Okay so after my less than satisfactory return to MSFS discovering the save/load falls over with the default 747 (see separate thread) thought I would try something a bit shorter.

Namely a quick flight from Cardiff to London City in an A320.

First problem was, on going to the flight planner neither the original default A320 or the FBW version appeared in the drop down list of aircraft. After going into my profile and doing a search of owned aircraft I was able to access the FBW one but not the default. (Which is handier if you just want a quick flight). So has the default A320 been retired in favour of the FBW or if not, how do I get it to re-appear in my list of selectable aircraft?

Then after setting a flight up with the FBW and resigning myself to several minutes of INS alignment and other tasks, I clicked fly now and... The blue line advanced across the screen and then, nothing. Just sat there with the loading screen and the tickertape messages repeating ad infinitum when eventually after 15 minutes I just got fed up and Alt-F4 to kill the programme. Not flying tonight, well not in MSFS anyway.

Apart from the fact it looks nice in VFR, I really am seriously considering uninstalling and deleting this potato of a programme. How could MS put their name to something so bad and let Asobo continue to get away with keeping it in this state?

Well the majority of us are not experiencing any of the issues you describe so I would suggest the problem is local to you and not entirely the fault of the "potato of a program". 

The default A320 has not been retired, have you tried moving the community folder and restarting the sim or simply updating the FBW A320? Sounds like something is incompatible with the version of the sim you are running. 

13 minutes ago, Elvensmith said:

Apart from the fact it looks nice in VFR, I really am seriously considering uninstalling and deleting this potato of a programme. How could MS put their name to something so bad and let Asobo continue to get away with keeping it in this state?

Really?  Has it occurred to you that if this were the case, hundreds of thousands of people would be irate and that possibly, JUST POSSIBLY, your problem lies on your side of the keyboard?

I suggest trying to find what is causing the issue - it is not MSFS. Try removing everything from the Community folder and see if you can load the flight.

I see your frustration but something else is interfering with the MSFS load. How about you post your specs and addons used etc and possibly someone might want to help.

@Rocketlaunch beat me to it.

Several points in your posts, all lead to recommending more patience and desire to learn this new platform, it does differ significantly from P3D and FSX:

3 minutes ago, Elvensmith said:

neither the original default A320 or the FBW version appeared in the drop down list of aircraft

Click on the airplane icon on the top left corner of the screen, then select your aircraft from the drop down list where it says Airliners, the Airliners page will open, you will find your two Airbus A320 standard AND FBW (the second does not delete the other)

8 minutes ago, Elvensmith said:

I clicked fly now and... The blue line advanced across the screen and then, nothing. Just sat there with the loading screen and the tickertape messages repeating ad infinitum

Your post is not in sequence, how can you start the A320 INS without having loaded your flight first "Fly Now"? The FBW A320 neo is a complex simulation and requires a long loading time. So be patient and wait until you get to the start screen with your airplane correctly loaded. What are our PC specifications? the lower the longer it will take.

6 minutes ago, Elvensmith said:

resigning myself to several minutes of INS alignment and other tasks,

You don't have to if you dislike it, simply select the FAST align for the INS in the settings in the EFB on the left hand side of your cockpit (click on the screen to start it).

We are all entitled to our opinions, I happen not to share yours on MSFS.

 

for people who are not willing to learn msfs is better not played.