The Airbus A320 started life in 1987 as Airbus’ third commercial aircraft venture designed as a short to medium-haul airliner to compete with the very popular Boeing 737. Through many iterations including the shorter A318/319 and larger A321, the Airbus A320 family became Airbus’ best-selling aircraft and in 2019, the A320 family became the highest-selling airliner of all time. In 2010, Airbus enlisted engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney and CFM to help the existing airframe increase its range, efficiency, and even speed without redesigning a completely new replacement. in 2016, the first Airbus A320 New Engine Option or NEO for short first flew for testing in 2014. Since then, over 2600 A320 NEOs have been delivered.
The two engine options that are available to the A320 NEO are the CFM Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion (LEAP) engine, an engine closely modelled on the GEnx engine that powers the Boeing 747-8 and Dreamliner, and the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G, initially designed for the Mitsubishi SpaceJet which was cancelled in 2008 and the Airbus A220. These engines operate at a higher pressure than their predecessors, use composite materials and are up to 75% quieter than previous engines making the experience for the passengers even better.
Having previously developed the A319 and A321 for X-Plane, ToLiss has finally completed the family by releasing the A320NEO. The release comes equipped with the standard of quality and depth you can expect from the seasoned developer with both PW1100G and LEAP 1A engines that have independent engine system modelling, an accurate model with a detailed cockpit along with animated seats, tray tables and windows, custom sounds courtesy of Turbine Sound Studios. ToLiss have included a plethora of custom-modelled Airbus systems including FlyByWire automation with support for alternate and direct law authority, custom FMGS, ADIRU, ECAM, fuel, hydraulic TCAS, and Weather and terrain radar systems.
The Airbus A320NEO also comes with other usability functions that allow virtual flying easier in the way of a CPDLC system that allows you to communicate when flying online, Electronic Flight Bag that supports Avitab maps and includes weight and balance configuration and computation, take-off and landing performance calculator and interactive checklists. Other functionality includes autosaving, the ability to save aircraft state and situation and load aircraft state from four different start-up conditions, custom animated ground services and more than 210 individual failure modes to make flying even more challenging.
ToLiss’ Airbus A320 NEO is now available for X-Plane 11(without rain effect) and X-Plane 12 and can be purchased from Aerosoft, the X-Plane Store and SimMarket for around the $90 (Excl. VAT) mark which is roughly £74/€84.
Feature List
- Complex and full FMGS
- ToLiss Fly-by-wire and autopilot module, with support for Alternate and Direct Law
- Control Surface hinge moment modelling allows the surfaces to float to the appropriate position after the loss of all actuators
- 210 failure modes available.
- Custom TCAS with resolution advisory function
- Terrain on ND and Weather radar available
- Brake temperature model
- Hydraulics model with proper hydraulic flow computation
- Custom engine systems model
- Detailed model of each ADIRU
- Quantitative bleed system modelling affecting engine fuel flow
- Electrical system simulation with correct bus reconfiguration and load distribution
- Fire detection simulation for engines and APU
- Custom radio navigation computations including backup RADNAV tuning through the RMPs
- Custom air conditioning model supporting high altitude operations
- Flight warning system with ECAM actions supporting numerous system failure scenarios
- Custom indicating system including DMC and SDAC simulation.
- Multifunctional runway lights or classic landing light configuration.
- Detailed 3D cockpit
- Animated tray tables, cockpit seats and side windows
- Animated ground services for refuelling, pushback and deicing as well as cargo baggage loaders
- 3d exterior model with PWG and LEAP engine
- Custom sounds from Turbine Sound Studios (TSS) included for all engines
- Integration of X-plane 12 native rain effects
- Useability features: including situational loading and saving, Autosave, Aircraft State Loading, Jump to waypoint, Electronic Flight Bag, CPDLC with print function, Interactive audio control panel,
