In the last couple of weeks, I have been considering a best buy for my fs9. I was thinking of Level D and FS GLOBAL 2010, still haven't decided, then this morning I downloaded PilotsEYE TV trailers from YT and I came up with a thought..In fs2004 golden age, Airbus addons have always been half baked.They got plenty of times to make a darn good one,but there has never been one even until developers are now rapidly turning to FSX and leaving hardcore fs9ers without a single airbus to be proud of.. although developers have good reasons for focusing on fsx instead.Unlike Boeing aircraft addons, why they haven't created a really good Airbus addon remains a timid mystery. Some said Airbus wouldn't be as open as Boeing to PMDG, but that's too exaggerating.There are options, but they aren't good enough for most hardcore airbus enthusiasts, just google and type "good airbus addons for fs9/fsx" or similar to that, scroll down a bit, you'll know what I mean.I don't like to say this but they (me too) seem to be expecting an Airbus addon with PMDG standard.. or maybe a bit of Level D...it's a bit childish I know yet this mindset is a temptation they (I) can't resist; imagine this, PMDG logo on A330's fuselage. We can easily encounter this kind of discussion, in PMDG General Forum. As a result, people desperately merged as it is a lot better than complaining.Here's what we've got until now (I may be wrong):FS9:Some options for fs9ers, despite the fact that most serious airbus enthusiasts still think they could have done better than that- Airsimmer A320 Family ( http://www.airsimmer.com/ )Review: http://www.avsim.com...immer/A320.htmThere are complaints here and there, I haven't tried it but it is quite discouraging. I may never buy it- Airliner XP - A320. ( http://www.airlinerx...creenshots.html )The package made for both FS9 and FSX. After it was announced in 2007, they seemed to be very "quiet", they were very tight lipped about what actually happened after the release (can someone please tell us why?). Simmers had been expecting that the addon would be amazing as it's "The Airbus You've been waiting for". it could've been what we are really expecting really.- Wilco Feelthere Airbus Evoultion A318 - 319 - 320 - 330 - 340 ( http://www.wilcopub....ution-vol1.html ) It is still the best airbus so far. (aw don't give me that look.... just a cent) Review: http://www.avsim.com...Wilco/Evo.html Available for both FSX and FS9.You might also want to take a look at this: http://emarciano.free.fr/En/index.htm >>> MCDU replacement. It modifies (fixes?) the default Wilco MCDU.Possible merge:Project Airbus exterior model + Wilco cockpit (without VC), this is the "how to": http://n.ethz.ch/~am.../DVA/PA2WF.pdf- Overland Airbus ( http://secure.simmar...s-edition.phtml )Disk 1 (Airbus): A300-600R, A319, A320, A321, A330-200/-300, A340-200/-300/-500/-600Disk 2 (Boeing): B737-700/-800/-900, B747-400, B767-300ER, B777-200/-200ER/-300/-300ER, MD-11.Review: http://www.avsim.com.../0706/WA/WA.htm- CLS Airbus. A 330 - 340 500/600 ( https://www.commerci...&pid=68&groep=1 )Review: http://www.avsim.com...6/A340/A340.htm- PSS Airbus. A320. (their website is no longer active) Review A320: http://www.avsim.com...buspro/pss.html Review A330: http://www.avsim.com...0/pssairbus.htmIf those are still not enough to satisfy your "airbus starvation", guess we, fs9ers, will never have what we have been expecting. There are also freeware airbus addons to consider, some of them have excellent exterior models.I don't know about FSX simmers, but they are pretty much the same.FSX:- Aerosoft Airbus X Extended version - A320-321. ( http://www.aerosoft....047562760,12065 ).Review: http://www.avsim.com...t/AirbusX.html- Simcheck Airbus - A300 ( http://secure.simmar...300b4-200.phtml )Review: http://www.avsim.com...check/A300.htm(Definitely not for FS9. Gosh I want this one badly !!)- FSLAB - A320 ( http://www.flightsim.../aircraft/a320/ ) For Flight Simulator X Only, as written on the front page of its site. Still on progress.My point is, time is running out before fs9 is completely abandoned and no adequate airbus addons have ever been made. (a bit harsh thou yet couldn't find better words, IMO, don't like it? sue me, LOL..............).Wilco Airbus is okay, it would be good if they put more efforts to polish what have been left undone. So Wilco is still an "okay" choice, it should be merged to make it "good", and Eric Marciano's MCDU will make it a better Wilco Airbus.I would be very very happy If I were wrong about this.Kind regards

http://www.pafs.wf/Project Airbus have created THE most realistic Airbus Models I have ever seen. They've created The entire A320 Series and an A380 - with the more recent releases even with FSX native models. The A380 even has a VC modelled.All the models have amazingly convincing flexing wings, exterior animations, details and so-on. The only thing they lack in are a panel and a sound set (but they can be found easily on the world wide interweb)They're freeware. Perhaps you should check them out. :(Edit: Some of the links you have provided aren't working (mainly the AVSIM Reviews) - Make sure there's no "." at the end of the link.

I agree a high fidelity Airbus family for FS9 would be most welcome, but I think the writing's on the wall for flagship FS9 products.

- Airliner XP - A320. (http://www.airlinerx...creenshots.html)The package made for both FS9 and FSX. After it was announced in 2007, they seemed to be very "quiet", they were very tight lipped about what actually happened after the release (can someone please tell us why?). Simmers had been expecting that the addon would be amazing as it's "The Airbus You've been waiting for". it could've been what we are really expecting really.

Airliner XP was perhaps the greatest ever FS disappointment for me. A high fidelity Airbus package created by collaboration of some of the most talented individuals on the FS9 scene.... alas it wasn't to be. From what I understand the 3D modeller (the guy who did the Flightzone sceneries, his name escapes me now) had some sort of personal issues or problems and the project ground to a halt. Lou Betti drifted away from the MSFS scene I believe in order to persue other things, and Jean-Luc/Reality XP haven't released anything new since the Garmin GNS WAAS stuff a few years ago.

http://www.pafs.wf/Project Airbus have created THE most realistic Airbus Models I have ever seen. They've created The entire A320 Series and an A380 - with the more recent releases even with FSX native models. The A380 even has a VC modelled.All the models have amazingly convincing flexing wings, exterior animations, details and so-on. The only thing they lack in are a panel and a sound set (but they can be found easily on the world wide interweb)They're freeware. Perhaps you should check them out. :(Edit: Some of the links you have provided aren't working (mainly the AVSIM Reviews) - Make sure there's no "." at the end of the link.

Thanks I will check them out. Does it have MCDU?Ok I have edited the links. You've been helpful, thanx again

I believe you dismiss the Airsimmer (basic) A320 a little bit quickly here. First and foremost, even though a number of people "complained" as you said, you need to make up your own mind by yourself and this without risk. Just buy it from Flight 1 and try it for one month, if you really dislike it uninstall and you get your money back. So where is the trick? There is none, I for one have been using it successfully and with a lot of pleasure whereas I really loathe the poor quality of the Feelthere Wilco series, it is by no way comparable to the quality of AirSimmer. Give it a try, all you risk is to be out of pocket of a few dollars/Euro for one month, but I am sure that if you are a serious simmer and have been able to put up with the shortcomings of the Wilco model, you will keep the Airsimmer A320 as one of your best addons for FS9. Should you be willing to wait a little bit more the Advanced version will - at long last - be completed giving us the best ever version of Airbus for FS9 and our hobby in general.

have been using it successfully and with a lot of pleasure whereas I really loathe the poor quality of the Feelthere Wilco series, it is by no way comparable to the quality of AirSimmer

True, true. Couldn't have said it better.The problem is bad opinions follow the shadows of their addressees.So while I am sure hesitaters miss a loooot, I can easily understand them.Enough said. :(

Looks and featurewise Airsimmer's A320 is without question the best A320 model inside/out for fs9 - period - beats PA by a country mile and then some, and the sounds are vastly superior to any I've tried over the years. As mentioned, it may be worth at least a shot being an F1 guaranteed product.

So while I am sure hesitaters miss a loooot, I can easily understand them.

I shifted over to FSX last fall, and before that I followed the Airsimmer project with great anticipation. Now, I for one do never make a fuss about projects, I dont bash people, and I most certainly do not seek to provoke or cause harm in any way. Today I came over a blog, which has a very obvious motivation, but that caught my attention due to, lets say, some interesting view points. This guy may just have been some over frustrated customer who got his feelings hurt, but still he does make a point:http://airsimmergangster.blogspot.com/Is this guy for real, or is he not trustworthy? If his accusations are true, they deserve to be checked out more, if not, its just a moronicattempt at revenge. Anyone have a clue to what this is? And before you go accusing me of anything, I`ll let you know that I only intend to understand what Airsimmer is all about. Afterreading many of the comments in here, I really want that aircraft, and if it turns out as good as PMDG (or pretty close: Better then Wilco at least) I`ll buy it no matter what mr airsimmergangster says.

- PSS Airbus. A320. (their website is no longer active) Review A320: http://www.avsim.com...buspro/pss.html Review A330: http://www.avsim.com...0/pssairbus.htm

The PSS Airbus packages are still available from Justflight.com They are sold as the "A320 Professional" which includes A319/A320/A321 and the "A340 Professional" which includes the A330/A340.While it is a bit difficult to find a whole bunch of new(er) livery repaints, and the PSS models aren't the latest and greatest, the package works well enough for me: smooooth performance with high frame rates and an MCDU model that is good enough for government work (it may not be 100% modeled, but it is sufficiently different than the standard Boeing FMC that it provides enough immersion that you know it isn't a Boeing...)

Looks and featurewise Airsimmer's A320..... beats PA by a country mile and then some,

I think you got a little carried away with mentioning those words in the same sentence.

The PSS Airbus packages are still available from Justflight.com They are sold as the "A320 Professional" which includes A319/A320/A321 and the "A340 Professional" which includes the A330/A340.While it is a bit difficult to find a whole bunch of new(er) livery repaints, and the PSS models aren't the latest and greatest, the package works well enough for me: smooooth performance with high frame rates and an MCDU model that is good enough for government work (it may not be 100% modeled, but it is sufficiently different than the standard Boeing FMC that it provides enough immersion that you know it isn't a Boeing...)

PSS Merged with PA and you have a ton of repaints.

So while I am sure hesitaters miss a loooot, I can easily understand them.Enough said. :(

And Imagine what they have missed from flight sim enthusiasts.I have to admit that I know very little about Airsimmer but in my opinion, the best review you can get is the majority of simmers opinions from time to time here or in other flight sim forums. Say, they have cleaned up the mess they made when it first came out, still I am hesitate to spend $50-100 (basic to advance edition), although the update has made it a better addon,what the most important is the addon itself which should be able to make a good first impression, not the update... update is free and it should be used to add some minor features or fix few errors and bugs... not to transform a unflyable aircraft to flyable.It doesn't take a genius to tell something is just not right.And they should take it as a challenge instead of comparing freeware addon with payware addon with that "a country mile" away scenario.

The PSS Airbus packages are still available from Justflight.com

Also from the PSS themselves, or rather their successor Black Box Simulations - check the old PSS forum

I think you got a little carried away with mentioning those words in the same sentence.

Not sure what you mean, but my statement stands - the Airsimmer visual model inside/out is the best by far for fs9. Modeling, lighting, animations etc

I only intend to understand what Airsimmer is all about. Afterreading many of the comments in here, I really want that aircraft, and if it turns out as good as PMDG (or pretty close: Better then Wilco at least)I`ll buy it no matter what mr airsimmergangster says.

Honestly with Airsimmer I put comparisons with other devs out of my head - no point. I think they have at least learned some things from the nuclear fallout of the past, like hiring a seriously committed and hands on support prime for one thing.They still work at glacial pace but as we said, it's an F1 product so your 40 bucks is safe, and the just released v1.4 update makes this a good time to at least try it on your setup. I count myself among those that are seeing more positive than negative right now, and fly it regularly.

It doesn't take a genius to tell something is just not right.

But it does take time to learn flying a complex airbus when you flew only PA with Ken Mitchell's panel or just exclusively boeings (even the complex ones) so far.I am not saying this products is free of bugs, as it is not yet. But as a longtime user and a regular (AirSimmer) suport forum reader and also contributor I can tell you one thing.There were (and still are) A LOT OF complaints which in the end turned out to be the result of people's lack of knowledge of the AB systems and flight techniques.Some time ago I was flying the mentioned Wilco buses. While I hated their look, I had no problems with mastering them and believed flying an airbus is as easy as pie. When it came to AirSimmer I was frustrated.Then I started studying SmartCockpit and the A32X FCOM, bought TOPCAT, and I learned more than anytime else in my flightsimming career. Now I have an unprecedented amount of pleasure in driving my AS A320.I am not AirSimmer's spokesman, so I would believe there is no need for me to defend my own simming pleasure.But as Mark suggested anyone who wants to have a REAL opinion on that product, should buy it, try hard for 29 days and in case they do not like it, just return it and get their money back.I don't think that's possible with Wilco or PSS, so maybe this is why once you buy them, you have to like them. :(

I firmly believe many simmers are underestimating the knowledge required to fly a complex jet.I see it daily, you háve to fly planes by the book, if you don't, weird things can and will happen.Do also note most if not all developers model a plane after its real counterpart,so some things labelled as bugs are often idiosyncrasies present in the real aircraft.Whilst they won't throw off trained flightcrew, they will throw of the average simmerand then the trouble starts.