AIRBUS A320
The A320 is perhaps best known as the first airliner to introduce a fly-by-wire flight control system. This revolutionary development allowed for inputs from the pilots to be transmitted to the flying surfaces by electronic signals rather than mechanical means, setting the stage for software enhanced flight control programs. Software assisted flight controls make it virtually impossible to exceed certain flight parameters (G limits, acceleration levels and the aircraft's maximum and minimum operating speeds) which allows for a host of safety and maintenance issues to be reinforced. The A320 also employs a relatively high percentage of composite materials compared to earlier designs, as well as advanced avionics features.