The A320’s Fly-By-Wire Revolution.

When asking a common layman for their opinion of the most monumental aircraft many would say Concorde, some would say the 1903 Wright Flyer however in my opinion the A320 was and still is to this day an aircraft that played a major part in shaping modern aviation as we know it.

The Airbus A320 was launched in 1988 prided for it’s fuel efficiency, reduced operating costs caused by the Fly by wire system replacing heavy complex mechanical systems with new futuristic, reliable electronic controls.

As of 2025, the A320 has achieved the remarkable milestone of becoming the world’s best-selling aircraft, with an impressive tally of over 19,000 orders and counting. One of the key innovations that contributed to its success is its revolutionary fly-by-wire (FBW) system. This technological advancement revolutionised how pilots control aircraft, setting new industry standards and transforming the way we fly.

What is Fly-By-Wire?

Fly-by-wire (FBW) technology replaces conventional mechanical and hydraulic control mechanisms with electronic signals, enabling computers to interpret pilot inputs before executing movements on the aircraft’s control surfaces. Although this concept had been tested in military aircraft such as the F-16 and Concorde, Airbus made history by becoming the first to introduce a fully digital FBW system on a commercial airliner.

The A320’s FBW system is backed by five independent flight control computers—two primary and three secondary. If one system fails, the aircraft seamlessly switches to a backup, ensuring continuous operation. This high level of redundancy makes fly-by-wire aircraft more reliable than traditional mechanically controlled jets.

How It Works:

When the pilot moves the side stick the movement isn’t mechanically linked to the control surfaces. Instead, it sends an electronic signal to the aircraft’s flight control computers. The computers then process the command and review and gauge flight conditions, performance limits, and safety protections. The computer systems then send signals to actuators (hydraulic or electric motors) that physically move the parts of the aircraft such as the rudder and elevators.

Why FPW (Fly-By-Wire) is so significant:

Since it’s implementation, the A320’s FPW system was able to enforce the pre programmed built in safety limits as a result limiting human error. Some of these limits put in place by the system:

• Exceed maximum bank angles (preventing a roll-over).

• Pitch up beyond safe limits (reducing stall risks).

• Overspeed or over stress the airframe.

How do hydraulic flight control systems work?

Older aircraft like the Boeing 737-200/300/400 rely on hydraulic flight control systems, which work by registering pilot inputs through cables and mechanical linkages to hydraulic actuators which then manually move the controls. These systems provide the necessary force to operate the aircraft’s ailerons, elevators, and rudder, ensuring smooth and responsive handling.

However, these mechanical systems are complex, requiring hydraulic fluid under a fixed high pressure, and demand regular maintenance due to wear, leaks, and potential failures, especially as aircraft age. Much like the cruise control of a car it heavily reduced pilot workload maintaining safety whilst assisting the pilot flying helping prevent excessive tiredness FBW automatically compensates for external factors, such as turbulence, wind shear, and any shift in the centre of gravity replacing the pilot’s role of continually making manual corrections.

Why the A320 Led the FBW Revolution:

Although military aircraft had used FBW for years, there were many concerns regarding the implementation of such a system into the commercial landscape such as the complexity and reliability. However, Airbus bet on the future and introduced the first fully digital FBW system The gamble paid off. The A320’s success proved that FBW wasn’t just viable—it provided massive operational and safety benefits, leading Boeing and other manufacturers to adopt similar technology in long-haul models like the 777, 787, and the newer 737 MAX.

Why Fly-By-Wire Made the A320 the Most Ordered Aircraft

Original A320CFM Cockpit

Beyond safety and handling, FBW made the A320 a permanent favourite among airlines for economic and operational reasons. FBW ensured a similar array of flight controls across the Airbus family. Which meant that a type rated A320 pilot can easily transition to the A319, A321, or even larger Airbus aircraft like the A330 with minimal extra training. Thus in turn lowering training costs and allows airlines to operate mixed fleets efficiently.

FBW eliminates any heavy mechanical components, drastically reducing the aircraft’s weight and improving fuel efficiency. By preventing dangerous control inputs by a possible risk of human error and ensuring continuous operation even after failures, the FBW system has helped improve aviation safety. Unlike traditional mechanical systems, FBW allows software updates and system improvements without major hardware overhauls. This flexibility has enabled Airbus to keep the A320 competitive for over three decades.

The Lasting Reign of the A320’s FPW

The A320’s introduction of fly-by-wire revolutionised commercial aviation. Today, nearly every modern commercial jet, from the Boeing 787 to the Airbus A350, incorporates some form of FBW technology. With over 10,000 A320s flying today and more rolling off the production line every month, the impact of Airbus’s futuristic vision in the 1980s continues to shape the industry.