued an Airbus
Service Bulletin. Prior to the installation of
the Sharklets the wing is reinforced through
a simple sequence: Removal of the outer
wing, reinforcement of the wing structure,
attachment of the pre-assembled wing
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