Default Airbus A321

[BrandonF]

Is it just me, or is the A321 really hard to control after takeoff. It is very maneuverable RIGHT after takeoff, but once it gets about 50 ft in the air, the rudder locks, and the plane is not very maneuverable what so ever. What are your thoughts on the jet? Is this kind of flight behavior realistic? Is there a fix available that makes the jet "flyable?"

[FuturePilot]

My thoughts: Addon planes are much better! Very realistic? I don't know... never flown one! 

[U4EA]

I thought it was just my noobian flyin' skill!

I flew it a long long time ago when I attempted the Paris Airshow mission........parked it and left it alone after a half-dozen or so tries.  Seems like it has the (un)responsiveness of a semi with a stuck (auto)throttle.

[BrandonF]

[quote]I thought it was just my noobian flyin' skill!

I flew it a long long time ago when I attempted the Paris Airshow mission........parked it and left it alone after a half-dozen or so tries.

[Daube]

Retarded ?
Don't you think there's something that you missed here ?
The default A321 included in FSX features a limited simulation of a fly-by-wire flight computer.
This computer, above a certain altitude (some feets, as you have recognized), starts reading the inputs of the pilot(s) and apply them to the flight control surfaces according to certain rules.

The purpose of this computer is to prevent the pilot from performing actions/manoevers that could endanger the plane. For example, when approaching, if you go below 150 knots, the computer will take control of the engine and set them to full throttle, to prevent any stall and force the pilot to regain altitude.

Not everything is correct in the way this computer is simulated in FSX, though. For example, if you pull your stick, the computer should raise the nose of the airplane to a fixed angle, and it should maintain this angle, so that the pilot doesn't need to make corrections. In FSX, the angle continues to increase, though, instead to staying at a certain value.

But overall, the Airbus is very challenging to fly, and rewarding as well. When you fly it, you have to respect the rules and numbers. In the end, I fly it more than the Boeing, even though I prefer the Boeing from an esthetic point of view (the Airbus A321 is ugly).

Last thing: you don't have any rudder because you don't need it. In case of cross win landing, the computer will give you back the rudder control shortly before touching the ground, so that you can get the aircraft in line with the runway during the flare.

And if you are tired of those constraints and you want to fly an Airbus just like a Boeing, you can deactivate the flight computer in the cockpit. The switches are above your head, on the right.  :-/

[Slotback]

Your vote choice was: What the **** is wrong with this thing?

You can turn off the FBW somehow, I forget how though.

The default A321 included in FSX features a limited simulation of a fly-by-wire flight computer.

Yes, only it isn't a very accurate simulation.

[Daube]

Your vote choice was: What the **** is wrong with this thing?

You can turn off the FBW somehow, I forget how though.

The default A321 included in FSX features a limited simulation of a fly-by-wire flight computer.

Yes, only it isn't a very accurate simulation.

Thus the "limited" in my sentence.

[Tech Diver]

Like most things, the more time you spend getting used to something the easier it gets. At first I found the Airbus difficult because I mainly fly a 737. However, after having flown the A321 for many hours I am completely used to it and can truely "feel" the plane. I have no problem switching between different commericial aircraft because I have learned their different "personalities". The key is not to fight it, but to accept the way it handles and work within those parameters.

Peter

[U4EA]

Is it just me, or is the A321 really hard to control after takeoff............

Geez!  I be reckonin' we's ain't smarter den da plane.

Double-dog darn!

[BrandonF]

the Airbus A321 is ugly.

I agree!  Don't even get me started on the A380, A318 & 319, and especially the A300ST Super Transporter. 

[BrandonF]

It's interesting to see the results.  I see there are currently 7 people who are "on the same boat" as me.

[Tomaz]

I tried a bit with this one a while ago but it was horrible. I think it was way overpowered, nose was dancing up and down,... not good. I'm still waiting for a good payware Airbus (with more system than default).

[Daube]

The default configuration of the Airbus is for an empty plane.
Once you configure the payload correctly for passengers and luggage, the plane doesn't seem overpowered anymore.

[EVVFCX]

overpowered? erm, isn't there a throttle, just throttle back 

Seriously, I didn't see a problem when i tried flying it and I've only just installed the fsx gold edition so working my way through what its got.

[Slotback]

Had a fly of it yesterday. Seems like they "simulated" FBW by just making the rate at which the control surfaces change deflection really low and disabled rudder. I find it harder to fly over the other aircraft which is the exact opposite of the intended effect of FBW - try landing with a single engine failure. It's not possible unless you're going really fast. Even with FBW disabled it flies completely different to the IFDG model, which is odd because they both simulate the same aircraft. Oh, and it sounds like a hair-dryer and the 3d model is out of proportion. Maybe I complain too much.

The default configuration of the Airbus is for an empty plane.

Default payload was 14,000 pounds for some reason...?