Update 11:30z – We corrected the article where we misinterpreted some information surrounding ProSim’s involvement with the NEO family of planes. We wrongly stated that ProSim had no involvement and Fenix built the plane from the ground up, when in fact this was specific to the ECAM functionality.
FSElite profusely apologises for this error to the community and Fenix Simulations to the wrongful understanding of the original blog post.
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After a lengthy period of silence, Fenix Simultions has announced their 2025 roadmap, which included the announcement of the A320NEO. They also gave details on the BFU (Big Fenix Update), which includes plenty of love for the current series of Fenix aircraft.
A320NEO Family Announced
The picture above gives you an indication of the newly announced plane from Fenix Simulation. The team are building the A320NEO and the A321NEO for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The NEO simply wrote be the CEO with a few changes as the whole ECAM system has been rebuilt by Fenix (with no ProSim involvement in the ECAM functionality). To be even more specific, some things that didn’t exist in ProSim’s codebase like ROW and ROPS have been written by Fenix. Therefore, what is accurate is that both developers are supplying code and information to bring this plane to life.
They said, “We rewired the entire airplane. All of it. Every single sensor, valve, generator, pump, switch, button”, and the entire ECAM has been built to a “NEO” standard. Fenix has been through every system and function to correctly model everything that makes the NEO tick – this isn’t just a reskin of the A320 CEO, they said.
Both the LEAP and GTF engines will be fully modelled using XEM data and, when released, will be a fully standalone package (including both engine types and the A320/A321NEO types). There is no requirement to own the CEO family first.
The plan is to release the A320NEO family later this year, with plenty more details to come in the future. That said, Fenix confirmed that those who own both the NEO and CEO packages will be entitled to a free modernised CEO A320.
As the team took the time to rebuild the entire ECAM system for the NEO, they also decided to undertake the work for the A320CEO too. This will come as a free update, one day, for current CEO owners.
Fenix did acknowledge that they have said for the longest time that they would not be making the NEO planes, but they said that when they genuinely didn’t have it on their roadmap. Now armed with the right data and knowledge, they had a change of heart and will be bringing it to the market.
Big Fenix Update
In the next few weeks, Fenix is bringing out a Big Fenix Update (BFU, they’re calling it). This will include the A319 Sharklet edition, complete with a bespoke B7 hotrod motor. They also reworked their displays to support a weather radar.
Another area that the team has continued to work on is flare and ground effect. Following gathering data from 800,000 real-world flights, they have managed to plot that data on their new model. You can see the new touchdown stick deflection in action below. The chart and details can be read on the blog.
The EFB has also been given some love, with the ability to now use the MSFS 2024 Lido charts, improved V-Speed calculations and some other quality of life improvements.
The new update will also bring official compatibility for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, with a complete native version available. This includes the Modular SimObject system and converting the library of over 700 liveries. Furthermore, the walk-around mode is fully supported with the ability to open the cargo door and fueling hatches in a completely functional manner.
Finally, Aamir closed the post by confirming that across both simulator versions, there are a range of sound improvements. Including an entirely new 3D AEVC soundscape in the cockpit, and a completely rebuilt IAE V2500 soundset. There is also a new dynamic touchdown system which individually accounts for each wheel’s touchdown rate, and generates unique touchdown sounds accordingly.
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You can read the full post over on the Fenix blog, but more details will come as we get closer to the release of the Big Fenix Update and the NEO aircraft later this year.
