The Airbus A320 features a systematic approach to its structural and functional organization, categorized by station numbers and zones, each designated for specific parts of the aircraft:
Station Numbers are used to locate different areas on the fuselage and they start from a reference Point; these units are in centimetres, starting from a reference point ahead of the nose.
The aircraft is divided into 8 major zones, each identified by the first digit of a three-digit number:
100-199: Lower half of the fuselage.
200-299: Upper half of the fuselage.
300-399: Empennage and fuselage tail section.
400-499: Pylon and Nacelle.
500-599: Left wing.
600-699: Right wing.
700-799: Landing gear.
800-899: Doors.
Odd and even numbers indicate the left-hand (L/H) and right-hand (R/H) sides respectively.
Access Doors and Panels:
Each access door and panel is identified by a specific numbering system, such as 510BB, where the letters indicate the panel’s position and surface.
Cockpit Philosophy:
Designed for forward-facing operation and adheres to a ‘dark cockpit’ philosophy.
The overhead (OVHD) panel is divided into areas for system control (forward half) and maintenance (aft half).
The glareshield panel includes Flight Control Units (FCUs) and the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) control panel.
The functionality of Push Button Switches (P/B) varies based on their state and colour, indicating normal operation, fault conditions, or system deactivation.
This structured organization in the Airbus A320 facilitates efficient operation, maintenance, and ensures safety by clear demarcation and identification of various components and systems.
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