Explore Aeroplanes.im
A320neo.aeroplanes.im
Field notes

The departure-lounge diary of Useless

Useless is the network’s eraser-in-residence. This time it has been left at the gate with a window seat and a notebook. Every fact in here has been checked by someone more qualified, i.e. anyone.

Useless, a pink-and-blue eraser with googly eyes
  1. Day 1

    ‘neo’ stands for New Engine Option. I asked for a New Eraser Option. They gave me the same eraser and a pep talk. Airbus: A320 Family, the most delivered aircraft ever · checked 29 Oct 2026

  2. Day 2

    The first A320’s first flight lasted 3 hours and 23 minutes. My longest flight lasted 0.4 seconds, from desk to bin. I still log it. Airbus newsroom: 30 years young… and still going strong (22 Feb 2017)

  3. Day 3

    The A320 swapped the pilot’s control column for a sidestick. I swapped my pencil for a slightly shorter pencil. Innovation is everywhere. Airbus newsroom: Airbus jetliners, a standard-setting history (Jun 2018)

  4. Day 4

    Sharklets are 2.4 metres tall. I am 2.4 centimetres tall. Same number. I’m counting that. Airbus newsroom: Winglets, a tip-top solution for more efficient aircraft (Feb 2017)

  5. Day 5

    Before Sharklets, the A320 had little wingtip fences poking above and below the tip. I also have bits poking out above and below. Those are crumbs. Airbus newsroom: Winglets, a tip-top solution for more efficient aircraft (Feb 2017)

  6. Day 6

    On a flight tracker an A320neo is ‘A20N’. On the class register I’m ‘that rubber thing’. We each have our code. FAA Order JO 7360.1K, Aircraft Type Designators (effective 12 Jun 2025, PDF) · checked 29 Oct 2026

  7. Day 7

    The LEAP-1A’s fan is 78 inches across. My fan club is 1 person across. It’s my mum. She’s very supportive. CFM International: LEAP engine family · checked 29 Oct 2026

  8. Day 8

    The No. 1 A320 tried out 29 different jet engines. I’ve tried out 29 different pencil cases. Same commitment to science. Airbus newsroom: 30 years young… and still going strong (22 Feb 2017)

  9. Day 9

    Airbus says an A320 Family aircraft takes off or lands somewhere every two seconds. In that time I can rub out one very small spelling mistake. Airbus: A320 Family, the most delivered aircraft ever · checked 29 Oct 2026

  10. Day 10

    The XL bins hold 60% more luggage, says Airbus. My pencil case holds 60% more crumbs since I moved in. We’re both growing. Airbus press release: Airbus delivers first A321XLR (30 Oct 2024)

  11. Day 11

    Cabin air on the family gets refreshed every 2–3 minutes, says Airbus. Air in the pencil case gets refreshed every school holiday. Airbus: A320 Family, the most delivered aircraft ever · checked 29 Oct 2026

  12. Day 12

    The A321XLR flies up to 4,700 nautical miles. I once travelled 4.7 metres, in a sock, in the washing machine. Long haul. Airbus: A321XLR (product page and key figures) · checked 29 Oct 2026

  13. Day 13

    The A321neo is 44.51 m long, the longest of the family. I was the longest eraser in my packet. Then I got used. Airbus: A321neo (product page and key figures) · checked 29 Oct 2026

  14. Day 14

    Pilots can fly the A318, A319, A320 and A321 on one type rating. I can rub out pencil, crayon and… no, just pencil. Airbus: A320 Family, the most delivered aircraft ever · checked 29 Oct 2026

  15. Day 15

    The first A320neo was delivered on 20 January 2016. I was delivered in a multipack. Nobody made a ceremony of it. Airbus press release: A320neo with CFM LEAP-1A engines receives joint EASA and FAA Type Certification (May 2016)