The folks at Fenix Simulations are starting to talk in-depth about their process and the work being done to bring out their follow-up Airbus A319 and A321 ceo releases. These aircraft variants are following their popular and well regarded A320 model and there’s plenty of excitement among enthusiasts in the community on the release of these. We’ve learned a bit more about the two models thanks to a new update from Fenix.

Subtle but extensive differences

When it comes to just adding an extra section of fuselage, throwing in some extra seats, accounting for the weight and balance and then rolling out the new airplane, it all seems rather straightforward compared to the miracle that happens every time one of these airplanes takes to the air. But the reality is that even between massively common types like the A319, A320 and A321 there are actually quite a few differences.

Different wings, different fuel systems, different panels in the cockpit, different warnings and types of warnings, different rules for the fly by wire system…. I think you get the picture. Fenix Simulations are the kind of developer that want to make sure they replicate the experience as precisely as possible with as much simulated fidelity as possible and so producing the A319 and A321 has taken a long time to do and after reading their developer blog I’m beginning to understand why.

I found one section in particular to be fascinating on which of the variants is proving more popular in testing.

For me personally, when we embarked on the A319 & A321, I was dead certain I’d pretty much exclusively fly the A321, and leave the A319 for the odd easyJet flight, but having spent a lot of time flying both now I must admit I was wrong. The A319 quietly became my favourite without even noticing. The louder engine noise in the cockpit, the ability to chuck it down in some seriously tight airports, and the ease of taxiing about with a bit more speed than perhaps I should without scrubbing the nosewheel as I’m liable to do in a heavy A321. I’m not the only one either, as we track our testers we noticed an immediate flock to the arguably more popular A321, then over time, a drift towards the A319 – there is a charm to it that’s difficult to describe until you’ve done a few sectors with it.

Dave from Fenix Simulations

Very interesting and I suspect that the A319’s charm may be similar to how many of us have enjoyed PMDG’s 737-600 model, the shortest 737NG series, sometimes over the more popular variants in the real world.

Those simulated and real world differences are all covered in the latest blog update from Fenix. They, of course, go into much more detail but suffice to say there’s a lot to look forward to on these aircraft when they release. Speaking of when, no real mention of that for now.

Read the full update right over here.