A321-A Still Un-answered Question

[b108]

There's absolutely no doubt that this question has been posted hundreds of times. But no one ever seems to get a solid, helpful, answer that actually ends up WORKING.

So without further ado, I introduce the age-old question:

How can you get the Default FSX A321 to stop flying so erratically when close to the ground or when taking off? Why is it so difficult to control? How can we fix this?

I have seen a few videos on youtube of people clicking on a few swithces in a certain order, and it fixed the A321 from being so, well for want of a better word, "stupid." I have tried these methods, and the aircraft is completely uncontrollable. Why Does it do this in the first place? I know it's got something to do with "Fly-By-Wire" technology, so I know several things about that. But I still don't understand why ift flies like that.

Most of all, I don't what that question answered as a first priority. The question I want answered FIRST is how to fix the aircraft and stop it from flying so uncontrollably.

Thanks for all those who will help to put this to a quick end by answering this question.

[FuturePilot]

Mine flies fine!

[Elroy13]

Are you approaching stall speeds on final?

[b108]

NO- I fly just normal, and this problem only occurs around 2,000 or below, and then it flies perfect, like nothing ever happened.

It just does this during takeoff and landing. When I'm at about 2,000, the aircraft still flies, but I constantly have to push up and pull down on the stick, because if I just push down and let off a little bit, the plane just continues to sharply bank nose down. So then I have to pull up. Once I ease off again, it just keeps going, up and up and it would stall if I didn't correct it. It even does this with the plane landing ILS via Autopilot.

It's the same thing during takeoff-I can't maintain a steady rate of climb. I'm just sitting there having to go up down up down up down with the yoke because... well... I don't know why. That's why I'm asking. Does that clarify?

[Alexander Colka]

Hi,
This is very easy, just disconnect the flying controls computers in the overhead panel. Press the switches located about half section in the left edge of the panel (assuming you are in VC). These are 3 switches under the title FTL CTL named ELAC 1, SEC 1 and FAC 1. Those try to mimic the fly by wire feature of this plane sadly bad modeled. When switched off the plane behaves similar to the stock 737-800. Hope this help.

[b108]

That's EXACTLY what I was looking for. I have tried this once already, however, and it DID NOT work. so I'll get back to you guys tomorrow and let everyone know how it went. Feel free to continue posting suggestions or information, though.

[Alexander Colka]

Very well,
Please post your findings. Additionally you may also try to edit the aircraft.cfg in the section "[airplane_geometry]" by changing the last line "fly_by_wire = 1" to "fly_by_wire = 0" or simply deleting that line.

Remember the FTL CTL switches turned on gives you that feel of massive nose inertia when you are approaching, when turned off, that feel goes away.

Good luck.

[Daube]

1- disable the flight computer (3 to 4 swithches on the overhead panel)
2- make sure the flight director switch is disabled
3- fly by the number.

[Flying Mouse]

The question I want answered FIRST is how to fix the aircraft and stop it from flying so uncontrollably.
.

I think that is the most simmers problem. They insist that there is something wrong with the plane and believe there is a "fix".

If you expect the Airbus to fly like a stock Boeing then I can assure you it wont happen as the Airbus's flight dynamics is much different.

Understanding the flight dynamics and control panel on this tube is important, you need to have the right buttons pushed to have her fly properly.

If you want to "fix" this plane you will have to change data in the .AIR file (I believe) but then again, it will look like an airbus but will not fly like one.

Hope someone with some programming insight could help you change the flight dynamics of the 321 to make it more suitable to your needs.

Goodluck  ;)

[Fr. Bill]

An AIRBUS is not a freaking BOEING!

It has a completely different control system, and can NOT be flown the same way.

If you insist on trying to fly an Airbus like you would a non-Fly-By-Wire aircraft, you'll continue to be frustrated.

To cure your frustration, I'd suggest actually reading the article in the Learning Center on how to fly the Airbus. You don't even need to have FSX loaded to read the instructions, you can load it directly into your web browser:

..\FSWeb\LearningCenter\Aircraft\FlightNotesAirbusA321.htm

[b108]

Fly By Wire technology is not supposed to endager lives, either. So when I cannot land the aircraft safely, then there is a problem. I highly doubt that an aircraft manufacturer would make an airplane that flies like this. Least of all, Airbus. So I believe that somehow FSX is sort of "Exaggerating" it in a way. But I need everyone to understand that I am not a retard and know that there is a difference between a Boeing and an Airbus. I know that Fly By Wire uses computers to "Continue movements after loss of pilot imput." But that's the problem. I'm not "letting go," I'm still controlling it. So I think that, in this regard, FSX is a little bit uneccesary in its flight characteristics.

I want to thank the couple of people who have actually helped me, and to not mention the several of you that haven't. I will return to this topic and post if the Characteristics were changes by clicking the switches on the overhead. Stay Tuned!

Thanks!

[Daube]

Upon landing, the only problem I had with the A321 is that it would go full throttle and nose up shortly before contact. Then I undestood that I was not performing the approach correctly, my speed and vertical speed were not correct.

They were good for a sim, but not good for the fly-by-wire system. Then I performed another style, much safer, much more distant from the limits, and it worked. That's why we said you have to learn to fly by the numbers, the real numbers, not your numbers. It's not to bugger you or anything, it's to explain you what's going on. You think there's a problem with the fly-by-wire, but in fact it's more like the fly-by-wire has a problem with your way of landing.

[Alexander Colka]

Hi b108 again,
How was your testing? did it work for you? I'm curious. When I don't want to simulate the FBW of this plane I disconnect the flight computer, it works for me, strange that didn't work for you. How about editing the aircraft.cfg? And yes I understand you with that bad modeled FBW, it's very difficult to land that plane by hand. Real Airbus fly a lot differnt from that with the sidestick. That's why I rather disconnect those computers.

[an-225]

Upon landing, the only problem I had with the A321 is that it would go full throttle and nose up shortly before contact. Then I undestood that I was not performing the approach correctly, my speed and vertical speed were not correct.

TO/GA lock has screwed up many of my short field approaches.

To the OP, FBW does not endanger lives, it is meant to preserve lives by overriding a careless pilot.

To turn OFF FBW means it will be impossible to fly, just as it is impossible to fly an F-117 or F-22 with no flight computers.

The only real differences I have noticed entail:

~ TO/GA lock
~ Loss of rudder authority above a certain altitude

Otherwise, its just a more stable airplane than a Boeing.

[tcco94]

Fly By Wire technology is not supposed to endager lives, either. So when I cannot land the aircraft safely, then there is a problem.

Your right its not, so you must learn how to fly it so you wont endanger those lives.

I agree with Bill on this one. Learn to fly it, its not as simple as those default Boeings.
Ive flown this A321 and had horrible problems with it. So I parked it and left it alone.  8-)