Fenix Releases V2B2 of their A320 for MSFS

The awaited V2B2 for the Fenix A320 is now available to download.

Posted: 28-Feb-2024 @ 17:00z

Fenix Releases V2B2 of their A320 for MSFS

After a long and anticipated wait, Fenix Simulations has released Version 2 Block 2 (V2B2) of its A320 for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The changelog below will give you a full understanding of what to expect with this all-new version of the Fenix A320. If you’re looking for some highlights of what is included, here’s an idea. V2B2 comes with improved EFBs, a new cabin announcement system, full GSX integration, and vast improvements to the engine simulation. Speaking of engine simulation, you will now get IAE engines included with the package, now completing both engine types for the A320 series.

V2B2 also comes with some impressive new 3D modelling. As a result, all your old liveries are now redundant, meaning you will need to download a fresh set. To help support efforts on making the most comprehensive livery set possible, Fenix has teamed up with a number of community artists who have made some stunning-looking liveries.

A new blog post was shared that gives you some fundamentals to understand some things that has changed with the new update. It’s worth reading to answer any burning questions you may have as you download your update.

If you don’t already own the Fenix A320, you can buy it from their store for £49.99. If you want to update, you will need to head to your customer portal and you can download from there.

Changelog

[LAUNCHER]

Added button that opens logs
Adjusted default settings
Minor UI tweaks

[SYSTEMS]

Rewrote idle descent pathing generation
Rewrote idle descent calculation math
Fixed random early application of descent speed limits
Fixed wrong speed target being used in descent
Fixed managed alt modes not being available in engine out conditions
Ripped out the old Cost Index calculation method, which was wildly inaccurate, and replaced it with all-new data, and all-new calcs for all phases. Climb, cruise, and descent.
Improved Cost Index calculation, should now provide more accurate values during all phases of flight
Overhauled the system that loads per-livery configuration settings and determines which engine type is shown on the displays.
Fixed brakes increasing temperature when in a GSX pushback.
Reworked the brake temperature model to accurately model the heat generated by braking, and dissipation both by radiative and convective transfers. Including a simulation of the difference in real disc temperature vs indicated temperature.
New brakes now have variances in disc mass.
Adjusted cooling dynamics for brakes in gear up (closed environment w/ 0 wind) configuration
Parking brake now affects how fast brakes cool down
Further improvements to VNAV.
Updated METAR and TAF API.
Fixed multiple crashes.
Added FADEC hot start handling for IAE engines.
Fixed display of pseudo waypoints with discontinuities.
Updated weather API for AOC WX.
Fixed crash caused by calculating CI values when CRZ ALT value was no longer available
Reduced VDEV jumps caused by erroneous distance calculations
Pseudo T/C and T/D should not appear in the f-pln behind PPOS.
Fixed TERR STBY false positive bug
Fixed wiper sound playing quietly when wiper CB is pulled
Updated grid heading formula
Fixed MCDU parse error when constraint context is passed instead of value
Added common AOC interface
Fixed go around not initiated if thrust levers never moved below FLX
Fix holding entry is recomputed and reappears after finishing entry in some holdings
Rolled back onToga() calls from the TLA toga level to edge
Fixed VNAV does not match fixes to correct legs, causing distancemap to be wrong
Changed CDU brightness key sensitivity
Fixed crash if cockpitsetup.xml is not in the expected location
FWC no longer remains in takeoff mode during single engine flight
Fixed LNAV calculation bug on FD legs
Fixed default transponder code not matching the code shown on TCAS panel
Fixed transponder not syncing when set externally (e.g. “.x 1234” in vPilot)
Fixed climb speed limit when in a SID with a more restrictive speed
Fixed DES SPD LIM not accepting input
Fixed TERR STBY showing when in GPS PRIMARY
Fixed ditto symbol (“) display on F-PLN page
Fixed ToC/ToD overlap on short routes
Added ICAO validation on AOC WX page
Fixed transponder codes below 0100 not working
Fixed bootstrapper not loading if it encountered unexpected data in an aircraft.cfg
Improved autothrottle mach hold
Fixed brake temps indicating below 0 degrees
Fixed brake temps not showing “XX” above 999 degrees
Fixed brake 2 using brake 1’s indicated temp (they’re now independent)
Fixed energy being added to the brakes when in slew
Multiple fixes to improve the reliability of EFB assets loading
Fixed CI speed issue when in lbs – this issue caused early speed reductions during descent
Added DCDU cockpit setup item
Added further failures: bird strike, engine fire, hung start
Added new configuration items for V2B2 art
Added support for LATLON waypoints in flight plan uplinks (55N052W, 5510N05215W, 552336N0521627W)
Adjusted FDU fire output signal for col1 & col2 lights to check both loops
Fixed formatting and precision on FUEL PRED page
Fixed missing space after un-entered ZFWCG
Fixed reversal in some ECAM procedures for GPWS FLAP MODE switch
Fixed “SPF” typo in an ECAM message
Added engine surge failure
Cargo door go boing
Fixed several ECAM messages for formatting and input sensing
Fixed pitot icing
Completed cargo door hydraulic simulation
Fixed GS showing on LOC only approaches
Fixed VNAV DES CSTR filtering
Optimised speed target detection
Fixed errors relating to TAS -> IAS conversion and overriding tropopause
Corrected PFD sidestick deflection activation
Display sync on by default
Added LVARS for engine type and cargo meat
Fixed EFB aircraft settings not saving
Fixed error in CAS calculation
Added IAE startup FADEC “bug” when high OAT
Fixed cargo door mechanical uplock
Fixed landing gear panel UNLK light logic
Fixed pack valves not reopening after engine start
Fixed IAE N1 FADEC reporting threshold
Made IAE engines read CONT IGN state from EEC
Fixed idle detection for high idle demand
Added SDS
Fixed engine shutdown procedure not triggering after engine failure
Added lvars for various hardware readouts (FCU, RMP, ADIRS, XPDR, QNH, Battery Voltage, and Rudder Trim)
Added IAE ignition faults
Various changes to support V2 art (engine values updating more frequently, annunciator brightness, auxiliary SimObject container titles, new interior lights)
Updated code signing certificate
Optimised LVAR setting
Fixed cargo isolation valve faults not closing cargo isolation valves
Fixed IR lights not working
Allow registration panels to be hidden
Added and tuned newer VNAV idle descent data recorded from
Added CVR fault ECAM
Added new internal input event system
Added proper switch to reverse in engine model
Fixed the elusive issue where the aircraft gets yeeted into the ground at mach 100000000
Fixed route showing below TA ONLY box
Fixed DDRMI position/numbers/test
Fixed alignment of 24 character ECAM lines
Fixed SD COND not being shown when zone controller fails
Fixed numbering on SD WHEEL page
Fixed display of ND mach CSTRs
Fixed yellow line on PFD when IRS are off
Tuned deceleration distances in VNAV pathing algo
Added ability to disable knob acceleration
Adjusted flap axis calibration
Adjusted throttle calibration
Adjusted throttle axis
Fixed some ECAM typos
Fixed strobe lights not activating when set on via MSFS control binding
Added GSX integration
Added ability for multiple armed failure conditions to be chained (so both a speed AND altitude arming)
Added FUEL X FEED ECAM INOP SYS item
Fixed issue where SID/STAR were not filtered based on runway selection.
Fixed STBY AOA shown as F/O AOA in ECAM
Removed SimBrief username from Fenix App (caused conflicts with EFB setting)
Added announcement system
Added sound attenuation from speakers within the cabin. Position within the aircraft affects the volume (directly under a speaker will be the loudest)
Built Audio cutout/stutter when power is interrupted (e.g. switching from APU to generators)
Announcement volume in the cabin increases when engines are starting, like real life
Cockpit door affects audio volume of announcements
Functional ACP PA receive knob, with adjustable volume
Slight randomness in announcement timings
Announcement soundpacks installable in Community folder, and selectable on a livery-basis (based on icao_airline in the livery aircraft.cfg)
Added engine fan heating ground service
Added REFUELG when GSX fuel hose connected
Added ability to call jetway/stairs when MECH overhead button is pressed
Added catering service during refuelling
Added normal brake to requirements for CAT III
Fixed another category of SID/STAR not showing correctly based on the runway
Fixed timing of yellow electric pump with cargo door
Fixed rudder trim not showing “L” if it’s 0
Ensured NORM BRK in green only shows on WHEEL page if alternate brakes or autobrake fails
Added opt-in error reporting
Added tags and variants to cabin announcement system
Added the ability for some cabin announcements to repeat. For example, BoardingWelcome will play every 5 minutes during boarding
Added support for multiple layers of cabin sounds. Music can now re-start after BoardingWelcome announcement
Added Turbulence announcement that plays when in climb or cruise phase, and seatbelts are switched on
Added cabin ready configuration item
Fixed more potential crashes
Fixed incorrect speed constraint handling
Fixed crash experienced when DCT TO or setting an altitude constraint (usually when in APPR phase)
Fixed SimBrief uplink where the alternate did not have a plan_rwy (BAV)
Changed annunciator light bright/dim values
Added engine surges system handling
Added call sound triggering for cabin crew ready announcement
Smoothed out autopilot roll
Added N1 filtering to XEM
Fixed yellow hydraulic pump starting when cargo door is not in the open freefall position
Fixed text and formatting in OIL LO PR ECAM
Fixed issue that could cause APU to shutdown after a quickstart
Fixed pre-planned DECELs missing
Fixed false positive TOO STEEP PATH on high angle glideslopes
Fixed alternate flight plan not having fuel calculations
Changed hydraulic pump response during cargo door movement
Improved timing precision of all sounds
Adjusted smoothness of N1 delta when bleed demand changes N1
Added new tiller logic (including rudder pull tab clickspot to toggle tiller)
Added cabin light switching when the announcements play
Added hold speed modification for IAE engines
Improved engine no light logic
Improved VNAV idle descent path building
Changed livery configuration names to make them clearer (breaking change from the old cockpitsetup.xml format)
Updated external dependencies
Fixed even more crashes
Fixed selection of alternate flight plan cruise alt
Fixed ECP ALL button switching back to the default page
Fixed some crashes in VNAV
Fixed pack fault when cranking
Improved failure integration with XEM
Fixed igniters not automatically shutting off during MAN START
Many performance improvements to internal code, particularly in communicating with the simulator and between our various systems
Added inHg/hPa to EFIS BARO syncing
Improved handling of TOO STEEP PATH
Improved ISIS sky colour
Improved CAB PRESS page showing too often
Improved rudder travel limit
Fixed N2 XX display threshold
Fixed pack valves not reopening after master switch returned to NORM on ground
Fixed VERT REV showing mach incorrectly
Fixed issue with default panel state not being set
Fixed min flex being greater than max flex
Fixed RMP SEL light showing in incorrect conditions
Optimised navdata database to improve query speed
Added “prefer CPU rendering” option
Added doors opening when EVAC is commanded
Renamed “use wizard displays” to “display sync”
Removed old “use display synchronisation” option
Significantly improved latency between keypress and something happening on the MCDU
Fixed first character from being cut off on F-PLN page
Enabled frame pacing for display sync
Various small improvements to MCDU codebase
Made displays full res in alternate renderer
Fixed four systems crashes
Improved FBW A.Prot program (AoA dampening, alpha protection law)
Improved autothrottle to reduce fluctuations in steady flight
Updated gear cooling factor when retracted
Fixed crash when changing SEC F-PLN
Fixed another three different crashes
Changed default SELCAL to “-.-” if fnx_selcal_code is not provided or empty
Improved EGT rise threshold for no light detection
Fixed EPR not being visible when FADEC is powered
Added curve to brake input
Added queueing for CIDS sign audio
Fixed AP aggressiveness when engaging G/S
Removed some unnecessary logging
Fixed ground spoilers bumping up slightly upon retracting
Fixed diving below VPATH
Added rudder damping (controllable via EFB)
Fixed VNAV error causing VPATH jumping
Fixed AT wobbling slightly when engaging open climb
Improved FBW pitch behaviour

[DISPLAYS]

Fix left/right arrows rendering off screen on AOC FUNCTION page
Fixed ND: SPD Lim symbol EIS1 style
Fixed ECAM SD ELEC page- BATT wont show OFF
Fixed BATT label when off
Fixed V1 and Vr symbol overlay logic incorrect
Fixed PFD missing yellow middle marker when LS pb off.
Fixed flight path (including waypoints, restrictions, …) should be on top of arc – overlay issue
Fixed ECAM: The red part of the outflow valve in a location should be in amber
Fixed ND – ADF2 offset.
Fixed ECAM Memo underline and box line too thin.
Fixed ND Navinfo Manual Marker line too thick.
Fixed ND – Unable to see VOR/ADF info while ADIRS are off, it should show even when those systems are failed.
Fix next waypoint info missing in ARC mode
Fix battery label on ECAM
Fix some crashes when using wizzard/Display Sync
Fix rectangle showing around XX EPR on EWD
Add PFD yaw bar
Resolved possible conflict with Nvidia Streamline
Added IDG LO PR/DISC
Enabled BUSS
Fixed RA threshold for turning green
Fixed MACH SEL overlapping with FMA line
Fixed alignment of upper row messages like “TA ONLY”
Fixed DC BATT not showing XX when off
Fixed GEN1/2 percentage colour when value is 0
Fixed alignment of ECAM memo text
Fixed NAV LS mode drawing
Fixed alignment of OFST and chrono element
Fixed nav info missing when IRS not aligned
Fixed ND range rings when IRS not aligned
Fixed FPA showing 5 dashes instead of 3
Fixed ND aircraft symbol not showing at the correct layer
Fixed FMA fonts
Fixed FCTL FCDC 1+2 and SDAC 1+2 fail symbology
Fixed CPC 1+2 fail symbology
Fixed missing “ANTI ICE” on BLEED page
Fixed alignment of “ALT SEL” text on lower ECAM
Fixed missing “XX” in COND page during SDAC 1+2 fail
Fixed EMER GEN frequency and voltage values, adjusted alignments
Fixed MAN and SYS 2 overlap
Fixed some colours for ND VOR info
Fixed FD/FPV and birdie drawing order and symbology
Fixed missing VOR1/VOR2 red symbology when failed in ROSE VOR mode
Corrected FCU minimum brightness to still have digits visible
Added EPR N1 mode (WIP)
Fixed FCU brightness visible when no power
Fixed speed tape left yellow mark cut off
Fixed PFD check alt
Fixed TCAS amber message on PFD and ND
Minor adjustment of TCAS flag on PFD

[ART & SOUND]

Switched over to V2 artwork and sounds – highlights:
Completely rebuilt exterior model and textures, for higher detail and accuracy
Completely rebuilt cabin to feature more modern fixtures and better detailing
Reduced VRAM usage and drawcalls
Improved cockpit window modelling
Remapped entire cockpit for more efficient texture and memory usage
Improved wingflex
New CFM and IAE soundsets
Added shadow-casting lights
Realistic engine spinner blur with accurate phase-shifting
Added multiple SatCom antenna options
Improved cockpit integral lighting
New LCD simulation for the displays (more realistic at night)

[EFB]

Switched over to EFB V2
Made significantly more responsive
External EFB optimised for more screen sizes
Added external MCDU accessible from web browser
Added AMDB charts from Navigraph
EFB data now uses Navigraph for Airports/Runways
Added new custom intersection functionality
Added send to MCDU functionality for TO perf and ZFW/ZFWCG/Block Fuel
Added ability to change backgrounds
Added keyboard Inputs
Added QRH in Documents
Added persistence in apps
Added a new failures app, moved from MCDU (bad UI) to EFB (good UI), filter by armed failures and failed systems.