Fenix Simulations has recently released the long-awaited sharklets update for their Airbus family lineup (except for the A319) for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, at no extra cost and with a wealth of new features.

While the A320 and the A321 will be getting the sharklets as of right now, the A319 will take a while. They claim it's been a bit tricky to obtain reliable data on it, as not many exist in real life. 

The sharklets are more than just a visual thing. Airbus went the extra mile to warrant similar handling and overall behavior between both variants, mainly on the "software" side of things, making it hardly noticeable if one doesn't look closely enough. Fenix Simulations claims to have accurately replicated the subtle system differences and flight dynamics behavior, warranting a realistic experience.

The flight model has been adjusted to the sharklets, with a bit more lift on the wings, less drag, and extra energy on flare, which is said to be subtle but noticeable if you pay close attention. Regardless, the fly-by-wire system should make the overall handling feel relatively homogeneous across all variants, as in real life.

As previously mentioned, there are also software changes, with upgrades to the two elevator and aileron computers, three spoiler elevator computers, and the two flight augmentation computers, as well as less significant changes to the ECAM, fuel, FMGC, and more. 

Among these ELAC changes, Fenix Simulations highlights the Load Alleviation Function, which alleviates wing structure loading, as the extra weight of the sharklets also means more strain on the wings, making them bend more aggressively in extreme conditions. The LAF system rapidly deploys ailerons upwards while in-flight or spoilers 4 and 5 to prevent that. The FBW system was also tweaked to accommodate the new system and its inherencies.

Ground physics also underwent improvements. The tiller mapping from the real A320 was applied to their add-on, adding a bit of extra weight to the taxi phase across their entire range of aircraft (wingtips included).

They have also built a custom wingflex model to accommodate the more obvious sharklet wingflex, taking into account a lot of factors such as localized forces, fuel tank level, etc. It has also been backported to the wingtip fences. They also reinforce that it's mostly a work in progress and might not be perfect initially.

The ADIRS model has been upgraded to the newer version, applying to both aircraft. The old one has been ultimately retired as it's rare in currently flying A320s anymore. The ACP was also upgraded, and the old one was phased out. They plan on bringing both the old ADIRS and ACP as options in the future.

The new digital standby instrument has also been added as an integral - and forced - part of the sharklets modernization, complete with the correct degraded displays and its functions.

Lastly, the ACT tanks were added to the A321, allowing for realistically operated transcontinental flights and routes like Finnair's HEL—PMI. The presence of the ACTs also means less space in the cargo compartment, which is also modeled.

The complete changelog follows down below:

Avionics and Systems

• Added custom wingflex simulation
• Added Additional Center Tank (ACT) support to A321, including ECAM SD FUEL adjustments, and updated FWC logic. Configurable via fnx_act_count in the aircraft.cfg of a livery (0, 1 or 2)
• Added LAF including the LAF INOP ECAM messages
• Updated Sharklet characteristic speed computation logic for FMGS vs. FAC data sourcing
• Added various FAC/SEC/ELAC updates
• Improved FAC weight estimation
• Added “CHECK WEIGHT” message
• Added sync between ACP volume knobs and the simulator (works for default ATC, but vPilot doesn’t currently read these simvars)
• Added ability for VOR/ILS/ADF idents to be heard
• Added new style ISIS displays. Forced on for Sharklets, but configurable per-livery for other types
• Added missing (but still INOP) STATUS/XLOAD menu item
• Added randomised boarding when using GSX
• Added “STOP RUDDER INPUT” trigger gates and activation logic to Sharklet aircraft (aircraft equipped with newer software standard)
• Improved auto-connection of jetways
• Improved EFOB predictions for climb and descent phase
• Improved error handling in certain situations (vaguely gestures)
• Updated weight calculations performed by FMGC and FAC for sharklets
• Updated F, S and O speed factors slightly for all variants
• Updated CI calculations for A319 & A321
• Updated CONFIG and MAINT menu locations to free up LSK 5R for other functions
• Fixed 12 different crashes based on Sentry reporting data. Thanks to everyone who has Auto Crash Reporting turned on in the App!
• Fixed walk-in gate handling during deboarding with GSX
• Fixed missing degrees character next to GND TEMP on INIT A
• Fixed GSX pushback being repeatedly called on arrival
• Fixed doors not opening fast enough when GSX stairs connected
• Fixed FWD cargo door closing and clipping into GSX equipment
• Fixed predictive GPS not working when the arrival runway is not known
• Fixed center tank jet pump flow indicators showing when the aircraft first loads
• Fixed VLS being higher than green dot
• Fixed CP2 not showing in loadsheets
• Fixed default squawk code not being 2000
• Fixed ailerons/spoilers moving at an incorrect speed when in ground mode
• Fixed outer to inner cell transfer valve showing on variants that do not have outer and inner cells in their fuel tanks
• Fixed ND’s being too dark in ROSE LS mode
• Fixed some sharklet elevator and trim data not being loaded
• Fixed incorrect VLS calculation on takeoff and go around
• Fixed incorrect VLS factors for A320

The update is available right now via Fenix Installer. The full bundle (A319/A320/A321) is available on their website for roughly $103.87.

Stay tuned to Threshold for more flight simulation news!

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