FSX and today's PCs will NEVER be able to simulate an Airbus.No Wilco, no Aerosoft and nobody will be able to codify Airbus fly-by-wire systems, meaning a correct computerized flight-control system that overrides the pilots decisions when flying outside the correct performance limits.No one will release a product for PCs that simulates real FBW system based on flight-envelope protection coupled with computerized fuel management controls for economy cruise mode(s). Nobody will codify the millions of lines to simulate the data transmitted to the ECAM in real time. I am sorry to say that the Aerosoft bus is a beautiful empty shell and the Wilco bus flies like a 777.With the upcoming "Pro", or "Premium" or "Advanced" or "V2.0" versions, their Airbus will look like an Airbus, will smell like an Airbus but will have the taste of a Boeing.Just my 2 cts.

Hi David, and you are correct to make it work like a real Airbus, we would not pay 50-100 dollars, we would need several millions of dollars. But, for the love of aviation-- what we have-, is waht we love and enjoy....And of course this is what the community can afford. But, honestly considering the complexity that is involved in developing a product like this for flight simulations, I believe, PSS,Wilco, PMDG, and Leve D Sim, have each done a fabulous job considering the limitations.John

Just give me an FMS with sid/stars capabilities, navigraph updates, proper VC lighting day and night, and basic Airbus flight characteristics and I'll buy it.

FSX and today's PCs will NEVER be able to simulate an Airbus.

thank you for your tuppence. You make some strong, but interesting claims. There is no doubt that MSFS requires some kludges as the SDK has quirks and "vanilla" SDK approaches are limited (which is by the big-timers go around the SDK in secretive ways. However, since the specifications of the FBW system are at least 25 years old, there is nothing about the POWER of today's PC that is wanting. In fact, even if EADS has consistently updated the processors on the multiple-redundant systems on the Airbus A320 (and beyond), it is likely that they are low-power, low-heat, and low-current computers - these are easily matched by a contemporary desktop machine.Also, since EADS follows quite a few standards, and since this information is at least partially obtainable or reverse-engineer-able from the FCOMs, then we can produce reasonable reactions in the avionics/flight controls. Put another way, if the FBW and other magic in an Airbus are reacting to sensor data reading environmental stimulii - most these data is available in the MSFS simulation environment. It isn't perfect, but its pretty good.Lastly, on the topic of "never simulate." A simulation is an imitation of something real - an abstraction meant to convey the key cause/effect systems related to state changes in those systems. We represent the key characteristics that allow for believability and to model interactions with these systems. So, if we have accurate and valid source information (which is questionable in the case of Airbus) and we decide what key characteristics we'll focus on, we can have reasonable to quite high-fidelity simulations.

No Wilco, no Aerosoft and nobody will be able to codify Airbus fly-by-wire systems, meaning a correct computerized flight-control system that overrides the pilots decisions when flying outside the correct performance limits.

While it is true that the vendors you list won't likely pull it off, I'm not convinced that it can't be. At the right price-point, or the right ROI, it can be done. You might have to side-step key elements of FSX, but this has been demonstrated as a viable approach by others.

No one will release a product for PCs that simulates real FBW system based on flight-envelope protection coupled with computerized fuel management controls for economy cruise mode(s). Nobody will codify the millions of lines to simulate the data transmitted to the ECAM in real time.

I won't disagree with you on this point: I don't think anyone is going to do it either. However, I can't rule out that it can be done. Again, if these systems apply rules to data from various sensors, we can certainly write code to replicate/simulate this in FSX. What I'm not certain of is the degree to which you can get accurate information about how these sensors feed an ECAM in order to have any accuracy. What we can do is understand how failures and other indications work by reverse engineering from the FCOM.

I am sorry to say that the Aerosoft bus is a beautiful empty shell and the Wilco bus flies like a 777.With the upcoming "Pro", or "Premium" or "Advanced" or "V2.0" versions, their Airbus will look like an Airbus, will smell like an Airbus but will have the taste of a Boeing.

It's hard to predict, but I wouldn't bet against your assertion either.However, back on topic: I look forward to this new version, if and only if, it is purely the handiwork of Eric Marciano. In any case, the Airbus market is certainly wide-open, despite many false-starts, and it is true that the veneer of the Aerosoft version wears off quickly.I would not argue that procuring a decent 'bus for FSX has been elusive and is quite the achilles' heel. I certainly hope for the best in any new developments on that front. Clearly, with the common-cockpit approach, I would hope that someone would attempt the whole family soon. That'd be worth nearly any price of admission.

I hope they will fix the MCDU bugs.Constraints aren't recognized, calculation of T/C and T/D is totally crap and descending in managed mode is like driving in a rollercoaster.The Marciano update for me was like throwing my money out of the window, because there are only some minor cosmetic improvements.With a merge this update is totally useless because then the aircraft gives full thrust during taxi or reduces thrust during flight in outside view. :( There was also a topic about this problem some time ago here.

I am a real sick airbus.Does anybody knows something about the new comming wilco airbus series update??Please, tell us something... Any screenshot?Greetings....

Can't wait!!!

My System... UpgradedIntel 980x @ 4.544 GHz (133x34) Vcore 1.36875V with LLC Enabled | Asus P6T7 WS Supercomputer with Bios 0904| 12GB Corsair Dominator TR3X6G1600C8D 1600Mhz | 2 x XFX HD 5870 Crossfire 1000Mhz Core / 1300Mhz Memory Vcore 1.25V & Catalyst 10.12 driver | Intel 160GB X25M SSD FW v1.5 for W7 64bit | 2 x Intel 80GB X25M SSD RAID 0 FW v1.5 for FSX | 2 x 300GB WD Velociraptor RAID 0 for Games | 3 x 1TB WD Caviar Black for Storage | 3 x AcomData Samba USB 2.0/eSATA HDD Enclosure | Asus Essence STX | Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1800 | Pioneer BDR-205 Blu-ray Burner | Corsair Professional Series Gold AX1200 | Canon MX850 | Logitech Z-5500 5.1 THX (Toslink Cable) | Logitech G940 Flight System | Logitech G27 Racing Wheel | Logitech Illuminated Keyboard | Logitech Performance Mouse MX | Corsair Obsidian 800D | Hanns-G 28" HG281D | LG Flatron 23" E2350V | Sennheiser HD595 Headphone | Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset | TrackIR 5 Head Tracker | Roccaforte Ultimate Game Desk | APC Back-UPS RS 1500 LCD | Sonnet USB2-E Allegro 5-Port USB 2.0 PCIe Card | Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.Cooling (3 Loops)... UpgradedKoolance MB-ASP6T7WS | 2 x Koolance VID-AR587 | Koolance CPU-360 Rev1.1 | Koolance RP-450X2 Dual 5.25" Reservoir | 2 x Koolance PMP-450 Pump | XSPC Acrylic Dual 5.25" Bay Reservoir for Laing D5 | Switftech MCP655 Pump | Koolance Radiator Mounting Bracket | Koolance 1/2 ID 3/4 OD Fittings | 11 x Scythe Slip Stream SY1225SL12M 120mm Fan | 4 x Xigmatek XLF-F1253 120mm Fan | 2 x Xigmatek XLF-F1453 140mm Fan | Corsair Airflow 2 GTL | Koolance HX-CU1020V 3x120mm Radiator | Koolance HX-CU1020H 3x120mm Radiator | Feser X-Changer 120mm Xtreme Performance Radiator | PrimoChill PrimoFlex Pro LRT Clear Tubing 1/2" ID x 3/4" OD | Feser One F1 Cooling Fluid - UV Orange | Arctic Cooling MX-4 Ultra Premium Thermal Compound (CPU) | Gelid Solutions CG Extreme Thermal Compound (GPUs).Flight Simulator Gold Edition Software:UTX USA, Europe, Canada, Alaska | Ground Environment X North America, Europe | REX 2.0 & Overdrive | Active Sky Evolution | FS Global 2010 | Orbx PNW, PF, NR, AU SP3 | Ultimate Traffic II & UT2 Power Pack | SceneryTech Africa, Europe, South America, North America, Indo-Pacific, Asia | PMDG 747, MD11, JS41 | Wilco 737PIC, Airbus A380, Airbus Series 1 & 2, Embraer Regional Jets, Embraer E-Jets Series 1 & 2 | Flight1 C310R, Cessna Mustang, BN-2 Islander, Audio Environment, Airport Facilitator X, FS Panel Studio | Just Flight Robinson R44 | Carenado C152 II, C172N, C182Q, C182 RG, C185F & Bush, C206G, C208B, PA28, PA28RT, PA34, PA32R, F33A, M20J | RealAir Duke B60, Scout Package 2007 | Captain Sim 757 (200,300,F), 767 (200, 300, F), C130 X-perience, 727 (100 ,200, F) | FlyTampa Maarten Complete | LatinVFR Santiago Chile, Guatemala, Toncontin, Kingston, Montego Bay, San Jose CR | Taxi2Gate Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, Tijuana | Borisforero Quito X | Virtualcol Colombia Xtreme 2011 | Blueprint Maiquetia, Bogota, Lima, Ezeiza | Imagine Sim San Juan | TropicalSim 26 Airport FSX Bundle | Fly The Maddog Pro 2010 | Cera Bell 412 | Lotus Albatros L-39 | Iris Christen Eagle, Pro Series F16D, Diamond Twin Star | Qualitywings 757 | Nemeth Designs BO-105, EC-135, EC-120B, MD500E, MD902 | Aerosoft Cuzco X, Twin Otter X, Discus Glider X | FSUIPC 4.60a | FS Force 2 | Aivlasoft Electronic Flight Bag | FS Commander 9.0 | Navigraph nDAC 3 | TA Software Plan-G | Reality XP GNS 530 WAAS, GNS 430 WAAS, GNS WAAS Unlimited, Flightline T, Flightline N.

this is the longest FS sig. i have seen/read in 10+ years of visiting flight simulation forums and BBS.--

FSX and today's PCs will NEVER be able to simulate an Airbus.No Wilco, no Aerosoft and nobody will be able to codify Airbus fly-by-wire systems, meaning a correct computerized flight-control system that overrides the pilots decisions when flying outside the correct performance limits.No one will release a product for PCs that simulates real FBW system based on flight-envelope protection coupled with computerized fuel management controls for economy cruise mode(s). Nobody will codify the millions of lines to simulate the data transmitted to the ECAM in real time. I am sorry to say that the Aerosoft bus is a beautiful empty shell and the Wilco bus flies like a 777.With the upcoming "Pro", or "Premium" or "Advanced" or "V2.0" versions, their Airbus will look like an Airbus, will smell like an Airbus but will have the taste of a Boeing.Just my 2 cts.

Actually, the computers running the FCS and ADIRU on every Airbus are based on i386 processors, which are about 20 times as slow as the processor in nowadays modern home-PC. Wether FSX is a suitable platform is an interesting question, but PC performance capabilities certainly are in no way limiting FBW simulation.

VRS was able to simulate the fly-by-wire system of the F/A-18 using coding that is external of FSX, so it may be possible for an add-on manufacturer to do the same for an Airbus. From what I understand, control inputs in FSX are sent to the VRS FBW logic and then are sent back to FSX.

Actually, the computers running the FCS and ADIRU on every Airbus are based on i386 processors, which are about 20 times as slow as the processor in nowadays modern home-PC.

but the real airbus computer system isn't creating: weather, the plane, the air dynamics, the AI traffic, the ATC, the user interface, the sounds, the knobs, wheels, etc ...--

VRS was able to simulate the fly-by-wire system of the F/A-18 using coding that is external of FSX,

the game does have real limitations ... some are how FS controls a plane's behavior. see the over-long thread on 'the FS trim bug'.the other challenge is how many of the FBW sub-sub-sub-systems and sub-sub-sub-logics must be simulated?--

Can't wait!!!

Seriously.....you forgot to tel us if your using philiips screws or not and what colour. AVSIM should charge you for that signature (bandwith).

but the real airbus computer system isn't creating: weather, the plane, the air dynamics, the AI traffic, the ATC, the user interface, the sounds, the knobs, wheels, etc ...--the game does have real limitations ... some are how FS controls a plane's behavior. see the over-long thread on 'the FS trim bug'.the other challenge is how many of the FBW sub-sub-sub-systems and sub-sub-sub-logics must be simulated?--

Perhaps, that's the reason why few attempt to simulate an Airbus...Some try and after several tries, they withdraw. Others have tried a little (or lot) harder and have managed to get to an "acceptable" level.However, I must say this, as well, I think Wilco (and Feelthere), have done the best job so far in Airbus simulations... I fly my Airbuses 80% of the time (among PMDG 747, MD-11, Level D, Simlabs, and Aerosoft Airbus X), and I enjoy it alot. No. I am not a real Airbus pilot, nor have I ever been a PIC in a real Airbus, nor do I work for Airbus or it's affiliates. Annnnd, I do not get paid by any Airbus developer. Hummm, at this point it makes wana go to Airbus and collect some $$$$ :( I know everyone have their own favorite aircraft- from a Cessna to a Boeing, to the mighty and beautiful Airbuses. (alright enough, now you know which is my favorite). However, relaistically speaking (or writing), there are limitations from all fronts no matter where you see it from, starting wirh Billy's "wonderful" FSX...I say "wonderful" in quotations as an intention to expressing double-meaning.In-any-case, captians, enjoy what you have and what you can. The beauty here is that there are many options out there...So, my dear friends, feel free to crash as much as you'd like- it's your aircraft ! (I meant crash simulated aircraft; not your real a/c, nor your comp :)Have fun... You only live a few years !!!John

VRS was able to simulate the fly-by-wire system of the F/A-18 using coding that is external of FSX, so it may be possible for an add-on manufacturer to do the same for an Airbus. From what I understand, control inputs in FSX are sent to the VRS FBW logic and then are sent back to FSX.

Thank Microsoft for their excellent SimConnect, which made this and the highest quality products for FSX possible (also the honorably mentioned A2A Accu-Sim family). Dave.

FSX and today's PCs will NEVER be able to simulate an Airbus.No Wilco, no Aerosoft and nobody will be able to codify Airbus fly-by-wire systems, meaning a correct computerized flight-control system that overrides the pilots decisions when flying outside the correct performance limits.No one will release a product for PCs that simulates real FBW system based on flight-envelope protection coupled with computerized fuel management controls for economy cruise mode(s). Nobody will codify the millions of lines to simulate the data transmitted to the ECAM in real time. I am sorry to say that the Aerosoft bus is a beautiful empty shell and the Wilco bus flies like a 777.With the upcoming "Pro", or "Premium" or "Advanced" or "V2.0" versions, their Airbus will look like an Airbus, will smell like an Airbus but will have the taste of a Boeing.Just my 2 cts.

It all depends on the way the code is written. I wouldn't be that pessimistic, but I'd agree that it would be hard for developers to keep acceptable FPS rates. FSX isn't coded well, so that's a lot of a brake for add ons. If newer sims will make use of what modern processors offer, and if Intel's new Sandy Bridge platform is used, I'd be optimistic. Todays average computer hardware is much more capable than anything you can find in any real world aircraft or spacecraft. Where an Airbus needs 5 computers, you can do the same with only 1 or 2 cores of modern processors I bet. Provided the code is well written (assembler/machine language?).

It all depends on the way the code is written. I wouldn't be that pessimistic, but I'd agree that it would be hard for developers to keep acceptable FPS rates. FSX isn't coded well, so that's a lot of a brake for add ons. If newer sims will make use of what modern processors offer, and if Intel's new Sandy Bridge platform is used, I'd be optimistic. Todays average computer hardware is much more capable than anything you can find in any real world aircraft or spacecraft. Where an Airbus needs 5 computers, you can do the same with only 1 or 2 cores of modern processors I bet. Provided the code is well written (assembler/machine language?).

Hi Andreas,It *might* be possible to develop an airbus simulation for FSX, but I have my doubts. First of all the modern computer is running all sorts of other things in the background. The software computers in the A320 (and later models) are programmed specificly to do the FBW/ECAM/FWC etc. and they do it in real time in a dynamic envoinment. This is the main difference bewteen what has been done for FS and what Airbus does. Also consider that it has taken Airbus properbly a decade to develope and fine tune the FBW. All this said I am looking forward to Wilcos "Airbus revistited" and also to the FLS A320 series. Regards,Martin