What groundbreaking aviation development did the Airbus A320 introduce?

• A. The first commercial airliner with solar power capabilities
• B. The first commercial airliner to have a fully fly-by-wire control system
• C. The first long-haul passenger aircraft
• D. The first commercial aircraft to utilize composite materials

Answer: (B)

The Airbus A320 is significant because it was the first commercial airliner to implement a fully fly-by-wire control system. This innovation replaced traditional mechanical linkages between the pilot's controls and the aircraft's control surfaces with electronic signals. This system allows for advanced flight control capabilities, including envelope protection, which helps prevent pilots from exceeding the aircraft's safe operating parameters. The fly-by-wire technology also improves reliability, reduces weight, and enhances overall aircraft performance, marking a pivotal shift in aviation design and control systems.

Other options, while they represent important developments in aviation, do not apply to the A320. For instance, solar power capabilities, long-haul designs, and the use of composite materials in primary structures were not the defining or groundbreaking characteristics of the A320. The introduction of fly-by-wire technology by the A320 was a revolutionary step that has influenced subsequent aircraft designs across the industry.