Jump to content

Aircraft Release : Airbus A320-271 Neo by Peter Hager


Stephen

Recommended Posts

a320_header-700px.jpg

Aircraft Release : Airbus A320-271 Neo by Peter Hager

 

In the highly competitive single-aisle twin engine market that is dominated by the Boeing 737 Series and Airbus's A320 Series. Both manufacturers very quickly created programmes around the next-generation of geared-turbofan (GTF) concepts from Pratt & Whitney and the LEAP-X engines from CFM International to keep those production lines running at full order books for some time long into in the coming future. Boeing Aircraft has created their designs around the MAX series and Airbus has called theirs the NEO, for "New Engine Option". Most people think that a NEO is a new design of aircraft when it is not. It is only the choice of the engine option and the required benefits of using up to date engine technology and the search for even more better fuel efficiency, and going hand in hand with a noise reduction of at least 50%. Actually we are talking of 20% less fuel burn per seat in the Airbus promotional material and sales pitches which would make any airline accountants eyes light up with sheer excitement.

 

Already both Boeing's MAX and Airbus's NEO programs are well advanced. But Boeing has the more difficult situation in fitting these new huge engines under the wings of a Boeing 737 because the aircraft sits far lower to the ground and the undercarriage will be needed to be lengthened to raise the aircraft higher, and that means going down to basic structure of the entire aircraft to do so. Airbus with their A320 Series does not have that fundamental problem and their A320neo development aircraft "F-WNEO" has already first flown from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport France on the 25th September 2014 powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines. The first delivery of a NEO version aircraft is due 4th quarter 2015 to Qatar Airways.

 

post-2-0-96159700-1421884510_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-20964500-1421884501_thumb.jpg

post-2-0-23174700-1421884548_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-03610300-1421884507_thumb.jpg

(Images Airbus S.A.S.2015)

 

Airbus A320-271 Neo by Peter Hager

 

There are at this point in time two A320neos available in X-Plane. JARDesigns excellent A320neo is actually not a NEO version at all but a CEO in "Current Engine Option" A320 in sharklet and winglet forms. But Peter Hager from Peter's Aircraft has released a complete NEO based on the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G prototype now doing the testing. The differences are startling in how big those GTF's really are...  they are simply huge for an aircraft this size.

 

post-2-0-05193000-1421883967_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-99617200-1421883970_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-36512700-1421884007_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-61805500-1421884033_thumb.jpg

 

Deveopment of the geared-turbofan (GTF) concepts have actually been around for a decade or so. The first GTF was the PW8000 which was essentially an upgrade of the existing Pratt & Whitney PW6000 that replaced the fan section with a gearing system and new single-stage fan. But it was not that successful at the time. So Pratt & Whitney then redesigned the engine technically from scratch. The new Geared Turbofan (GTF) programme was based around a newly designed core jointly developed with MTU Aero Engines of Germany. The German company provides the high-speed low-pressure turbine and various stages of the high-pressure compressor. GTF was renamed the PW1000G, and is the first in a new line of "PurePower" engines. Pratt & Whitney claims the PW1000G is 10% to 15% more fuel efficient than current engines used on regional jets and single-aisle jets, as well as being substantially quieter.

 

The engine is in the 24,000–35,000 lbf (110–160 kN) power range with an amazing 12:1 Bypass ratio. Fan Diamiter is 81 in (2.06 m) and the combuster has a Axial flow,1-stage geared fan, 2-3 stage LP (Low Pressure) and 8 stage HP (High Pressure) stages. The turbine consists of an Axial, 2-stage HP, 3-stage LP stages.

 

The engine was tested on the Pratt & Whitney Boeing 747SP, and the second phase of flight testing for the PW1000G was conducted on an Airbus A340-600. And the PW1100G engine successfully achieved FAA type certification on December 19, 2014.

 

post-2-0-85878500-1421897104_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-93751400-1421897107_thumb.jpg

post-2-0-85648500-1421897116_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-22658200-1421897137_thumb.jpg

post-2-0-02157000-1421897141_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-73338900-1421897144_thumb.jpg

 

The NEO version of the A320 Series is the seventh variant from Peter Hager. Peter has substantionally built up his A320 Series into two types of engine variants for the A320/A321 series in the CFM and IAE versions and with either winglets or sharklets. hopefully we will get the A321 variant with the NEO option and later the LEAP-X variants for both A320/A321 aircraft.

 

But this excellent PW1000G variant is very well designed and well completed...  really a perfect NEO design. You can't fault the work here and it is very much a direct copy of the real PW1000G on the test aircraft. Blade design is technically perfect and it sounds very much like the real engine (well on YouTube anyway). You only get the one testing house livery at this point in time because the aircraft is still not in service, but I can't wait to see the Jetstar aircraft for real and in X-Plane in service.

 

post-2-0-61232000-1421898144_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-39159800-1421898150_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-43792800-1421898173_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-21686500-1421898179_thumb.jpg

 

Up front in the office you wouldn't know the difference in what engine is hanging from the wings. I haven't tested the NEO against a standard A320 in the line of fuel consumption in various weights... but intend to do. I know Peter Hager is quite fastidious in making sure his aircraft are quite specific to their specifications, and so the numbers will bear out to be correct and in line with airbus specifications. But note that the aircraft is still only in its testing phase, numbers can change and will probably do so before the NEO enters service.

 

post-2-0-55480900-1421898915_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-15805300-1421898946_thumb.jpg

 

Peter Hager is still very much attached to his 2d flat cockpits, and here you have a pop-up of the MCDU (Mulifunction Control Display Unit) and lower pedestal area. Sometimes this is best way to set up the aircraft than by using the 3d cockpit, which has no pop-up displays.

 

post-2-0-11409100-1421899460_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-24814100-1421899465_thumb.jpg

 

You can still program the MCDU in the 3d virtual cockpit if you want to. It is not a full FMC (Flight Management Computer) like on JARDesign's A320neo but it is pretty close. You can use X-Plane's saved flightplans as well but there are no SID/STARS to use. Just make sure if you load in either a saved flightplan or create a route specificly that you press "Align IRS" key. If you don't do this the aircraft won't know its GPS position and the flightplan or the aircraft won't work (or fly) correctly.

 

post-2-0-51048700-1421899476_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-42556500-1421899509_thumb.jpg

 

You do have full prefs (Preferences) inputs (pages) for TAKE OFF - CLB - CRZ - DES - APPR phases, and all are excellent for setting up your flight perimeters. Flight plans are very easily set up (just point to point) and follow the X-Plane FMC laws, but in an Airbus layout. There is no PROG (Progress) button which I found annoying but it does show you on the bottom of the flightplan your distance to your destination.

 

post-2-0-72885300-1421899522_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-27468900-1421899553_thumb.jpg

 

Radio settings are in the MCDU and you can set VOR 1 and VOR 2 with the ILS in a separate left hand side box (the correct place). But make sure it is correctly set up with the ILS indent and it is showing up on the PFD (Primary Flight Display) left lower corner, because if it is not set correctly it does not work even if the Frequency is correct in the MCDU? There are very good communication radios set out behind the MCDU for basic COM settings, but you have to turn them on to set them.

 

post-2-0-99545800-1421901201_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-91968700-1421901207_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-14236000-1421901236_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-95181200-1421901259_thumb.jpg

 

In flying the A320neo it is not very different from your standard A320 bus. Its sounds different and there is slightly more power, but otherwise it is very much identical to the everyday cockpit routine. Peter's Aircraft A320 Series has been released for a while now so much of the systems and general bugs have been well sorted. The quality of the textures have improved as well and it looks quite grand. Only item I had issues with was the PFD and NAV displays were a little more buzzy than I would liked them to be and my RES settings were still set in the "Very High" setting and it looked more low key than it should do compared to the quality of the surrounding 3d cockpit. I'm not crazy about my Female First Officer either? Very plastic and not very authentic. Unless these person objects are well done like in the Carenado aircraft they take away more than what they deliver in a high-quality cockpit, and that is the case here...  I will probaby delete her in Plane-Maker.

 

post-2-0-04837900-1421904649_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-84465100-1421904652_thumb.jpg

 

I do like the idea of changing seat places by pressing the "Side Stick Priority" button, but it does not illuminate to say which side you are on unlike in the FlightFactor A350.

 

post-2-0-44041800-1421901264_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-70549000-1421901287_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-54898500-1421901290_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-13483100-1421901295_thumb.jpg

post-2-0-87088300-1421905131_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-11889900-1421905138_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-53303000-1421905169_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-69348500-1421905174_thumb.jpg

 

The aircraft is very Airbus and Peter's Aircraft (All A320/A321/A380) has the QPAC full fly-by-wire and Airbus laws as its central part and main control of the flight simulation...  Its the best and you feel it. But I did find on ther final circuit and into approach I needed to adjust the landing speed correctly as it was flying too slow in "Management " mode? 144kts at Flap 3 was giving me a stall position and I took control to adjust that, and from then on stayed in "selected" or manual mode till I had landed.

 

post-2-0-17358000-1421905928_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-55268300-1421905931_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-19077600-1421905944_thumb.jpgpost-2-0-09829800-1421905961_thumb.jpg

 

My route here was from LFBO Toulouse-Blagnac to LIRF Rome (Fiumicino) and then back to LFBO. On the ground you miss the extras that come common place now with aircraft of this stature. No opening doors or cargo holds, no stairs or even a GPU? There is no pushback option either. So most of the above have to be accessed by external plugins.

 

Summary : But that does not take away from how good these Airbus's now are from Peter Hager. They fly extremely well and the set up is hours shorter than the JARDesign A320. In time these NEO versions will be your main work horses and getting in early with this PW1000G version will set you up very nicely for the future. There is a good paintkit available from Peter's Aircraft, so you can make very highly detailed liveries ready as well. Peter Hager has also promised new liveries as the aircraft goes into service to reflect who and whom will fly the EIS (entry into service) NEO versions. If you already have have any of the current A320's from Peter Hager then the NEO is a great and easily adaptable transition as they fly almost identically and the only changes are in the sounds, fuel and weight conversions. It is a great introduction price as well to the Peter's A320 aircraft series.

Above all the quality has improved a long way since the first of these A320/A321 series was introduced and you notice that here. If you want to fly the future generation of aircraft, then here it is...  and very good it is as well.

 

For more information on Peter Hager's A320 Series then read X-Plane Reviews : 

 

post-2-0-78508600-1421908205.jpg

 

The Peter's Aircraft Airbus A320-271 Neo is now available from the New X-Plane.Org Store here : Airbus A320-271 Neo  and is priced at US$36.90

 

Installation : Download is 133.40mb that is unzipped to 278.80mb. Throttle System is highly recommended and you will need a minimum of 1gb graphic ram to fly this aircraft.

 

Requirements:

Windows Vista , 7 or 8 (32 or 64 bits) or MAC OS 10.7 (or higher) or Linux

X-Plane 10 .30+

4GB RAM/1Gb VRAM - 250MB available hard disk space

Joystick required and Throttle system recommended

 

ACF file, 3-D files, textures, engine & system sounds, cockpit, system programming and documentation: Peter Hager

Basic 3D model and textures of 3D cockpit: Alexander Emelyanov

AirbusFBW Plugin written by Torsten Liesk, QPAC, for Peters Aircraft

 

Developer Site: Peters Aircraft

 

Release notes by Stephen Dutton

 

22nd January 2015

 

Copyright©2015: X-Plane Reviews

 

Review System Specifications:

Computer System:     

- 2.66 Ghz Intel Core i5 iMac 27”

- 6 Gb 1067 Mhz DDR3

- ATI Radeon HD 6970M 2048 mb

- Seagate 256gb SSD 

Software:     

- Mac OS Yosemite 10.10.1

- X-Plane 10 Global ver 10.32 (final)

Addons

- Saitek x52 Pro system Joystick and Throttle

- Bose - Soundlink Mini

 

post-2-0-92683300-1421908228.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest SqrtOfNegOne

I didn't get any Documents with my version copy? How do you do that?

 

Since I buy directly from Peter Hager for his models, the confirmation email for the 271N also contained links for documentation and a paintkit.

 

The process is quite simple:

 

1.  Navigate to A320-NEO_PW_v6.4_XP10\Custom Avionics

2.  Open plane.txt with a text editor.

3.  Change 001 to 000

4.  Save

 

You will not see the copilot again.  B)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There has been no announcements for a full MCDU, So I doubt it very soon...

 

Make up your own SID/STARS? get a chart for either the Arrival or Departure (SID/STAR) that you like at the airports you require and then make up the route between them and insert it, It is not as hard as it sounds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 4 months later...

Steven can you go into moor detail of how to make you own sid star thanks

A SID/STAR on these FMC's (not a fully complete FMC like on the B777/B757) is just a short .fms flightplan with the SID or STAR fixes (waypoints) set out as dummy SID/STAR.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...