I'm a long time Boeing fan. I own 767 PIC, Dreamfleet 737, PMDG 737, Captain Sim's 727. Now, after much thought, I think I'm ready to step in to the world of Airbus. But I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. I've never driven any Airbus before. I've heard that the systems 'logic' is completley different than that of Boeing planes. I'm considering A320 PIC and A320 Proffesional. Which should I get? I'm looking for the most accurate one. I hate dummy switches that don't do anything. What has been your experience with these two products?Any suggestion/comments are welcome. Thanks in advance.mike

If you are using FS9 then forget the A320PIC. The PSS Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330 and A340 work very well in FS9 and are great to fly. However I would recommend once you have got the PSS A319 and A321 changing to the iFDG model (from www.ifdg.net) and merging these two with the PSS panel. This gives more realistic flight dynamics.

You may want to go 2D when it comes to the A320... A320PIC is really unique in how it handles joysticks and Active Camera. You can't fly is the usual way in FS2k4 because they implemented new feature in FS2k2 that aren't Compatible with Microsoft's SDK. Once converted over to FS2k4 standard stuff like reverse throttle doesn't work like it should. You have work arounds for basic things like reverse throttle. I actually like A320PIC because every switch is modeled and you don't have a 2D panel. But the downsides outweigh the good. Another example of this plane's shortcomings is you'll have serious framerate problems unless you set 'gauge quality' to 'low'... Your gauge quality isn't affected but it's just extra steps like this that bog down an otherwise good representation of the Airbus...PSS A320... All I can say here is if it works on your system it's a great plane to have. I never got it to work correctly on mine... You don't get every switch modeled but it still can be fun to fly. In FS2k4 you don't have any of the cool features FS2k4 brings to the table with the A320 (Clickable VC, etc.), if you want those you'll have to purchase their A330/340. At this point the PSS option is the best going for A320's in FS2k4. Hopefully someone designs an FS2k4 version of the Airbus on the level of PMDG's 737NG...

Yes, the pss a320 panel with ifdg a320 works like a treat. Also a nice soundset by pss tops it off very well :-)

I merged the full range of PSS panels with the iFDG A319, 320 and 321 and the Posky A330 and A340. In a word superb! There are a few tweaks needed to make the merges work, but there's plenty of posts around with that info.The PSS panels are very stable in FS9 and work really well. I prefer not using the VC as you save a lot of frames that way.Lee

Hey!!...great advice. I took a look at PSS's site and that looks very promising. As for the A320 PIC, I won't be purchasing it with the types of issues described above.What about A320 Professional??..it is $49.95. Anyone have it/use it? What do you think? The description of it is exactly like how PSS described thier's...I found that funny, is A320 Pro a PSS product?Thanks!Mike

Same product... One's downloadable and one comes with everything in a CD package...

Ahh....ok, thanks.Mike

Just curious if any of these merges if the fly by wire is simulated perfectly

I probably get flamed for this, but if you expect an Airbus on the level of PMDGs 737 or 767PIC, then forget about it. No Airbus FMGS/MCDU implementation comes even close to these two when it comes to details. Additionally you get either an Autopilot that very poorly deals with the plane (PSS) or an Autopilot with hazardous failures in the approach phase (320PIC). Also forget advertisements about how realistic the FBW implementations are. They are not realistic at all. Example : The most simple FBW test : Establish certain vertical speed in 320/330/340. Then increase or decrease thrust. The Airbus shall only accelerate ot decelerate, but not change the VS. All Addons already fail with this.The result are products, that give you a good idea about the Airbus system logic, but not a good idea about THE Airbus flight experience. Of course, that's just my opinion.Some developers say a "realistic" Airbus in FS is not possible, some say it would be possible. Please note, I have put the word realistic in "..." !!So I say all this with high hopes someone really does an Airbus in future.Michael

Too right Michael.The same question was asked here:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=search

You would think it is possible to implement the FBW since PMDG did an awesome job implementing the CWS and works awesome.

Guys be careful on this issue because it can get heated... Most seem to feel the Airbuses we already have are good enough....If PSS put the effort into it they could do the job. Their Airbus design actually was great for it's time. If enough effort was put into 'THE Airbus flight experience' (meaning all the Systems, Fly-by-Wire, etc.) we could really have something on our hands here. PSS has the most experience with the Airbus in Flight Simulator so far...However, the group who did the Wilco model could revamp that design as well and we'd have something there that would be great and work properly in FS2k4/6. All that design needs is a ground up approach to an update that would leave all the great features it currently has but take away the FS2k2 clickable cockpit work arounds. Now that FS2k4 supports interactive VC

Actually, PSS did a nice job of simulating the auto throttle use on an airbus. Without going into great details you set your throttle at take off and literally don't touch it until you land. You do have to read the manual on that one. Fly-by-wire? I move my joystick to the left of me to simulate the "airbus" feel. Does that count?Lee:-)

I am having second thoughts on this Airbus business. But, I may go ahead and purchase a PSS bus anyways. I'll give it a lot of thought, I'm in no hurry.Thanks for all the comments/suggestions!Mike