Photos – First Airbus A320 with Sharklets

Airbus has completed installation of the first set of its “Sharklet” wing-tip devices on the A320 development aircraft (MSN 001). The flight-test campaign will be carried out in the coming weeks.

These new wingtip devices are around 2.5 metres tall and will replace the aircraft’s current wingtip fence. Offered as an option on new-build aircraft, as well as being standard on the A320neo Family, Sharklets will also enhance the aircraft’s payload-range and take-off performance. The Airbus Sharklets will reduce fuel burn by up to 3.5 percent, corresponding to an annual CO2 reduction of around 700 tonnes per aircraft. This reduction is equivalent to the CO2 produced by around 200 cars annually.

Photos

Airbus A320 Sharklets

Airbus A320 Sharklets prepared for Flight-Tests

Photos: Airbus S.A.S. 2011