Fenix Simulations has just published a new development update, confirming that its A320neo expansion will not arrive before the end of 2025, as the team has shifted attention to the current A320 lineup for now.

After what Fenix describes as intense, very direct feedback from users and support tickets, three problem areas have been pushed to the front of the queue, these being VNAV, state saving, and an ageing ECAM framework.

As for the VNAV, this will see a full rewrite. Fenix openly admits that the existing system sits on very old, generalised code, which has led to oddities in vertical path building, deceleration placement, and performance figures.

The new VNAV is built from the ground up, including more accurate handling of pressurisation segments and decel points, and the team says it has captured behaviour it previously only saw in the real aircraft or full-fidelity level-D simulators. Underneath that, a brand-new ECAM infrastructure is replacing the legacy system.

Both the revised VNAV and the new ECAM framework have entered limited internal testing, with small groups of subject matter experts focusing on each system, before a wider beta follows.

Fenix says the NEOs are already in a position to move into testing once the VNAV and ECAM update has been released to existing customers. Alongside this, work on proper state saving continues in the background.

The team plans to share dedicated media showcasing the new VNAV and ECAM closer to release, and only then will the spotlight fully swing back to the A320neo and the experimental features being lined up for its eventual debut.

A small taste of what’s to come was, however, shared, which you can take a look at here:

For all the latest news and updates, stay tuned on Threshold!

If you enjoy our content and want to support Threshold, consider joining us on Patreon!