My Thoughts of the FBW Mod

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Hello fellow simmers! I wanted to start a topic with regards to the A320neo FBW mod and share my thoughts about it. I finally decided to download the mod earlier this week after the USA update broke the default A320. Until downloading the mod, I spent two weeks away from MFS2020 feeling pretty discouraged.

What you should understand about me is that I’ve never installed any mods or add ons ever in my life. I guess I’m just your basic flight simmer. Yes, I want realism, but I also don’t consider myself to be a hardcore simmer like many of you are, and great for all of you!

I had actually really been enjoying the default A320. I know a majority of you out there hate the default A320 with a passion and you absolutely love the FBW mod. For me though, I was growing very comfortable with the default A320 and honestly until the USA update, it worked great for me. Yes there were the minor bugs here and there, but everything had a workaround that still made it feel realistic enough.

Long story short, I bit the bullet and downloaded the FBW mod earlier this week. I know so many of you simmers out there love love love the FBW mod. Unfortunately, for me I didn’t feel like it was anything that much more spectacular. It had its own quirks and issues that the default A320 didn’t and to me that was very surprising since everyone told me about how much more realistic the FBW mod is compared to the default. With that said, here is a list of things I didn’t care for in the mod. Feel free to give your input about your FBE experience as I’m curious to hear.

  1. Landings in the FBW mod felt very floaty for me. I just deleted the mod and hopped back over into the default to compare. The default definitely felt different in a good way and I literally just had probably my best landing so far in the sim with the default. All of my landings using the mod were terrible. Also, slowing down was very tricky. One of my landings the other day I almost had to go around because it didn’t want to descend or bleed off airspeed leaving me high and basically nosediving into the runway. I never had this issue in the default A320, ever.

  2. Taxiing was a pain. I KNOW, I KNOW, IRL the A320 and most other airliners can begin rolling once the brakes are released without any thrust input. However, eventually some thrust is needed to get up to speed. In the mod, I never touched the throttle and I reached 30+ knots speed very quickly. Mind you, this was on a flat surface with no downslope. Taxiing always felt like a hassle as I had to ride my brakes while on the ground. I even tested adding full weight and it still taxiied like a runaway train. Again, taxiing in the default A320 felt smooth and actually more realistic.

  3. The AP still gave me trouble. Apparently a notable fix to the latest dev version was that the AP bug had been worked out. For me, it partially was. Every single time I engaged AP, it always banked left 30 degrees and then back to the right 30 degrees. Yes, it followed the FP well, but my default A320 never did that until the USA update. Again, I thought there were supposed to be no AP issues in the mod since everyone was excited about that being fixed. Again, I had the very latest dev version and it always did this. So for me, it still felt like the AP was broke. No plane I’ve ever been on banked 30 degrees left and right like a capsized ship.

  4. Lastly, the FBW mod took a toll on my FPS. I did everything to save my FPS after downloading the mod. I turned off the FO screens, lowered a lot of my graphics settings, turned down the cockpit refresh rate, etc. and it was still stutter city. This was even at smaller airports and cities, so trust me it’s not like I was flying into JFK or LAX to test this. My default A320 ran smooth as butter even with not settings in the medium-high range. I was not a fan of this at all. After hopping back over to the default A320, man I couldn’t get over how smooth it felt again. I had missed that. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t take the stutters and FPS drop anymore.

So basically I wasn’t a huge fan of the FBW mod. I gave it a try to say I did since everyone told me I’d never want to go back after, but it just wasn’t worth it to me personally. Looks like I’ll continue to be patient for a patch and update soon. Until then, it looks like I’ll be stepping away from MFS2020 for a little while longer. Again, curious to hear everyone else’s experience with the FBW mod. Was it worth it or not really?

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I think a lot of the reason people like the mod is because it’s just simply more accurate. From having more depth to the systems, more navigational options and more functionality in almost every area along with revamped textures, sounds and lighting. People may also be used to the systems from other sims and the Asobo version really just doesn’t cut it by comparison.

You also have to remember the mod is basically like a new aircraft. It will take some getting used to.

The default also has nasty quirks such as the artificial horizon on the PFD not being fixed and the wrong FMA’s.

However to respond to some of your points

I actually have to agree with you somewhat on this. I’ve pulled off some really nice landings (with more ease) in the default too. Not to say I haven’t in with the mod in but it takes some getting used to.

Couldn’t agree with you less here. Realism aside, the default to me feels like the gear is submerged in quicksand. Not sure how you don’t see how ridiculous and painful it is to need 40% N1 just to start rolling and make a sharp turn. This is a problem with a lot of aircraft in this sim I feel. With the mod it’s just a case of simply accelerate to 30 knots then slow to 10 and repeat.

The AP is still based on Asobo’s code so that shouldn’t really be a surprise. Don’t really think it’s fair to make a judgement based on that considering the state of the AP in the sim currently.

Again, gotta agree with you on this. The default A320 does feel very smooth FPS wise but in fairness it is comparatively a lesser product. FBW team did say they are hoping to optimise this further in the future. I believe it’s primarily due to the fact the pilot/first officer monitors are decoupled.

Ultimately it does depend on what you’re looking for. The A32NX mod is so uncannily like the actual aircraft now in terms of visual, sound and functionality it’s quite a thing to behold! I personally really like the VOR/DME functionality and MCDU changes such as the F/PLN page, distances ETAs and such. And those engines!!

If you’re happy with the bare bones of what just works with more FPS then there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what works for you.

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They are working at the lights and, at the next few weeks, maybe we will have the new update…about 75 new things fixed and created at FBW airplane. Lets check what is comming up

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I’m with you on this one… I can see that the FBW mod may not be for everyone. There’s quite a huge change, especially at the current stage when compared to the default aircraft.

@FearlessTiara18, I’m not a pilot, and the last flight sim I used was FSX back in 2006 and I haven’t flown any simulator ever since. So I only know some things about aviation, and I actually jumped back in to MSFS with a blank mind and learn everything from scratch.

So when I started flying the default A320, I thought it was fine. But that was because I don’t have anything to compare it to. So whatever it was delivered as default, I just accepted it and learn my ways to fly it.

But then the A32NX mod came in by the FlyByWire team. And again, I don’t know what I was expecting as I still don’t have anything to compare it to. But as soon as I download and install the stable version at the time, the changes was so huge, that things started to open up. functions that was previously inpoerative now working like the seat belt signs, the ding.

Then we have the MCDU, the multiple ECAM pages that’s now operating. I still don’t know what I’m looking at that time, but I already think it was cool to have. So the more updates they deliver and the more changes they implement, they are different yes… But I thrive in changing environment like that. It keeps me excited with what’s new and what’s different every single day.

I don’t disagree with what you said, different people have different reactions and experience dealing with the same thing. So I can understand why you would feel that way, and that’s allright. But for me, as soon as I download the stable version, then now I keep myself on my toes by using the development version and keeps it updated every day. I can’t bring myself to fly default aircraft anymore. I still don’t know what the real aircraft is suppose to be like, but I can already feel it’s better for me. And whatever changes it has that makes me have to relearn something new and adjust my flying style around it. That’s something I’m willing to do.

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Something I forgot to mention in my OP was that I did prefer the sounds compared to the default A320. I thought the default sounds were pretty good, but then I got the mod and the sounds were much more realistic. So yes, I did prefer the sounds. One other thing that bugged me about the mod was that at night it was virtually impossible to see the overhead panel. I basically had to hover my mouse arrow over it to find the buttons and switches. Eventually I found the knob to increase the panel brightness, but it was still very hard to see when night flying.

I agree with you that any new aircraft model will take some getting used to. I had the mod for a few days and I was starting to ease into it, but what was absolutely killing me with the mod was the toll it took on my fps. I just found that I couldn’t enjoy something that felt so stuttery when the default A320 was butter smooth, albeit much more vanilla and basic. Again, I agree 100% with you that it’s user preference when it comes to realism and smoothness/performance. And I should add that I have a brand new gaming PC with pretty decent specs. It has handled certain high graphics well, but for some reason it did not handle the mod well in terms of fps performance.

I’ve had many great landings in the default A320. At first, obviously I had some rough ones, but I eventually knew exactly when to flare and retard the throttle. Before the USA patch, I had some really smooth landings and the default A320 felt nice and not floaty like the mod.

I do have to agree with you about the taxiing when you say it feels like quicksand. Also, since the USA patch, it feels even more sluggish since I feel like they changed the thrust settings (which explains why it was so hard to climb above FL300). I actually brought this up a while back about how IRL, jets don’t need much to get rolling, but will eventually require some thrust, especially when turning. I’m no commercial pilot, but I’ve flown quite a bit so I know what it feels like. Like I said, in the mod for me it felt too fast and “loose.” I always felt like I was a runaway train taxiing. I would’ve preferred a bit more in the middle between the taxiing in the default and FBW A320.

I actually wasn’t aware that the AP was still based on Asobo’s code, so that explains that I suppose. I will add though that even back when I played FSX, I never had any issues with the AP compared to MFS2020 so far. I’m really hoping it get’s better soon!

And lastly, as for the FPS issue, that makes sense. Someone informed me to turn off the FO’s PFD’s which I did, but it made virtually no difference. Again, I think for me this is where I couldn’t stand it. Being so used to smooth performance FPS wise, seeing how stuttery the mod made it was simply unbearable for me and took all the realism out for me.

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When you say working at the light’s what do you mean? And yes, hopefully the new update will come soon!

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Yes, exactly, I think for some (like myself), it’s not for everyone, but that’s why I wanted to give it a shot.

I’m also no pilot and I too hadn’t played flight sim since the FSX days. I did some flight training in a 172 Skyhawk a few years ago, but that’s it. I definitely know enough about aviation, but definitely not everything there is to know an I’m certainly no expert. However, I know enough to enjoy the sim and make it feel realistic enough for me. I guess I just don’t need a “study level” aircraft to sim with.

In a way, I wish I was an A320 pilot IRL so that I would know what the aircraft truly feels like. As you said, I too have no idea. If they end up fixing the A320 soon in the next update, I’ll hop back over to that for the time being. If it still feels broken and the FBW mod improves, I’ll reconsider installing it again. I think having patience is key here to see what changes and developments are made going forward.

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Well everyone has a right to their opinion. I too never had smooth landings in the mod, it just ,after cutting to idle pitches down too much s d countering it with the flair makes it bounce

However, after the new version with Asobo fix it lands perfectly with no bounce. Hope it stays and wasn’t due to Asobo fix.

My only other issue, is work on Servos has rendered my hotkeys for Appr and auto brakes useless, but seems I am the ONLY human who uses keyboard hotkeys for those functions so no one else had a clue what I was babbling about. But points to the FBW dev who saw my posts and explained things to me. Try waiting for Asobo to respond. 10 Zendesk tickets, not one reply or fix.

Other than that, mod better in every way. The displays give much more information, which makes flying an airliner better and easier.

Btw your banking issue is definitely Asobonand not FBW, and probably due to your specific flightpsth and take off airport. Most of us don’t have this issue.

I tend to fly from JFK, I live in Brooklyn. I thinking flying out of large hubs is needed to see if a bug is really s bug or not, since many also fly out from these airports.

If you fly out of the Han SOlo airport on the death Star and get banking, you gotta go test in other airports. Sometimes it is just you lol.

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The mod is workinG ok for me I know FBW guys are improving all the time
hope they fix the take off perf page: it’s always set on FLEX/20° and cannot be changed so it means throttle has to be on FLEX and not TOGA for take off; I thought this depended on weather and runway length but no matter what the weather is it’s always the same setting in TAKE OFF PERF page

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Yeah, it seems that the AP issues are Asobo related since that’s what I was previously told. I wasn’t aware of that until now.

As far as the AP issues go, I know you encouraged flying to different airports and not smaller ones. I flew into KDEN, KDCA, KDFW, KIAH, and KSFO where I experienced the issues on every flight where it would bank left and then right again at 30 degrees when engaging AP. It happened on every flight no matter what airport or STAR or SID I used. At least it followed the FP though. So I feel like I tried out a handful or major airports where the issue occurred on every flight using the latest dev version.

Other than that, I did like the sounds of the mod. It definitely sounded more realistic than the default. However, I didn’t like how you couldn’t hear the famous Airbus PTU sound from the cockpit. I know, you can hear it from the wing view and you’re not supposed to hear it from the cockpit. However, I always enjoyed hearing it in the default A320 when I started the engines (even in the cockpit). Also, it seemed like the engine startup in the mod was too quick compared to the default. Yes, it sounded more realistic in the mod, but IRL the engine startup seems to take a little longer, which to me is more accurately represented in the default.

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Keep in mind that the mod is still in development. Currently, version 0.5 is shortly to be released so you could say that the mod is probably round about 50% done.

There are currently over 400 open bugs and issues on the list.

Maybe you’ll give it another try when it’s done.

However, the default A320 is supposed to provide a more casual experience of flying it. So, if you’re that type of simmer, the default aircraft is perfectly good for you.

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Yeah, I’ll definitely consider giving it another try later when it gets closer to being finished (or if they don’t fix the default A320 of course). Also, in my cases, hopefully if I ever get it again my FPS won’t take a hit and be stutters. I simply couldn’t take much more of that. Like I said, the default A320 is butter smooth on my pc even with some high settings.

But yeah, I feel like I am more of a casual simmer, so maybe the default is good enough for me. Now if they could just fix it!

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Keep in mind that the code is also not optimized. If you follow the development on Github closely you’ll notice that there are indeed ongoing optimizations here and there and I assume there will be also a major clean-up before release.

I also expect some further optimizations on Asobo’s side therefore my assumption is that we can’t tell now how everything will work out in the future. Fingers crossed.

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Did you guys use the stable version or the master version - or did you even use the one with custom fly-by-wire?

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I used the latest dev version.

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The 20° is always like that by default. But you can change it. Just type in 60 (or something else) in the scratch pad and click the button next to FLEX TO TEMP to store the new value. Then your take off will be configured to use FLEX.

But even so, your take off thrust will depend on your actual thrust lever. Even on FLEX, if you push the thrust to TOGA, then you’ll be taking off with TOGA thrust. Same goes the other way too. If you have 20 degrees and the upper ECAM shows TOGA, you can still take off using MCT mode as well and it’ll still be on MCT thrust.

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@FearlessTiara18, You know even for me I’m also a casual flight simmer. Even with the extensive more realistic feature the FBW mod brings, I don’t do the serious checklist that more study level simmers do.

In fact, I’ve made my own personal checklist that I always do to get myself up and running very quickly. Things like ADIRS, while I do set it to real, I find that I can do my expedited checklist and be finish within 10 minutes of setting up the MCDU, and ready for pushback. I don’t go through the entire checklist one by one. That just takes too long.

But even for you, you can change the ADIRS align time to instant, so when you start the flight, all you need is:

  1. Battery ON
  2. External Power ON.
  3. ADIRS to NAV. (Instantly align and ND active)
  4. APU master ON.
  5. APU Start.
  6. Switch all Fuel pumps On.
  7. Wait until APU available.
  8. Get clearance, and you’re ready for pushback and engine start.
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I prefer stable version

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Have you by any chance figured out if FLX/MCT actually does anything in the mod? I mean, sure, I can set it to the calculated value but I can’t spot the difference in thrust which, from my limited knowledge, should be lower on FLX/MCT than on TO/GA.
I really don’t see the difference as both settings seem to ramp up the engines close to max and I would often reach Vr after, like, half of TORA while my expectation was to reach it near the end of the runway due to reduced thrust.

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To me, the mod definitely feels more like what you can would expect from an Airbus in P3D let’s say the Aerosoft A320 in terms of flight model. Definitely not for everyone but for people who are used to the old sim platforms it feels a bit more like home.

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