Fenix A320 V3: the biggest free update yet, with new VNAV, ECAM and flight model
Fenix Simulations has shown V3 for its A320 in a two-hour video. The studio calls it its largest product improvement ever. It was previously known as the VNAV and ECAM update. V3 will be free for owners of the A320 and the A319/A321 expansion, for both MSFS 2020 and 2024. If everything goes to plan, it releases next week. Around a hundred beta testers have been flying it.
Flight model and taxiing
Fenix reworked the aircraft’s inertia using the MSFS 2024 inertia tensor and backported the result to MSFS 2020. The fly-by-wire was tuned on five certified full-flight simulators and with real A320 pilots. There are new flight directors and a smoother autopilot. Taxiing gets a hybrid model covering puddles, braking, slopes and single-engine taxi.
New VNAV
The flight management system has been rewritten around the Thales FMS. It now has idle and geometric descent segments, MORE DRAG and TOO STEEP messages, proper DECEL handling, and adjustable idle and performance factors. According to Fenix’s data, fewer than 5% of real flights stay fully managed down to 10 nm, about one in five need speed brakes below FL100, and one in three need extra thrust during an idle descent. The new VNAV is meant to behave just as realistically. Lateral navigation was improved too, with turn transitions, PI legs, database holds and offsets. The negative EFOB bug has been fixed as well.
ECAM and engines
The flight warning computer (FWC) was rebuilt to run at the real cycle rate with lower CPU load. The two FWCs run slightly out of sync, as on the real aircraft. There are new radio altimeter callouts, and T.O. CONFIG now cross-checks data from the FMS. FADEC was rewritten for four engine types, which lays the groundwork for the NEO. CFM and V2500 engines behave differently in a failed start. There are new options for pack inhibit, the IAE motoring timeout and Auto TOGA, while derated takeoff will follow later.
Cabin, EFB and sound
- full CIDS and flight attendant panel (FAP), which can also be opened on a separate device;
- a virtual purser makes announcements, controls the lights and runs cabin checks;
- water and waste are simulated, affect the centre of gravity and are serviced via the MCDU or GSX;
- an EFB with searchable settings, a QRH that opens the right procedure when something fails, and custom checklists;
- new sound recordings and binaural audio, with reworked CFM56 and V2500 sounds;
- active noise cancellation that switches on with the headset;
- physics-based shaking of cockpit fittings and refraction in the windows;
- navigation data updates straight from the MCDU, GSX sync and a fixed TCAS bug.
What V3 won’t include
Aircraft state saving and the MEL will come later. A320neo development is back at full speed, and NEO buyers will get a free FWC standard upgrade for their CEO as well.
If you fly the Fenix A320, keep an eye on the Fenix Installer next week. And on your first descent with the new VNAV, take your time and watch how the aircraft builds its own profile.
Source: Fenix Simulations (YouTube)