My passion for the modern Airbuses started many Moons ago in MSFS... I had the PSS, the Airsimer, the Wilco, then the Aerosoft AXE, and was looking forward for the FSLabs...

 

When I changed to X-Plane 10, I had to get a good bus too :-)

 

I now have 3 of them :-)

 

I am glad that they're all replicas of different aircraft models IRL, the NEO, the 321 with CFM 56 and the 320 with IAE.

 

I's really difficult to choose just one.

 

1) They all are in constant development, not  finished/final release versions, the authors are, even if at different
paces, releasing updates, and so, they can only get even better! The NEO is probably the one closer to final with the latest updates.

 

2) At present time they fall in two distinct categories in terms of visuals - two have only 2D cockpits, while one is natively 3D
although Peter models are going to receive a very nice looking free 3D cockpit any time soon, and the QPAC will take it's time, more time,
but also get the 3D cockpit version as a paid  upgrade.

 

3) The systems simulation depth varies and while both Peter's and the QPAC have limited functionalities in terms of MCDU, and FMGC,
not allowing for instance for the use of Airways, Holdings, not calculating step climbs, TOC and TOD, etc...

Of course I can't judge the accuracy with which the NEO does it's calculations...

 

4) Flying the 3 models is pretty similar between the QPAC and Peter's, the NEO feeling a little bit too heavy / unstable in pitch,
although the author is trying to fine tune it... Yaw authority ( rudder ) in approach phase during the transition from Flight
to Flare mode. The Airbus FCOM Part1 also states that rudder authority is max of 30º up to 140 KIAS, lowering to 3,4º at 380 KIAS,
but the range between this two speeds allows for rudder input and authority that are not well simulated in the NEO.

 

5) Additional features like services, a load / fuelling interface, etc, are present in the NEO, while in Peter's and the QPAC
you have to use the native X-Plane Aircraft Weight & Fuel menu.

I look forward for all of their upcoming versions, and meanwhile am really enjoying each one :-)

 

The NEO A320:

 

The QPAC A320 IAE:

 

Peter's A321 CFM:

I really like the NEO. It has tons of cool features! I've just finished my first quick look at Peter's A321. It really impressed me too, the external model is very detailed. The panel, although 2D, isn't that bad. But once the VC comes out it may be my new favourite

You're spot on, they aren't perfect. But they certainly have the potential to be.

I'll put my 2 cents in and say I picked up JAR's A320 and I love it. The others having such a limited MCDU and no 3DVC would be fine if it were XP9, but more is to be expected now. I was considering Peter's Airbus at first due to his highly touted flight dynamics, but there are some highly critical complaints on his development cycle time and some very long standing issues. For those new to XPX coming from a FSX heavy 3rd party arena, JAR's A320 has captured GSX/ FS2Crew /Fuel Planner and rolled them into one nice package. I've put down all my other new toys in XPX cause I'm having a blast taking her around the globe.

I am glad to own both, Peter's Airbus (A321 IAE) and the JARDesign A320 Neo. While I can't stop flying the A320 Neo for my VA all over Europe (with PFPX build flight plans), right now, I end every sim session with a few base training patterns at airports with demanding approaches (LPMA, LOWI, etc.) in Mr. Hager's superb A321. Flying these patterns with raw data is a very rewarding experience and I just love it! So, the true enthusiastic needs at least two of the three, the Airbus fanatic can never have enough of them, right? ;-)

So I just found out that I'm an Airbus fanatic. I need the third one. :-)

I just read about the coming plus and premium versions of the QPAC bus. And even the current basic v2 with its curved, correctly drawn lines on the ND and the ability to handle waypoint/bearing/distance entries, looks very appealing. I might become a fanatic, or even addict, too. ;-)

Yes, from the QPAC A320 IAE Manual:

 

 

"Apart from entering of waypoints by name you can also enter the waypoints by

Latitude/Longitude, or by Place/Bearing/Distance, e.g. HAM/310/13 stands for a waypoint

located 13NM from VOR Hamburg (HAM) in a direction of 310 degrees.

 

The syntax for Lat/Lon waypoint is DDMM.MX/DDDMM.MY with X being either N or S, and

Y being either W or E. A valid Lat/Lon waypoint is e.g. given by 5310.2N/01045.6E for

53degrees, 10.2 minutes north, and 10 degrees 45.6 minutes east. You can also skip the

decimals of the minutes, if not needed: 5310N/01045E gives the waypoint 53 degrees 10

minutes north and 10 degrees 45 minutes east.

 

Through the left LSK you can also define overflies: Just click on the overfly button and the

triangle will be displayed in the scratchpad. After that choose the desired left LSK and the

corresponding waypoint will be set as overfly waypoint. To delete the overfly flag, perform the

same action again!"

 

Yet another interesting feature of the QPAC:

 

"The QPAC A320 V2.0 is equipped with a “skip to next waypoint feature” in order to accelerate

the time in cruise for those users who have limited time.

The feature is accessible through the MCDU MENU/QPAC page under the following

conditions:

• The aircraft is in the cruise phase with the active autopilot modes being: ALT CRZ and

NAV.

• The aircraft is currently flying on a straight leg. Waypoint skipping is not available

during curvy legs."

Yes, from the QPAC A320 IAE Manual:

 

 

"Apart from entering of waypoints by name you can also enter the waypoints by

Latitude/Longitude, or by Place/Bearing/Distance, e.g. HAM/310/13 stands for a waypoint

located 13NM from VOR Hamburg (HAM) in a direction of 310 degrees.

 

The syntax for Lat/Lon waypoint is DDMM.MX/DDDMM.MY with X being either N or S, and

Y being either W or E. A valid Lat/Lon waypoint is e.g. given by 5310.2N/01045.6E for

53degrees, 10.2 minutes north, and 10 degrees 45.6 minutes east. You can also skip the

decimals of the minutes, if not needed: 5310N/01045E gives the waypoint 53 degrees 10

minutes north and 10 degrees 45 minutes east.

 

Through the left LSK you can also define overflies: Just click on the overfly button and the

triangle will be displayed in the scratchpad. After that choose the desired left LSK and the

corresponding waypoint will be set as overfly waypoint. To delete the overfly flag, perform the

same action again!"

 

Yet another interesting feature of the QPAC:

 

"The QPAC A320 V2.0 is equipped with a “skip to next waypoint feature” in order to accelerate

the time in cruise for those users who have limited time.

The feature is accessible through the MCDU MENU/QPAC page under the following

conditions:

• The aircraft is in the cruise phase with the active autopilot modes being: ALT CRZ and

NAV.

• The aircraft is currently flying on a straight leg. Waypoint skipping is not available

during curvy legs."

 

YES!

Count me in, I just took the last step! I am now a fanatic too! ;-)

jcomm, I couldn't help but notice that you have the weather radar indicating on your ND in Peter's aircraft. I can't seem to get it to display. I read the manual and it shows where to cut it on but mine isn't doing anything. I have XP set to use real weather. Thanks for any ideas.

jcomm, I couldn't help but notice that you have the weather radar indicating on your ND in Peter's aircraft. I can't seem to get it to display. I read the manual and it shows where to cut it on but mine isn't doing anything. I have XP set to use real weather. Thanks for any ideas.

Never mind......It looks like you can't turn it on unless you load the AC with the engines already running. Then, you can turn it off/on from the panel.

Yesterday, I finally got my stick set up. With the plugin Xassign (many thanks to uwespeed), all went flawlessly and was a matter of minutes. I also got another plugin called XPforce to create force feedback within XPX to get my Logitech G940 going. That was a breeze to set up also and so, I was up in the air in a short time. But what a difference it makes. While JARDesigns A320 Neo became much more stable and controllable in manual flight, the A320 by QPAC made my day! I did a few patterns at LPMA and it really feels so close to my experience in the full flight simulator, absolutely stunning. I set up a quite low centering force and friction for the stick, and it is a pure joy to fly the Busses in XPX like this! I already loved that setup in FSX, but in X Plane it is simply as real as it gets!

Never mind......It looks like you can't turn it on unless you load the AC with the engines already running. Then, you can turn it off/on from the panel.

 

 

Sorry, I didn't get to the forum in time to answer :-/ but you already found the solution :-)

Yesterday, I finally got my stick set up. With the plugin Xassign (many thanks to uwespeed), all went flawlessly and was a matter of minutes. I also got another plugin called XPforce to create force feedback within XPX to get my Logitech G940 going. That was a breeze to set up also and so, I was up in the air in a short time. But what a difference it makes. While JARDesigns A320 Neo became much more stable and controllable in manual flight, the A320 by QPAC made my day! I did a few patterns at LPMA and it really feels so close to my experience in the full flight simulator, absolutely stunning. I set up a quite low centering force and friction for the stick, and it is a pure joy to fly the Busses in XPX like this! I already loved that setup in FSX, but in X Plane it is simply as real as it gets!

 

Yes, of the 3 buses, I feel that the QPAC version is really closer to be "perfect" in terms of FBW.

 

Anyway, we can expect upgrades in all of them.

 

Following the QPAC support forum you might be interested to read this rather informative post:

 

http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=73469#entry792067

Sorry, I didn't get to the forum in time to answer :-/ but you already found the solution :-)

 

 

Yes, of the 3 buses, I feel that the QPAC version is really closer to be "perfect" in terms of FBW.

 

Anyway, we can expect upgrades in all of them.

 

Following the QPAC support forum you might be interested to read this rather informative post:

 

http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=73469#entry792067

 

I bought the QPAC yesterday, so I have the most recent version and I am enjoying it big time! The pop ups for the DUs are a really good feature. The look of the displays, the fonts and colours and the shown messages are very realistic. Only the Airsimmer came close to this in my opinion. That's where Peter's Airbus has its weakest point, but I think I read somewhere that the DUs get completely reworked for the 3D cockpit. The JARDesign isn't bad with its crisp display graphics. But the QPAC is the real deal!

And... for those of you who miss the "RETARD.. RETARD..." Aural, check here:

 

http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=73572

 

:-)

Just purchased the QPAC as well....is there room on the bus for one more fanatic?