Fenix has shared a new development update covering the status of its upcoming A320neo and the current CEO product. The team has confirmed that the NEOs will not release before the end of the year, following internal restructuring to prioritise updates to existing systems based on community feedback.
A significant portion of this work focuses on a full VNAV overhaul. Fenix says the current implementation is built on outdated architecture, leading to inconsistencies in areas such as deceleration management, pressurisation sequencing, EFOB calculation and overall vertical path construction. The replacement system is described as far more accurate and reflective of behaviour seen in real-world Airbus operations and full-fidelity Level-D simulators. Fenix plans to go into more detail closer to release, but states the new VNAV will represent a major step forward for both the CEO and the upcoming NEO.
Alongside VNAV, a new ECAM framework is also being introduced to replace legacy code that has caused long-running bugs within the existing aircraft. Both new systems have now entered limited internal testing with subject matter experts evaluating them ahead of wider beta rollout.
State saving also remains in development. Fenix notes this goes beyond simply remembering switch positions and instead requires a holistic simulation of the aircraft’s internal condition. This feature is expected to arrive after the VNAV and ECAM update is released.
While these priorities have pushed the A320neo timeline back, development work on the expansion continues. Fenix says the aircraft is already at a stage where testing can begin shortly after the systems update is finalised. The team also hinted at additional experimental features planned for the NEO package, with more information to come closer to release. But if you want to get a sneak peek of the NEO in action, Fenix did deliver a little teaser of the plane.
Fenix says the decision to prioritise the existing product reflects a commitment to supporting customers who have already purchased the CEO before releasing new paid content. The developer plans to share preview media of the new VNAV and ECAM systems ahead of deployment, after which focus will shift back to the NEO.
This may be disappointing news to some, but the team tells us that they are committed to ensuring that they deliver quality work before asking the community for more money for expansion packs on their products. We’ll be sure to keep you posted.
