Fenix Simulations have released yet another blog post full of details about their upcoming A319 & A321 expansion pack. This post comes not long after they gave us a first proper in-depth look at the two aircraft on the 15th of August. Fenix also announced a rough release date at the end of the post.
Core Art Changes for the A319 and A321 & A319 Configurations
Instead of simply changing the existing textures to fit these new variants, the Fenix team has rebuilt them from the ground up. This rebuild comes with all new weathering and materials for added realism. The A319 is, by default, shown in a higher pressurization cycle state which shows airframe deformation. The deformation is also visible on the A32X around the nose.
Many people have been asking Fenix about the overwing emergency exit on the A319 as two configurations exist and Fenix had a simple solution. To give us more realistic operations in the A319, depending on the airline you choose to fly, both configurations have been included. To add both of these meant changing a lot more than just the model as Fenix had to change the ECAM, cabin and wing layout.
To allow for a more realistic experience, the team didn’t feel right representing airlines with a fake dual emergency exit or have to cover it up for airlines like Lufthansa. The A319 has a high density cabin layout which requires dual overwing exits, and Fenix have delivered on both configurations. This customisation changes per livery so it matches what variant the real airline operates.
Expansion Pack – A321
Starting off with the A321, Fenix once again had to decide between single class or two class cabin layouts. However, the team came to the same answer, to include both configurable by livery. The two class layout will even come with a divider curtain that can be moved depending on the phase of flight you are in currently.
Talking further about the aircraft, we were given a look at the A321’s double-slotted flaps. These are unique to the A321, as they work to increase lift at a lower pitch. This helps to reduce the chance of a tailstrike on take-off and landing. The spoilers have also been given a slight extension to the trailing edge of the wing, this makes all the difference for the A321.
Present on both the IAE and CFM engines, an extra strake is visible on the outboard engine cowling. This strake creates a strong vortex over the wing to prevent flow detachment at high angle of attacks. Another unique feature of the A321 is present on the CFM56. Chevrons can be seen on the exhaust cone of the engine, which keeps the noise level on par with the A319 and A320 variants.
Expansion Pack Release Window and Engine Sounds
Further capturing the essence of the different variations of each aircraft, Fenix have replicated the sounds of the engines per aircraft to make it as close to real life as possible. A short video was shared in the post which covered the CFM56 engine sounds on all three aircraft. The video showcased the different sounds from the howling derates of an A319, to a hot day at full TOGA with the A321.
Finally, Fenix announced a release window for their expansion pack, which will be releasing sometime next week as of writing (August 17th). The expansion pack will release at a price of £39.99GBP. Fenix shared many previews of the liveries they have been working on for sometime at the end of the blog post.
That is the end of what was shared with us and what will be the last pre-release post before the expansion pack launches next week. You can read up about Fenix’s previous post covering the expansion pack in more detail here. To stay up to date on the latest flight simulator related news, check out the rest of FSNews.
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