Fenix Simulations has just released the highly anticipated Sharklets update for their Airbus A320 and A321 models. In a recent blog post, the developer provided an in-depth look at the changes introduced with the Sharklets update, including several technical upgrades across the product line. In addition to the new Sharklets, the update adds extra fuel tanks for the A321, enhanced aircraft lighting, and more.
Changelog
- Avionics and Systems
- Added custom wingflex simulation
- Added Additional Center Tank (ACT) support to A321, including ECAM SD FUEL adjustments, and updated FWC logic. Configurable via fnx_act_count in the aircraft.cfg of a livery (0, 1 or 2)
- Added LAF including the LAF INOP ECAM messages
- Updated Sharklet characteristic speed computation logic for FMGS vs. FAC data sourcing
- Added various FAC/SEC/ELAC updates
- Improved FAC weight estimation
- Added “CHECK WEIGHT” message
- Added sync between ACP volume knobs and the simulator (works for default ATC, but vPilot doesn’t currently read these simvars)
- Added ability for VOR/ILS/ADF idents to be heard
- Added new style ISIS displays. Forced on for Sharklets, but configurable per-livery for other types
- Added missing (but still INOP) STATUS/XLOAD menu item
- Added randomised boarding when using GSX
- Added “STOP RUDDER INPUT” trigger gates and activation logic to Sharklet aircraft (aircraft equipped with newer software standard)
- Improved auto-connection of jetways
- Improved EFOB predictions for climb and descent phase
- Improved error handling in certain situations (vaguely gestures)
- Updated weight calculations performed by FMGC and FAC for sharklets
- Updated F, S and O speed factors slightly for all variants
- Updated CI calculations for A319 & A321
- Updated CONFIG and MAINT menu locations to free up LSK 5R for other functions
- Fixed 12 different crashes based on Sentry reporting data. Thanks to everyone who has Auto Crash Reporting turned on in the App!
- Fixed walk-in gate handling during deboarding with GSX
- Fixed missing degrees character next to GND TEMP on INIT A
- Fixed GSX pushback being repeatedly called on arrival
- Fixed doors not opening fast enough when GSX stairs connected
- Fixed FWD cargo door closing and clipping into GSX equipment
- Fixed predictive GPS not working when the arrival runway is not known
- Fixed center tank jet pump flow indicators showing when the aircraft first loads
- Fixed VLS being higher than green dot
- Fixed CP2 not showing in loadsheets
- Fixed default squawk code not being 2000
- Fixed ailerons/spoilers moving at an incorrect speed when in ground mode
- Fixed outer to inner cell transfer valve showing on variants that do not have outer and inner cells in their fuel tanks
- Fixed ND’s being too dark in ROSE LS mode
- Fixed some sharklet elevator and trim data not being loaded
- Fixed incorrect VLS calculation on takeoff and go around
- Fixed incorrect VLS factors for A320
- Fixed VHF2 being set to receive in the simulator, even if it is not active in the aircraft
- Fixed ACP3 VHF1 REC light being lit even when the switch is inactive
- Fixed duplicate “AB” prefix being added to waypoints when doing DIR TO ABEAM multiple times
- Fixed MSFS package title for A319 & A321
- Fixed S speeds on A320
- Fixed AOC FLT INIT fields not having validation
- Fixed aircraft resetting when flying close to Null Island (0 lat, 0 lon)
- Fixed cabin lights turning off completely instead of dimming during takeoff/landing at night
- Fixed DIR TO not scrolling 3 waypoints at a time
- Fixed level TCAS target altitudes showing as +00 instead of -00
- Fixed ND showing the overfly symbol
- Fixed missing or invalid printers causing crashes
- Fixed doors not auto opening at GSX walk-in gates
- Fixed spoilers with limits not moving with the other non-limited spoilers
- Fixed incorrect MACTOW on the A320 preliminary loadsheet
- Fixed various CG and fuel loading discrepancies
- Fixed outer radio knob wrapping around frequency limits
- Fixed APU bleed switch not turning off when changing to the ready panel state
- Fixed S and F speeds showing when FAC is not powered
- Fixed some inconsistencies in jet pumps on the ECAM FUEL page
- Removed unused fnx_light_type configuration option. All WTF aircraft are now halogen, and all SL aircraft are now LED
- Art and Sound
- Added LED lights to all Sharklet aircraft (Beacon remains halogen)
- Added Additional Center Tanks (ACTs) to A321’s cargo hold and overhead panel
- Added new Audio Control Panel
- Added new ADIRS panel
- Added sound for “STOP RUDDER INPUT”
- Fixed jetways connecting to doors L2-L4
- Fixed artifacts on A321 IAE latches
- Fixed cabin emergency lights issues on 319
- Fixed incorrect colours on overhead emissive
- Fixed incorrect text on circuit breaker for OIL QTY / PRESS
- Fixed A321 cargo bay light switch panel decal
- Fixed HOT AIR button lighting strip missing
- Fixed THS ACTR LSSD breaker popped
- Fixed tiller animation
- Literally did not note that you added Sharklets at all so far you absolute spoons
- EFB
- Added auto-pinning of Navigraph charts based on the imported SimBrief route
- Added sharklet specific performance data for all current engine/airframe combinations
- Added dimming based on ambient light sensor (or, the approximation of it based on sun position)
- Added option to skip GSX refuelling when boarding and instant load fuel instead
- Added warning on arrival performance page when the input landing weight is higher than maximum landing weight – will see if we can add overweight landing calculation in future
- Added ACTs to preliminary loadsheet logic
- Added persistence of the packs setting in departure performance
- Improved departure performance calculations at high altitude airports
- Improved OFP display in the EFB, bookmarks are now shown on the left side
- Improved styling to make various components look more consistent
- Improved landing weight calculation to now use a single source of truth (the systems)
- Changed Web MCDU selection and removed L/R switching button taking too much space
- Fixed wind component showing incorrectly on arrival performance page for users with non-English PC languages
- Fixed issue that sometimes caused too much cargo to load
- Fixed EFB background flashing upon loading into the sim
- Fixed incorrect max landing weight being used
- Fixed overweight landing calculations not working
- Fixed infinite loop when unable to calculate landing performance
- Fixed landing weight always showing red when using lbs
- Fixed V-speeds being too low in rare cases
- Fixed dialog error styling
- Flight and Engine Models
- Added Sharklet flight models for A320 and A321
- Added new payload stations for ACT empty weight changes
- Improved ground effect / flare in the A321 WTF and rebalanced it against new SLs
- Fixed N1 FLX not being constrained to a minimum of N1 CLB
- Fixed bleed issue on CFM56-5B3
- Installer
- Added automatic syncing of camera configurations between aircraft. For example, on installing the A321 CFM SL if you don’t already have custom cameras, we’ll try copy your custom cameras from A321 IAE SL, then A321 CFM, then A321 IAE
- Some small bug fixes
