The design characteristics of the Airbus A340 family (comprising of the Airbus A330-200 and -300) are similar to the Airbus A330 family. Apart from two additional engines on the A340, the systems and avionics are pretty much the same.
Flight Controls
The Airbus A340 is equipped with an electronic flight control system (EFCS). Roll control is accomplished by two individual outboard ailerons and five outboard spoiler panels on each wing. Pitch axis control is accomplished by a trimmable tailplane and seperate left and right elevators. The tailplane can also be mechanically controlled from the flight deck although fly-by-wire computer inputs are superimposed. The rudder is controlled by dual rudder pedals, with dual yaw damping inputs superimposed. High lift devices consist of full-span slats, flaps and aileron droop; speed braking and lift dumping is achieved by raising all six spoilers on each wing and together with all ailerons.
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Structure
Wings on both the A330 and A340 are almost identical except for those installed on the latter which are strengthened in the area of the outboard engine pylon together with appropriate modification of leading-edge slats 4 and 5. A common fuselage is shared by all initial versions, except in overall length. Construction is generally similar to that of the Airbus A310 and A300-600 except for the centre-section.
Accomodation
The aircraft is flown by a crew of two on the flight deck. Passenger seating is configured typically in a six-abreast in first class, six-abreast in business class and eight-abreast in economy class, all with twin aisles. The Airbus A340 is certified to carry a total 375 passengers in a fuselage configured with three pairs of Type A and one pair of Type 1 emergency exits, or 379 passengers with four pairs of Type A exists.
Systems
Hamilton Sundstrand GTCP 331-350C APU.
Avionics
The avionics suite consists of the Airbus Future Air Navigation System (FANS-A), comprising Smith's Industries digital control and display system linked to the Honeywell Flight Management System (FMS) and can be retrofitted to all A330's and A340's.
Engines
The A340 is powered by four turbofan engines. There is a variety of engines that can be installed underneath the aircraft. The initial application was the General Electric GE CF6-80E1A2 (64,530 lbf), with the CF6-80E1A4 (64,600 lbf) available on the longer-range version. Alternative engines comprise the GE CF6-80E1A3 (68,530 lbf), the PW4168/A (68,600 lbf), the R-R Trent 772-60/772B-60A (71,100 lbf), the PW4164 (64,500 lbf) and the Trent 768-60 (67,500 lbf). |
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