With the Fenix BFU, RNAV approaches are drastically different. In the past, with APR armed, once you hit the IAF, it would change to FINAL APP mode on the nav display. Now, the LS prompt flashes like it does for ILS approaches and managed mode goes into selected vs. I’m sure this is closer to real life ops, but curious what the correct procedure is now. I tried twice last night but couldn’t get the FINAL APP like I used to.

This behavior now matches the Thales FMGC logic Airbus uses, where FINAL APP needs clean config, managed path, and APPR armed before it becomes active.

You can think of it as almost like an LNAV/VNAV path on a Boeing — but Airbus style.

If FINAL APP does not engage, you must revert to a V/S approach using FPA manually and fly the descent path to minima visually .

 

Common Pitfalls might be:

Manually selecting altitude or V/S past the IAF will prevent FINAL APP from arming.

Not arming APPR before the FAF — this is now critical.

Using heading mode breaks NAV and thus the ability to enter FINAL APP.

Edited July 29, 2025Jul 29 by ha5mvo

This is super helpful, thank you. I think I’m selecting an altitude lower than my IAF and that’s what’s happening. This update is so impressive. I can’t believe I waited until 3-4 months to buy the Fenix. Best money I’ve ever spent in flight sim (besides Navigraph).

1 minute ago, Bdub22 said:

This is super helpful, thank you. I think I’m selecting an altitude lower than my IAF and that’s what’s happening. This update is so impressive. I can’t believe I waited until 3-4 months to buy the Fenix. Best money I’ve ever spent in flight sim (besides Navigraph).

I don't think that's it. In addition to pressing the APPR button on the FCU, make sure the approach phase is also activated in the perf section of the MCDU. If it does not happen automatically, do it manually.

Ah! This would be FLS - in Fenix, you can have either FLS or FINAL APP selected, this is because the FMS software we emulate at the time was a little more rudimentary than the latest standards, and so these two modes could no co-exist, airlines were forced to choose.

On later aircraft, they allow the coexistance of both FLS and FINAL APP - which means you can choose in the MCDU.

So, to fly an RNAV like you're used to, just make sure you've not got the FLS option selected in the EFB settings page! 

For more details on FLS and FINAL APP, see here, great article: https://safetyfirst.airbus.com/safely-flying-non-precision-instrument-approaches/

6 minutes ago, Aamir said:

Ah! This would be FLS - in Fenix, you can have either FLS or FINAL APP selected, this is because the FMS software we emulate at the time was a little more rudimentary than the latest standards, and so these two modes could no co-exist, airlines were forced to choose.

On later aircraft, they allow the coexistance of both FLS and FINAL APP - which means you can choose in the MCDU.

So, to fly an RNAV like you're used to, just make sure you've not got the FLS option selected in the EFB settings page! 

For more details on FLS and FINAL APP, see here, great article: https://safetyfirst.airbus.com/safely-flying-non-precision-instrument-approaches/

Good info.

Is FLS more common in Europe? I assume not many US airlines use it, as none that I know of use IAN on Boeing, either.

Edited July 29, 2025Jul 29 by RNAVV19R

4 hours ago, RNAVV19R said:

Good info.

Is FLS more common in Europe? I assume not many US airlines use it, as none that I know of use IAN on Boeing, either.

Fairly uncommon, but hey, it's an option so it's in there!