United A319 Aerosoft
Airbus A318/A319 Publisher: Aerosoft Review Author: Justin Cogo Suggested Price: $49.95 Introduction Aerosoft's Airbus A318/A319 package for FSX and Prepar3D is a marvelous combination of two similar aircraft of the Airbus family. Aerosoft has recreated these two airplanes with so many features, also included are tools to enhance the flying experience that on their own could stand as separate add-ons costing extra. Airbus The Airbus brand has become a leading name in aircraft manufacturers, competing directly against Boeing, which together are at the top of the market of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. The A318 and A319 which are a part of Airbus' A320 family, are narrow-body twin-engine airplanes which offer leading-edge technology resulting in higher efficiency and a wider-range of operating configurations. These two models are in use in a high capacity with many airlines, in some markets even out-numbering Boeing.
The image below shows the A318 and A319 in the upper-left as the smallest members of the A320 family: Airbus A318 Produced in 2002, the A318 is the smaller of the Airbus A318/A319 combo and the smallest of the Airbus A320 family. This can be seen in the above Airbus A32X Family picture. One big feature of this model is its smaller-size thus allowing lower takeoff weights and longer operating ranges, which allows it to operate on shorter runways and mountainous terrain. It is outfitted with a taller vertical stabilizer than the larger A319 to compensate for the reduced moment arm making side by side comparisons interesting. Because of the A318's smaller size and lower weight it has been certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency for steep approaches. This certification is typically given to smaller turboprop aircraft because they are configured better for steep approaches, and thus it is the largest aircraft certified for steep approaches. This certification has allowed it to operate out of difficult airports like the London City airport, which has a short runway, obstacles and noise abatement procedures.
Review: Aerosoft A318/A319. Our reviewer Justin Cogo really likes the Aerosoft Airbus A318/A319, declaring it the most detailed and realistic add-on he has ever used. The package lets you fly the smallest members of the Airbus family with FSX or Prepar3D and includes lots of nice features, like a copilot that can help you run checklists, a fuel computer and of course a realistic implementation of the Airbus cockpit.
This is one of the only twin-engine jets to operate out of the airport aside from smaller corporate jets, and like all other airplanes flying into and out of the airport, steep approaches/departures must be made. British Airways flies the A318 from London City to New York which is a first for this small of an aircraft. The flight makes a stop-over in Shannon, Ireland to refuel because flights out of London City must reduce their takeoff weight to accommodate the short runway and the airport's noise restrictions. Another interesting thing about the Shannon airport is that is U.S. Customs is located there, allowing passengers to clear U.S. Customs, thus avoiding having to clear customs once they reach the United States.
After this stopover, the flight continues on to New York where passengers arrive quickly without having to pass customs. An interesting fact about the Shannon airport is that it is the only airport outside of the Americas (Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean) to offer U.S.
Customs and Border Patrol pre-screening for travel to the United States. This prescreening clears travelers to the United States allowing them to avoid the required international arrival screening at U.S. Airports of entry like Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.
By having prescreening at this airport, Shannon, airlines can then travel to domestic airports within the U.S. Directly, having their passengers prescreened for travel, thus saving on time and costs. The A318's cockpit and aircraft systems are nearly identical to the rest of the Airbus A320 family so we can consider them the same as far as aircraft systems and cockpit. Airbus A319 The A319 is also a shortened version of the A320 like the A318, but slightly bigger. It was first produced in the 1980's when the A320 aircraft line was designed.
The A319 has a longer range than the A318 and its cockpit and systems are similar to the A318 as well as the rest of the A320 family. Ah ok, looking at the manual it didn't describe in detail the Terrain function but says that the terrain returns come from a 'stored database'. Nice to note!
I found that the terrain function was very realistic because of it showing the water and coastlines to better help navigating. Also to note out the Weather radar will pick up ground terrain as well. Because picking up weather returns and ground returns may be cluttering at low altitudes there is a button to de-clutter and remove the ground returns to only show weather. Very impressive functions!
Very good review. As a dedicated Boeing (.if it ain't I ain't going!) guy, I was glad that I had retired by the time my Alma Mater bought the side stick Airbuses.
But now ironically I feel like I might want to check out the 'dark side' and see just what the world of sidestick non-flying is all about. To what degree does this product accurately emulate the flying characteristics of the Airbus fly-by-wire implementation? Does it emulate the various lower and abnormal levels of flying, such as 'direct law'? For that matter, does any simulation of a sidestick Airbus delve that deeply into things? It is this aspect of the Airbus experience that I might be interested in trying out. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!
United A319 131 N803ua
Tony Vallillo. Very good review. As a dedicated Boeing (.if it ain't I ain't going!) guy, I was glad that I had retired by the time my Alma Mater bought the side stick Airbuses. But now ironically I feel like I might want to check out the 'dark side' and see just what the world of sidestick non-flying is all about.
To what degree does this product accurately emulate the flying characteristics of the Airbus fly-by-wire implementation? Does it emulate the various lower and abnormal levels of flying, such as 'direct law'? For that matter, does any simulation of a sidestick Airbus delve that deeply into things?
It is this aspect of the Airbus experience that I might be interested in trying out. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide! Tony VallilloNo probelm! Aerosoft says their Airbus is to be used '.as 99% of all flights are flown' and it does model 5 Laws including Direct Law.
At first glance I do feel like all this extra control might seen unnatural, but really they are good features that protect you when the aircraft is in abnormal situations. For instance when the aircraft is approaching a stall the throttles go into TOGA mode. The fly-by-wire implementation feels 100% accurate. Pitch, bank and yaw are limited to normal flight envelopes in normal law and some other nice fly-by-wire features are included that you may take advantage of a lot more often. One of these features that stands out is the logic that keeps the aircraft where you put it.
For instance when you change pitch or bank the aircraft will trim itself to maintain that pitch and bank, thus alleviating the pilot of having to adjust trim to maintain that attitude. This is another one of those features of the Airbus that reduces pilot workload! This Airbus package includes multiple Airbus fly-by-wire features if you are interested. I have been a Boeing fan for many years, as I just wasn't interested in the Airbus features because I was used to Boeing. Now after using these different features I'm finding them actually useful, with some of them even helping to prevent the aircraft from getting into hairy situations!
Aerosoft A318
Includes version 1.31 The Aerosoft Airbus products have always been highly focused on simulating the task of the Captain. The aircraft is nothing more than a `tool` for that, but to do a serious simulation of the task you need a seriously simulated aircraft. The Aerosoft A318/A319 contains all our latest developments and ideas. All the systems that are used in day to day flights are simulated with great attention to detail. This includes a Weather Radar that is a unique Aerosoft development and that is fully functional without the need for a specific weather add-on!
The Aerosoft Airbus A318/A319 contains many modules that are normally costly add-ons. For example we include a 100% working copy of FS2Crew RAAS (limited to our aircraft), a highly advanced semi-automated audio checklist, a co-pilot that assist you and a very complex audio environment. Features. Simulation of the Airbus A318 and A319 focused on the day to day operation of the aircraft from the left seat. Late model cockpit (with LCD and updated ADIRS).
Sublime modeling/texturing based on the latest technologies. Very easy on frame-rates. All lights created with the best technology which actually lights objects up. Dozens of non-standard animations, all with sound effects (sun screens, windows, tables, tiller, jump seat, standby compass, drooping flight surfaces etc).
All main doors and cargo hatches can be opened. Extensive options to show ground objects (cones, ground power etc) and to actually provide ground power. Included web server that allows you to access (and use) the MCDU via any web browser; ideal for tablet computers.
Many systems programmed in XML to allows users to change code. Extensive manuals, with highly detailed step-by-step document, Checklist and procedures also available in eBook format. Prepared for Airport Enhancement Services.
Fully compatible with GSX. SDK will be available, LINDA connectivity available. Add-in system that allows the aircraft to be extended with 3rd party applications (all using the right MCDU). Add-in View system: adds many pre-defined views for easy use, emulates 2D panel views.
United A319 First-class
Add-in Sound system: adds hundreds of background sounds to enhance the immersion. Add-in Checklist system: semi-automated audio checklists Systems. Fully custom Fly-by-Wire systems with flight envelope protection, stall protection, pitch and roll limiter, g-load limiter, over speed protection, Alpha Floor protection, auto trim. Very nice to manually fly. Fully custom autopilot systems, with full Cat III auto land, V/S, Managed CLB/DES, OP CLB/DES, heading and NAV modes. VNAV and LNAV included. FPA/TRK included.
Steep Approach possible on A318. Fully custom thrust computer systems (FADEC), throttle with detents, FLEX take-off. Full featured MCDU (can be controlled via web browser, for example on tablet computers), also, information can be inserted using the keyboard!. Flight plans supports SIDs, STARs, transitions, approaches, go-arounds, holds, Managed climbs and descent, constraints, and direct-to route editing. VOR tracking implemented, DME arcs supported. Comes with NavDataPro (LIDO) navigation database (AIRAC 1409) but backwards compatible with Navigraph. Includes current AIRAC Data at the time of release and this can be updated by the user at any moment.
Complete FS2Crew Runway Awareness and Advisory System included (a €30 value!). 14 ECAM pages included, showing relevant aircraft information. Full featured Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) with 25 hour storage capacity and external display program (data can be exchanged with FS Flight Keeper, and a visual display of your flight can be exported to view in Google Earth). Full featured ADIR`s system. Full featured TCAS system (including audio warnings) for AI Traffic, IVAO, VATSIM.
Full custom electrical bus system, with realistic battery run down and voltages. Navigation display with curved lines, de-cluttering, stopwatch, selected navaid, runway information, range change, mode change, stopwatch etc. Includes Terrain Display option. Fully functional Weather Radar with Manual and Multiscan.
Works with ANY weather add-on (and even without weather add-on) and reads the actual weather that is inserted in FSX. This is a unique development!.
Full custom fuel flow, avoiding standard FSX limitations. Full custom auto brakes with constant deceleration instead of constant brake pressure. Full featured loading and refueling module (interfaced with FSX) with advanced and simple mode.