Simviation - review Project Airbus A 320

External View: This Airbus A320 has one of the most beautifully created exterior models available. Created using the GMAX design program, this plane is by far the best looking airliner that has been released. It has a very large collection of animated parts including moving flaps, rolling wheels, spinning turbines, several opening compartments, and much more. This plane comes with the Airbus House colors painted on it in a very realistic and detailed fashion. Once combined, this amazing model and great texturing makes the Airbus A320-100 an incredible plane and definitely worth downloading. Sounds: A common problem with add-on aircraft made for the Microsoft Flight Simulator series has been a lack of unique sound packs. Unfortunately, this plane is no different. The A320 uses the default sounds from the Boeing 737. Because of the similarity between these two planes, the default sound pack does not detract from the plane. Fortunately, there is an answer for those of you who want a unique and authentic sound pack. At www.flightsim.com there is a sound pack for this plane, made by Project Airbus, which has amazing quality. The only problem with the sound pack is that it is over 20MB in size; if you don't mind the wait I would recommend downloading it.

Panel : The panel for the A320 is good. It is very similar to the default B737-400 panel (if not identical) but either way, the panel looks nice. In my opinion, the true gem of this aircraft is the DVC (Dynamic Virtual Cockpit). By far, it is the best detailed DVC I have ever seen and provides a more than better alternative to the 2D panel.

Ground Handling: In my opinion, this plane is very pleasurable to handle on the ground. Although a little on the large side, the A320 is not difficult to taxi. If kept at low speeds it can execute fairly tight turns without any problem. The only problem I had taxing the plane was if I let it get going to fast it can be a trick to stop. Besides that, I had not problems taxing it.

Where Tested: Honolulu, Hawaii.

Landing Characteristics & Speed on final approach: As with most large aircraft, a long approach with minimal course corrections and a constant downward angle is recommended. This plane will touchdown comfortably at about 170 knots with flaps fully extended, but any faster makes it difficult to stop. Any ware from 155-170 knots is the best for landing this plane.

Takeoff Characteristics & approx Speed: This plane is very easy to take off and will begin to leave the ground at a surprisingly low speed. With flaps extended to about 50%, the nose will begin to lift off the ground at 120 knots with a gentile pull on the joystick. The rest of the plane will liftoff at about 145 knots and begin to slowly climb.

Notes: With all the great features included on this aircraft, one could easily forget about the flight characteristics. As expected, the Airbus is a little sluggish due to its size, but is very realistic and pleasant to fly.

Rating: 99% In my opinion one of the best airliners you can download!!!!

Other Remarks: There are other versions of this plane available. There is another painted in Air Canada colors here at Simviation and several others at flightsim.com. Unfortunately, there are no "repaints" for this plane because all the versions, although the same model, are only available as full aircraft. Basically, if you want more than one texture you must download the whole 6MB plane and combine the textures.

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