Trim Tank System Improves Airbus A310–300 Performance

AIRBUS Industrie will shortly deliver the first A310–300, a long range version of the A310. The new airliner will carry 218 passengers non‐stop over 8,500km. One of the technological features of this aircraft is the trim tank system which, by disposition of the fuel, permits optimum control of the centre of gravity in the longitudinal axis; the aircraft is trimmed by the process of pumping fuel into a trim tank. The trim tank system comprises an additional fuel tank in the horizontal stabiliser, pumps, valves, sensors, a digital computer and a fuel line between the horizontal stabiliser and the main tank in the wings.