Panel History

Version 2.2 - March 2003

The main feature of this version is the new ND (Navigation Display). It replaces the RealCRT PFD that was not really looking like an Airbus ND, and that was shareware.
The new features of this panel are the following:

- The new ND itself provides many new features:
  - Rose, Arc and Plan displays, with VOR, ADF and ILS, just like in the real aircraft
  - Handling of the flight plan loaded into the GPS
  - Display of all the navaids (VOR, ILS, NDB, Intersections) around your aircraft
  - TCAS function: you can see all the traffic around your aircraft, and it will generate a TRAFFIC alert in case of a collision danger
  - Other information: wind speed and direction, next waypoint distance and ETA (Estimate Time of Arrival), chrono
- The new MCDU, including FMGC, provides new functions for flight management:
  - Flight plan management, using the flight plan loaded into the FS2002 GPS system. The FMGC indicates all the waypoints, the ETA for each waypoint, distance and heading between waypoints, etc...
  - Progression of the flight plan, while flying, indicates next waypoint, ETA and distance to destination
  - Navaid info, shows information about the departure and arrival airports: runway list (with orientation and length), available ILS (with course and frequency), ATIS frequency, elevation, etc...
  - Auto-tune feature, automatically tunes NAV1 to the correct ILS frequency of the destination airport
  - Automatic flight plan following, in combination with the FCU
  - Configuration of the Navigation Display

- Autoland. The autopilot will be able to land the aircraft and stop it on the runway automatically. It provides final approach following, flare, engine thrust reversers, automatic braking. This is useful for bad weather landings.
- Persistence management. Some panel-specific information are saved and restore by an internal system. Some other data that should be saved by FS2002 are saved and restored by this system. For example, if you leave the aircraft doors opened, they will be opened next time you load the aircraft.
- Keyboard shortcuts. Many actions are now accessible through keyboard shortcuts. This has been implemented to avoid switching from main view to pedestal view all the time.
- Vapor trails. This feature has been especially developed for the Project Airbus A320. Vapor trails automatically appear when the configuration of the aircraft accelerates the air and forms vapor.
- The FCU has been improved to work in combination with the flight plan following provided by the FMGC. Speed, altitude and heading can now be selected or managed, just like in the real aircraft.
- The PFD has been improved for more realism: ILS mode is now shown with scales and diamonds, Ground mode is implemented, FMA (Flight Mode Anunciator) is more realistic.
- Throttles: a sound can be heard when you move the throttle lever. This is to simulate the "hard points" that exist on the real aircraft for the predefined notches: IDLE, CL, FLEX and TOGA.
- Better priority management in the alerting system, and the Flight Controls page is automatically displayed for a few seconds when trims or spoilers move.
- New pages added on the SD (System Display): Cabin Pressure,
- The anti-aliasing feature has been used everywhere it was possible. This increases the graphic quality (especially for needles), but it can have an impact on the frame rate.
- Bug fix in the alpha-floor: a very annoying bug was corrected. It prevented you to select engines independently, and also prevented the use of the second door (Shift-E 2). This is now fixed, and you can open cargo doors on the Project Airbus A320!!

With the new PFD, ND and MCDU, the RealCRT gauges are not used any more. It means this version of the panels are 100% freeware.

Version 2.1 - November 2002

The main feature of this version is the new PFD (Primary Flight Display). It replaces the RealCRT PFD that was not really looking like an Airbus PFD. The new PFD is as close as possible from the real PFD found in Airbus aircrafts.
Some other new features appeared in this version:

- Improved night lighting
- Door status management
- Better visualization of flight controls
- Improved alerting system
- Bug fixes, especially to avoid abusive alerts
- Bug fixes in the Alpha-floor system

This panel still includes the RealCRT Navigation Display. It is only available for A320 and A330.

Version 2.0 - September 2002

(click on the image for more details)
This version is specific to FS2002. Based on version 1.0, it still uses RealCRT gauges for the PFD and the ND, and includes many new features:

- New panel layout: The panel is composed of 3 views: front view, pedestal and overhead panel. These view are accessed through the FS keys that allow you to look down (pedestal), look up (overhead) or look front (standard front view).
- Improved alerting system, which manages the new variables that appeared in FS2002 for aircraft system management (electricity, hydraulics, engines, ...).
- The SD (System Display) screen now shows the right page at the right time. In case of an alert, the corresponding page automatically pops up on this screen.
- Improved realism on the throttle management: the lever does not move when A/THR (auto-throttle) mode is engaged. The selected engine mode is displayed on the E/WD (Engine/Warning Display).
- New Audio Selector gauge
- New Transponder gauge, with a keyboard for easy code entry
- Overhaed panel includesmany controls: fuel pumps, light switches, electrical switches, ...
- Alpha-floor system, which protects the aircraft against dangerous situations. It limits bank angle and prevents stalls.
- New pages have been added on the SD: Hyfraulics, Doors, Wheel, Cruise.

This panel is available for twin-engine only: A320 and A330. The specific version for A340 will be released later.

Version 1.0 - April 2002

This FS2000 and FS2002 panel includes many new gauges especially developped for this panel, including:

- Engine/Warning Display, which provides an advanced alerting system
- Advanced System Display, with Page Selection
- Autopilot, similar to the A320 real FCU (Flight Control Unit), as far as FS2002 permits
- Smart standby instruments, with a standby altimeter that can have a different setting
- Throttle gauge, with moving trim wheels
- Radio set, with standby frequencies, and all the digits displayed

This panel includes the PFD and ND developed by Tony d'Ambrosio (RealCRT gauges). These gauges are shareware, it means you should pay for their use. They will work for a 20 minutes "trial period" and will stop working.

This panel is available for A320 and A330. A specific version has been developed for the 4-engine A340. Some parameters of these panels can be adjusted, so they can also be used for A318/319/321 and A380 aircrafts.