Flight dynamics have been modified based on official Airbus technical specifications and hours of testing. Many other updates and improvements. Original aircraft made by Project Airbus. Please see the Readme file.
Airbus A321 CFM Modification/Improvement
This is a freeware A321 CFM that I obtained from Simviation. The original model and AIR file was developed by Project Airbus. The VC was updated by Speedbird77.
Aircraft engine sounds are not included. There are good freeware Airbus CFM sounds made by Adam Murphy of Skyhigh Audio Simulations, as well as payware options.
The GPWS and Groundhandling gauges were made by Rob Barendregt. The Jelair Vspeeds/Callout gauge was made by Jacob Larsen. The FMC gauge was made by Garret Smith. The XML Sound Gauge was made by Doug Dawson.
***Important Notes***
1. The Avionics Master Switch is the 4 FLT CTL switches on the right side of the overhead panel. The autopilot and ATC will not work unless this is turned on.
2. The Yaw Damper switch is the 3 FLT CTL switches on the left side of the overhead panel. It is recommended to leave this off when on the ground and when on approach.
3. Changed Vertical Speed knob Altitude Hold push-pull to use mouse right click instead of left click to avoid accidentally engaging it when changing vertical speed setting.
3. The Jelair Vspeeds/Callout gauge must be opened(shift-7) once to activate it.
4. The upper ECAMS Fuel Flow and Fuel On Board readings can be toggled between KG and LBS by mousing over the F.F. kg/h area and clicking the plus sign.
5. The FMC panel can be opened/closed by clicking the top middle area of the VC FMC.
6. The Auto-Skid switch is located on the popup Gear panel(shift-6). The VC switch does not work.
7. Clicking on the VC lower ECAMS screen will open the popup ECAMS2 panel which has buttons allowing for selection of various system pages.
8. The VC AUTO BRK buttons above the landing gear lever do work. When on the ground only the RTO(rejected take off) mode will work.
9. Elevator Trim is typically set to around 3 degrees for takeoff.
10. Engine N1 is typically 85-90% for takeoff.
11. Approximate Vspeeds and landing approach speeds are in the Kneeboard Reference page.
I have made the following modifications:
1. Removed the attached taxi and landing lights from the model and added new lights in the aircraft cfg file using stock effects. These lights look much better and don't blast the VC with light when they are turned on. The attached navigation and strobe lights were changed to the stock P3D effects.
2. Adjusted the EGT max temp and scalar in the AIR file to display the engine EGT more accurately.
3. Adjusted total drag, landing gear drag, and spoiler drag in the AIR file.
4. Modified the empty and max weight as well as the passenger and cargo loads, adjusted load positions to maintain a correct CG range.
5. Changed the moments of inertia for more realistic feel and handling.
6. Corrected airplane geometry values.
7. Set engine thrust to correct value for the CFM56-5B3, added additional fuel flow gain entries for a longer and more realistic engine start sequence, set engine inlet area to correct value, and changed min throttle limit for more realistic reverser thrust.
8. Adjusted fuel flow scalar for more accurate fuel consumption.
9. Modified the fuel tank values to reflect the fuel quantity for the A321 with 3 fuel tanks. Adjusted the fuel tank positions to maintain a correct CG range. Enabled electric fuel pump which can be turned on/off on the overhead panel.
10. Updated flap and slat values to reflect A321 CFM actual positions and adjusted scalars for realistic performance.
11. Adjusted pitch stability and cruise lift scalars.
12. Changed the toe brake scale for more realistic braking effect.
13. Adjusted some autopilot values.
14. Enabled electric hydraulic pump and enabled wing deicing.
15. Enabled radio nav 1 and 2 backup frequencies and marker radio.
16. Removed the wing folding, tailhook, and smokesystem sections. Added the contrail effect to the effects section.
17. Adjusted exit positions.
18. Added some VC views and adjusted some view positions and zoom levels. You can now see the front of the wing on one side and the rear of the wing on the other.
19. Added the GPWS, Groundhandling, and Jelair Vspeed gauges to the panel.
20. Modified the code and added some new features for the upper and lower ECAMS gauges, Overhead gauge, Throttle/ECU gauge, Gear gauge, MFD gauge, Autopilot Gauge, and Annunciator gauge.
21. Replaced the lower Ecams popup window gauge with one that allows selection of different systems.
22. Included a custom Jelair Vspeeds gauge which I modified to display more accurate Vspeeds.
23. Added an audible Airbus Master Warning alarm bell which accompanies the Master Warning panel indicator.
24. Added a mouse click area near the top of the console FMC that opens the 2-D FMC panel when clicked. Also fixed multiple gauge code syntax errors.
24. Added a custom Kneeboard checklist and reference page.
The modifications were made based on official aircraft specifications contained in Airbus and CFM & IAE Engine documents. The aircraft was tested using P3Dv6, but should work fine in P3Dv4-6 and possibly even earlier versions and FSX.
David Midgett
June 2025