Fenix Simulations has recently issued a new update to their A320 lineup for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, introducing tweaks to the fly-by-wire roll, an autothrust overhaul, and performance improvements.

Update 2.4.0.2225 is the first update after the so-called “Big Fenix Update”, further enhancing the work on the flight model with fly-by-wire ground roll improvements, and a complete rebuild of the autothrust system, replicating how the real A320 behaves with broader tolerances and targeting smoothness rather than responsively abrupt as it used to be before, being almost “too good” rather than delivering a real representation of how the system truly works. 

The new autothrust is said to be “slightly more intelligent” than before and might be a few knots off the target speed. However, that is because it works within the internally defined tolerances to smooth out any necessary changes, making the flight more comfortable and fuel efficient. 

Furthermore, soft cruise was also tweaked, with more deviation during the ALT CRZ phase, to ensure passenger comfort by trading energy across speed and altitude to avoid changing thrust. While this system was in place beforehand, the old autothrust behavior would not allow it to kick in properly.

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The fly-by-wire roll was also tweaked to achieve closer results to the real counterpart, with a greater sense of inertia on the roll axis. They validated the behavior on three different Level D simulators, where all of them behaved differently to an extent, but they managed to find a middle ground using a mixture of the Level D testing, pilot feedback, and the datasets they used to adjust their control responses. They have adapted their roll PID controllers for better granular control, adding a new damping channel for certain conditions, allowing for greater control overall.

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The new update also improves the sounds - especially the CFM56 engine variant -and the core display rendering system has been changed, aiming to simplify it for everyone, while increasing its robustness and performance. The complete changelog for the update follows below:

Avionics and Systems

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• Reworked roll PID behaviour
• Retuned roll channel for all variants in accordance with new roll PID behaviours
• Reworked A/THR: better estimation of required thrust changes, improvements to APPR mode, and improvements to SOFT ALT, fixed sluggish behaviour when moving throttle lever to limit N1/EPR
• Added sim rate reset LSK
• Added a “restart display” button to the launcher for instances when the systems are running, but displays have failed
• Added Y HYD STEERING to the list of livery-configurable options (fnx_yellow_hydraulic_steering)
• Improved rendering pipeline (removed display sync option)
• Improved launcher UI around restarting displays, safe mode, and CPU rendering
• Fixed the start valve position showing incorrectly when the FADEC is unpowered
• Fixed incorrect handling of UserCfg.opt files
• Fixed RMP standby frequencies not being settable from the simulator (e.g. via SimConnect events)
• Fixed stuttering/freezes when switching ND modes/heavy rendering
• Fixed INVALID WIND UPLINK not showing
• Fixed DMC switching not waiting for the self test to complete
• Fixed flight number showing on F-PLN when offset
• Fixed metric altitudes on PFD not being rounded to the nearest 10 m
• Fixed sometimes being unable to open/close cargo doors
• Fixed potential crash in SimConnect code
• Fixed launcher being stuck on “starting Fenix”

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Art and Sound

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• Added WXR INOP sticker (visible when safe mode rendering is on, it should be off to see WXR on the ND)
• Improvements to sounds, particularly CFM
• Improved wind recordings and volume level across cabin and flight deck
• [2024] Fixed THS wheel indicator animation looping
• [2024] Fixed windows not being hidden when the cabin is disabled
• [2024] Fixed cockpit text having blurry decals
• [2024] Fixed D1L closing when switching walkaround modes
• [2024] Fixed pilot not being visible
• [2024] Fixed A319/A321-specific cockpit decals not being used
• [2024] Fixed incorrect A321 speed placard
• [2024] Fixed incorrect wing emergency exit roughness on A319
• [2024] Fixed cargo door handle not locking in position
• [2024] Fixed holes in A321 cabin
• [2024] Fixed right landing light only turning on if the left was turned on
• [2020] Fixed high altitude landing dots overlapping annunciator
• [2020] Fixed maintenance bus switch not working
• [2020] Fixed external power panel being closed when GPU is connected
• [2020] Fixed cargo bay lights being overly reflective
• Fixed hydraulics playing when switching views
• Fixed cargo station decals rendering incorrectly
• Fixed high altitude landing button inverted
• Fixed hole in latch when cockpit door closed
• Fixed cargo door handle not opening far enough

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EFB

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• Added synchronisation of imported flight plan between all EFB instances
• Added EFB sleeping when activating Cold and Dark panel state
• Improved resilience of EFB connection to systems
• Fixed duplicate preliminary loadsheets sending
• Fixed METARs being fetched for invalid airports
• Fixed errors in loadsheet generation
• Fixed errors when attempting to load custom PDFs
• Fixed weights being modifiable when boarding is in progress or finished
• Fixed user fuel changes not being applied to loadsheets

Fenix’s A320 lineup is available on their website for $120.90 (full bundle), or $67.17 (A320 only) + $53.73 (A319+A321). 

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