I’ve seen a lot of videos of the new 737 and have followed the release closely. I’m curious if anyone can tell me if the FBW A32NX will ever reach the level of fidelity that PMDG has in their 737 or is that just not realistic? This is just curiosity, not at all meaning to be controversial. Thanks!
2 Likes
no, it will not reach that level
2 Likes
Why not exactly?
11 Likes
I absolutely think it can reach that level. Soon? No. It’s still a long way but the team has already come a long way already and proven what they’re able to do.
I hope the release of the Fenix wont discourage the devs but I think it could also motivate them even more 
4 Likes
We have absolutely been more motivated than ever 
30 Likes
Are you a FBW dev? If so, thank you.
5 Likes
I actually flew the 737 today and didn’t find it was “phenomenal” but I’m more of an airbus guy anyway… Will FBW get that fidelity? Definitely… But it’s a free project and peoples time with dozens and dozens of real airbus pilots helping out too. I prefer the FBW but the Fenix is coming out. The 737 cockpit also seems small. I’ve sat in many 737-800 in the uk when i was a fueller.
2 Likes
I would say of course the FBW can reach that level. It is already an impressive product as it stands. It sure raises the bar for both freeware and payware.
But then again, the 310 raised the bar for GA aircraft also!
3 Likes
PMDG have been creating aircraft for the last 20 years. It takes time to develop this skill. If you look at painters there are many but only a few become famous.
Enjoy the aircraft I know it will take time to fully understand it, but that is the fun in succeeding.
Enjoy
1 Like
So this is actually an FBW 320 question, not a PMDG 737 question… Nice marketing… 
Orbx would be proud
4 Likes
I need to hire somebody to write my forum post titles because I’m terrible at it. But you’re right, I’m wondering if FBW will reach the level of fidelity of PMDG. It actually sounds like the Fenix A320 will surpass PMDG in terms of features modeled. Can’t wait for that to release.
1 Like
I think you could say, in a way, that us being new to the scene means we may not think in the same way other devs do - experience is good but we have done things no one else has done before, and maybe we wouldn’t have done them if we already knew everything. Those things have often paid off very much.
You see - I think we are some of the first to develop a rigid body simulation for the hydraulics system, making something that isn’t simply a reproduction of hydraulic behaviours, but a full fledged physics runtime that creates effects based on physical principles and not magic. We have gotten down specific behaviours in LNAV that haven’t been shown in any other Airbus.
As I always say, of course, the plane is nowehre near complete - but hopefully what is already there can be a testament to how accurate the entire thing will be - and most of those systems mentioned are really only getting started.
What i think people miss, often, is that you shouldn’t look at it for an entire finished package - but rather a project that has already shown it can simulate things very very precisely - what you just have to decide to believe in, or not, is us expanding that accuracy to all other systems.
And I think when that comes together, everyone will realize just how special this plane will be.
29 Likes
Topic title was edited to represent topics content more appropriately.
Having now flown both planes i have to say i prefer the A32NX in some ways already. It’s true the PMDG 737 is very good and i am glad i purchased it.
The planes both exhibit the vast differences between the Boeing and Airbus concepts so i believe we should have both…not one or the other.
Considering the A32NX is free this is amazing.
11 Likes
As an example: Check out DME Arc approaches in the FBW and other planes. Yet no one was able to model these accurately.
As more and more airliners come out, I’m more and more impressed on what our devs are doing. 
11 Likes
Of course the Fenix Airbus will have the same fidelity. There are already videos on Youtube showing all the hyper-detailled electric, hydraulic, and other systems, superb simulated air conditioning, endless amounts of failures possible, a full aray of functional circuit-breakers (the 737 doesn´t have this feature).
And there will be a lot of surprises and interesting sub-menues on the TFT screens.
But will the Fenix Airbus show off glowing brakes on more rough landings and a functional weather radar hehehe … just kidding.
But the optional HUD or eyebrow window feature with full panorama window view will make the 737 always a little bit more interesting while sitting inside the cockpit.
Oh wait this topic is about the FBW Airbus… well ehm… I think modifying an existent airplane has it´s limits (because it started as a simple plane and a programming code script cannot endless be extended to implement new features) so the short answer is: No.
3 Likes
What PMDG have done, and I’m a bit baffled by it, is achieve the best and smoothest FPS of any aircraft I’ve yet experienced in the sim.
Given the 737’s complexity I don’t know how they’ve done it, but it is better than even GA aircraft.
That is something I’d love to see the 320NX team work on, as it can be pretty demanding by comparison at times.
FWIW I think the NX team are fantastic and they are clearly able to do whatever they wish. I’ll bet the only thing holding them back is time. In a number of areas the NX is already streets ahead of the 737, particularly with the way it is integrated into the FS2020 architecture.
Lets just be glad we have them both in the sim.
4 Likes
The FBW has become a standalone airplane a long time ago.
1 Like
FBW taught me there was more than PMDG. Literally to the point I see absolutely no need in buying the 737-700, I can wait for the 738 and maybe even wait for the MAX. For the FBW being free you also get amazing support.
4 Likes
I think a finished plane (study level) is better. One often asks oneself with freeware: “Is it my fault now why this doesn’t work or is it a bug or a missing function?”. This is sometimes frustrating. In a finished aircraft, 99% of the time the error is in front of the monitor. That’s why I think the 737-700 is better at the moment…it’s more fun and I’ll get the Fenix too.
3 Likes