Airbus 320 for FSX

[Skybird]

Oberon, I think it was you asking for an Airbus for FS long time ago, two or three years...?

Back then Aerosoft released an own-developement of theirs, which looked stunning, but system depth and realism was masisvely simplified. What was said back then already is that from beginning on they planned to release TWO versions of that package, with an improved, more complex, more realistic one coming later. It seems that that release is coming later summer this year now. Talk is of August.

They say that the new version was pretty much developed by demand and custom requests by a professional customer.

I understand that by looks the new package will base very much on the old version for the wider market. I will not complain, here are some pics of the old version,

http://www.aerosoft.de/_php_projekte...=fsx&p=airbusx

followed by a video of the old version.

The new version will have these changes

• Full implementation of the MCDU functions (so added SIDs, STARs, routes, VNAV)
• Complete rewrite of the FBW system (not using any FSX functions, so unfortunately loosing compatibility with many hardware addons)
• Includes second engine type
• Reworked NAV display
• Adding of two more models and 24+ more liveries
• New very innovative checklist (showing all incorrect switches and allowing them to be corrected from inside the checklist, in other words, clicking on the 'complete pre-flight checklist' button will actually complete it.
• More (hundreds) and better sounds
• Inclusion of several add-ins created by customers.

The basic idea that we focus on the general day to day operation of the airbus seen from the captains seat remains. So we still do not care a lot about cabin views, maintenance or even failures that happens on average.... nearly never.

I'll keep an eye on developements. By looks, I like the cockpit, it now is about functionality and realism, reliability of procedures and stability.

[Skybird]

Release date for the new and extended version of the Aerosoft Airbus A320 is September 3rd. What it is about and simulation details can be read here.

http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?...review-part-2/

To me it looks as if it will not be en par with the benchmark set by PMDG 737NGX, but taken for itself it probably will be a very solid and extensive simulation module. I consider to get it, but will wait for feedback on it.

The screenshots of the night cockpit they gave, are juicy and tasty, I'd say!

[Oberon]

Impressive indeed, it's good to see other companies taking the lead of PMDG in terms of hi-fidelity and fully immersive aircraft.
Thanks for the heads up Sky

[Skybird]

The Airbus X Extended will come with its own dedicated flight recorder, which does what usually is acchieved by external tools like Flight Sim Commander 9. It will display the flightroute in real 3D on Google Earth, painting kind of a rollercoaster-graph on the fully zoomable map. Not only will you be able to see whether or not you really passed over your house for sure, but you will also see the altitude at which you did (or not).

Nothing essential, but a nice toy to play around with.

[Skybird]

The day is coming. Release planned for next Monday afternoon.

This document has been released to inform customers on the level of system depth and detail they could expect. It is the printed step-by-step tutorial for the first demonstration flight that newcomers are advised to take.

The sim will come as download, and later as boxed version as well.

[Skybird]

Touchdown - after some last minute betatest problems delaying the release for almost three months, the Airbus just has landed. Aerosoft announced today the release of the download version of the "A320 Extended".

http://en.shop.aerosoft.com/eshop.ph...nguage=english

Note on the page at the bottom are links to the manual in various languages (pdf).

Box release planned for end of January.

I will wait in silence and observe. If things look good, I will get the box. My birthday is mid-February. Perfect timing that is.

FEATURES:

General:

Simulation of the Airbus A320 and A321 focused on the day to day operation of the aircraft from the left seat.
Five models: A320 IAE engines, A320 CFM engines, A321 IAE engines, A321 CFM engines, A320 NEO demonstrator (A320 CFM with sharklets).
Late model cockpit (with LCD and updated ADIRS). Note we do default to the A321 CFM cockpit for all models (that is is also flown with N1 displays btw).
Twenty-one liveries, extensive paint kit. Over 100 additional liveries available on release.
Sublime modeling/texturing based on the latest technologies. Very easy on frame-rates.
Landing lights, taxi lights, taxiway turn-off lights created with the best technology which actually lights objects up.
Dozens of non-standard animations, all with sound effects (sun screens, windows, tables, tiller, jump seat, standby compass, drooping flight surfaces etc).
Included web server that allows you to access (and use) the MCDU via any web browser; ideal for tablet computers.
Automated State Save that saves (and loads) all the aircraft systems when the standard FSX save (load) option is used.
Extensive options to show ground objects (cones, ground power etc) and to actually provide ground power.
All main doors and cargo hatches can be opened.
Many systems programmed in XML to allows users to change code.
Extensive manuals, with highly detailed step-by-step section in (at least) 12 languages.
Prepared for Airport Enhancement Services. Fully compatible with GSX.
SDK will be available, LINDA connectivity available.
Add-in system that allows the aircraft to be extended with 3rd party applications (all using the right MCDU).
Add-in View system: adds many pre-defined views for easy use, emulates 2D panel views.
Add-in Sound system: adds hundreds of background sounds to enhance the immersion.
Add-in Checklist system: semi-automated audio checklists. Checklist has two options, callouts only, or callouts with semi-automation (think virtual co-pilot).
We opened part of the support sections already so the FAQ section could assist in answering some of the frequently asked questions: http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?/forum/518-faq/
Fully tested under Windows 8.


Systems:

Fully custom Fly-by-Wire systems with flight envelope protection, stall protection, pitch and roll limiter, g-load limiter, over speed protection, Alpha Floor protection, auto trim. Very nice to manually fly.
Fully custom autopilot systems, with full Cat III auto land, V/S, Managed CLB/DES, OP CLB/DES, heading and NAV modes. VNAV and LNAV included. FPA/TRK included.
Fully custom thrust computer systems (FADEC), throttle with detents, flex take-off.
Full featured MCDU (can be controlled via web browser, for example on tablet computers), also, information can be inserted using a the keyboard!
Flight plans supports SIDs, STARs, transitions, approaches, go-arounds, holds, Managed climbs and descent, constraints, and direct-to route editing.
VOR tracking implemented, DME arcs supported.
Comes with NavDataPro (LIDO) navigation database (better coverage then Navigraph) but backwards compatible with Navigraph. AIRAC 1213 is included and this can be updated by the user at any moment.
Complete Runway Awareness and Advisory System included.
12 ECAM pages included, showing relevant aircraft information.
Full featured Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) with 25 hour storage capacity and external display program (data can be exchanged with FS Flight Keeper, and a visual display of your flight can be exported to view in Google Earth).
Full features ADIR`s system.
Full feature TCAS system (including audio warnings) for AI Traffic, IVAO, VATSIM.
Full custom electrical bus system, with realistic battery run down and voltages.
Navigation display with curved lines, de-cluttering, stopwatch, selected navaid, runway information, range change, mode change, stopwatch etc.
Full custom fuel flow, avoiding standard FSX limitations.
Full custom autobrakes with constant deceleration instead of constant brake pressure.
Full featured loading and refueling module (interfaced with FSX) with advanced and simple mode.
Print option (not virtual, real printing) for performance sheet with V1, VR, V2, Runway Data, Packs, Flaps, Acceleration Height, Flex, Wind, OAT, QNH.


RAAS Functionality:

Approaching Runway (on ground)
Approaching Runway (in air)
On Runway
Runway End
Taxiway Take-off
Insufficient Runway Length
Extended Holding on Runway
Approaching Short Runway (in air)
Taxiway Landing
Flaps Setting (Take-off and Landing)
Landing Distance Remaining
Distance Remaining (Rejected Take-off)
Excessive Approach Speed
Excessive Approach Angle
Unstable Approach
Altimeter settings (above and below Transition)


Additional features:

Various background sounds from cabin crew, flight crew and ATC (optional)
View panel bar to easily switch between various 2D (11) and 3D views (16)
Contains in total 16 Checklists from COCKPIT PREPARATION to PARKING
Checklists mainly start automatic based on the flight situation p. e. the BEFORE TAKE CL automatically starts when plane reaches the runway holding point, DESCENT PREPARATION CL 9 NM from TOD etc.
Orally spoken checklist items by the PF and confirmed by the PnF
Option included that the PnF also performs certain settings (gear up, flaps settings etc.) which are part of the checklists
Infobar displaying the next manually to be taken action
Integration of AES functionality (optional) e.g. different pushback procedures if AES is installed
Speed limiter p. e. if the speed below 10.000 feet exceeds 250 knots the PnF gives a warning and automatically (optional) extends spoilers until the speed is below 250 knots.
Option to pause FSX 10 NM before TOD or at next waypoint
Saving of all made settings for the next flight (except CHECKLIST and PnF functionality)
Ground services (toggle of external objects, chocks, pylons, ground power unit)
Doors control (controls all doors and hatches)
Flight Data Recorder controls

Included liveries:

A320 CFM:
Air Lingus
Aeroflot
Air Asia
Avianca
Condor Flugdienst
Delta
Easy Jet
Edelweiss
Finnair
Iberia
Niki
Swiss Air

A320 IAE:
British Airways
Egypt Air
Israir
Kingfisher
LAN
Spanair
United Airlines
US Airways

A321 CFM:
Air Berlin
Airbus Industries
Air France
Alitalia
Austrian
Finnair
Swiss Air
Thomas Cook

A321 IAE:
AtlasJet
British Airways
China Southern
Jetstar.com
Lufthansa
Monarch
Novair
Royal Jordanian
Turkish

A320 CFM Sharklets:
Airbus Industry demonstrator
Air Berlin One World
American
Indigo
Lufthansa
Norwegian
Spirit
TAM
Virgin America

Upgrade from:
Airbus X Download to Airbus X Extended Download:
19,95 € incl. 19% VAT (without VAT 16,76 €). Please enter the "Airbus X" serial code during the order process (above the selection of the payment method).
Airbus X Box to Airbus X Extended Download:
19,95 € incl. 19% VAT (without VAT 16,76 €). Please enter the "Airbus X" serial code during the order process (above the selection of the payment method).
Airbus X Box to Airbus X Extended Box:
24,99 € incl. 19% VAT (without VAT 21.00 €). Read more under >> CD-Upgrade-Service <<.
Airbus X Entended Download with Virtual Airline discount:
32,95 € (without VAT 27,69 €). Please note that discounts cannot be combined. Virtual Airlines can contact support@aerosoft.com for more information.

[Skybird]

Interview with Aerosoft on the Airbus. Looks like an open project with plenty of potential for future developement!

http://forum.avsim.net/page/index.ht...nded-with-r952

Screenshots of the cockpit, especially when lit by night, look very nice.

Videos have started to show up:





part 1 - inflight, cockpit

part 2 - landing, taxiing at Dusseldorf Addon scenery


Cockpit looks nice!

[Skybird]

1st hotfix published.

List of downloadable "step by step" manuals in many languages released - best chance to see if this bird is for you:

http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?...60837-manuals/