Large Commercial Aircraft
A318 / A319 / A320 / A321

The Airbus A320 family of aircraft, comprising the A318, A319, A320, A321, is one of the world’s most popular range of single-aisle short to medium range commercial aircraft. Messier-Dowty began manufacturing the landing gear for the A320 in the ’80s. With the growth of the Airbus range the landing gear has been further developed to include product enhancements and part commonality for all single-aisle aircraft versions.

Messier-Dowty is responsible for both the nose and main landing gears for this family. The nose landing gear is a single stage telescopic strut with integral rack and pinion steering. The main landing gear includes a two stage shock absorber to improve comfort at the time of landing. The principal material used for the landing gear is ultra high tensile steel.

Launched in 1984, the A320 family made its first flight in 1987 and entered service in 1988. With a range of between 3000 & 3700nm/5600 & 6900km, the A320 family comprises:
- A318 seating a maximum of 132,
- A319 seating a maximum of 156,
- A320 seating a maximum of 180 and
- A321 seating a maximum of 220.

As of 2009, over 3,500 sets of landing gear have been delivered making this Messier-Dowty’s most prolific commercial program.

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