The Fenix Simulations team has published a large development update regarding the Sharklets update for their A320 series for Microsoft Flight Simulator. They also announced that the Sharklets for Airbus A320 and A321 are going to be released this week.
Troubles with A319 Sharklets Development
First of all, it has been mentioned that the development of the A319 Sharklets variant is quite troublesome, as there is not many of these aircraft flying in real life. This also influences the fact that it is not going to be released this week alongside the Sharklets for A320 and A321.
Not only does this development require a change of the visual model, but also the implementation of different systems to the aircraft. Essentially, the aircraft should all behave the same way as their raked wingtip variants.
More Changes Than Just a Wingtip
The update is also going to be accompanied by a systems upgrade, as the Sharklet variants include improved elevator and aileron computers, three spoiler elevator computers and two flight augmentation computers. These changes are reflected in the ECAM, fuel, FMGC and more.
We can also notice a “STOP RUDDER INPUT” on the MFD in action.
The ground physics has been improved as well, and the real tiller mapping has been included from the real aircraft. The animations are also getting an upgrade to accommodate the unique “bounce” wingflex visible only on the Sharklet variant of each aeroplane.
The wingflex model is also going to take the amount of loaded fuel into consideration. However, this is only a subtle effect. Despite that, the Fenix team says that wingflex is still going to be an ongoing project.
Both wingtip variants of each aircraft is going to get a new ADIRS model, as the older ADIRS model, which the previous versions of the Fenix A320 series were based on, is no longer common to find.
More A321 Improvements
The A321 also received a new upgrade alongside Sharklets. It will get additional centre tanks as an option for this aircraft variant. You have the choice of equipping with either one of two of these additional centre tanks.
They are especially popular in a lot of American Airlines and JetBlue planes that fly passengers across the whole United States. Certain liveries in the Livery Manager will have this option enabled upon release.
We can also notice the difference in the additional centre tank configuration in the images below.
New Lighting Option
The A320 is also equipped with LED lights as opposed to only the classic halogens. The Fenix add-on is now going to include this lighting option as well.
This includes new NAV lights, landing lights, taxi lights and strobe lights. These LED strobe lights are notorious for being too strong, and blockers are fitted with these as well.
Liveries and Closing Word
In total, there are 106 liveries available for Sharklet variants of A321 and A320. This means, that the Livery Manager now includes over 600 liveries across the whole A320 Series by Fenix Simulations.
Lastly, it has been mentioned that the Sharklets for A320 and A321 are going to be released this week, and together with that, the bundle discount on the A320 and A31/A321 Expansion package is going to be closed.
The Fenix Simulations team also made a statement on the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 development. The developer does not have access to the developer alpha and this means that there are a lot of uncertainties about Fenix Aircraft being available immediately on release.
If you would like to read more about Fenix Simulations and their work, make sure to read our article on their recent Airbus A321 update here.
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