It’s been quiet for a long time about the FlightFactor A320U. But now there’s finally news! FlightFactor has made an announcement via a Facebook post about a comprehensive overhaul of the popular A320U add-on for X-Plane.

The team is working hard on a completely renewed version that is intended to be state-of-the-art both visually and technically. But how does this announcement compare to other A320 options for X-Plane?

Key points of the revision:

• New Aircraft Platform: The heart of the update is a completely new platform that should be extremely fast and able to simulate aircraft systems of any complexity. According to FlightFactor, the only limitation now is the simulator itself.
• Home Cockpit Integration: The new platform is specially designed for seamless integration with home cockpits and professional setups. Multi-monitor and network support as well as a high-speed communication protocol for external hardware are integrated.
• Visual Overhaul: The exterior of the A320U has been completely remodeled to meet modern visual standards. The interior is also being revised to eliminate previous weaknesses.
• New Features: FlightFactor promises a number of new features and improvements, including ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System), an advanced weather and terrain radar, and a fully functional set of Circuit Breakers.

Comparison with other A320 add-ons:

The market for A320 add-ons in X-Plane is not empty. The main competitors are:

Toliss A319 and A320: Toliss has made a name for itself with highly detailed and system-deep aircraft simulations. Their A319 and A320 are known for their accurate flight dynamics, realistic system simulation and user-friendly operation. They are often considered the gold standard for Airbus simulations in X-Plane.

• Advantages Toliss: High system depth, accurate flight dynamics, excellent support.
• Disadvantages Toliss: Could be not quite as modern in graphics as the revised FlightFactor A320U.

JarDesign A320: The JarDesign A320 was a popular option for a long time, but is now a bit outdated. Although it still has its fans, it can no longer keep up with the newer add-ons in terms of graphics and system depth.

• Advantages JarDesign: Cheaper price.
• Disadvantages JarDesign: Outdated graphics, lower system depth compared to Toliss and the upcoming FlightFactor A320U.

How will the FlightFactor A320U position itself?

The revised FlightFactor A320U seems to position itself as a mixture of visual splendor and system depth. The announcement of a new aircraft platform and the focus on home cockpit integration suggest that FlightFactor is trying to appeal to both casual gamers and hardcore simulators. The new features such as ACARS, weather radar and circuit breakers could set the A320U apart from the competition, provided they are well implemented.

What does that mean for X-Plane users?

The announcement from FlightFactor is good news for all X-Plane enthusiasts who are waiting for a high-quality and realistic A320 add-on. The comprehensive revision promises a significant improvement in terms of performance, realism and features. The competition between FlightFactor and Toliss could lead to a race for the best A320 simulation, which ultimately benefits the users.

When is the release expected?

FlightFactor has not yet announced an exact release date. It only says that it will be “months, not weeks”. So there is still a lot to do before the final product can be published.

Conclusion:

The FlightFactor A320U revision is a promising project that has the potential to raise the bar for aircraft add-ons in X-Plane. The comparison with other A320 add-ons shows that FlightFactor has to assert itself in a highly competitive market. It remains to be seen whether the A320U can ultimately keep up with the Toliss products. We remain curious and will report on further developments.