FlyByWire A320 MCDU + SimBrief Basics | MSFS Tutorial

Today's video comes in on the long side but I've tried to condense down the required information in the video to be able to program the MCDU when you have never done it before.
Simbrief Airframe: bit.ly/3zLfrnI
Topics covered: MCDU, flight plan, simbrief, radnav, perf, init, fuel, ofp
0:00 Intro
0:41 Simbrief Overview
4:51 Flight Plan Import
7:26 Weight & Balance
7:52 INIT & FPLN
13:01 INIT B
15:21 PERF
#flightsimulator #msfs2020 #fs2020

[@muw]

For anyone confused about the Weight and Balance Button not showing up, It has been changed to the tablet. Just click the truck icon on the sidebar and go to payload and import from the simbrief Flight Plan using the blue cloud button. 👍

[@backwoodsbytes]

THANK YOU! I paused the video to search for an answer and this is the first comment.

[@iibolistic5052]

i was just about to ask that thank you!

[@DereForever]

And what about the block fuel in the MCDU? I cannot see it know, it just appear the ZFW/ZFWCG and the other options, but i can't see the block fuel

[@Piarco2]

By far the best tutorial series for airliners. Not to deep, and really nice focus, thumps up

[@FlightSimSchool]

Thank you for saying that, it’s always appreciated

[@rutvijkulkarni8595]

I have always wanted to be a commerical pilot, couldnt achieve that, so here I am on MSFS trying to live that life. This video helped me so much you have no idea. Thank you so much.

[@chrisshimmin6395]

You are by far my favorite to watch when it comes to these tutorials! Looking forward to the next in this series.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Thanks! I’ll be releasing the takeoff to cruise video on the 26th of October and descent to land on the 4th of November

[@Rookblunder]

Almost a month into MSFS and decided to load Simbrief today. Your video helped me a lot to get started.

[@robertnorman8184]

Thanks! Learning a new airplane is a challenge. I love your tips… which include valuable background info.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Thank you for the show of support Robert, it's very much appreciated! Hope you enjoy the 320 :)

[@mackemron_uk5818]

Thank you. Really easy to follow your tutorials.

[@MrCarlnatalizia]

Excellent video. You do the most comprehensive tutorials. Thank you very much.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Thank you! It’s always nice to hear after putting a lot of work into it!

[@wimnanoe5887]

Again a great video can’t wait on the next one

[@chadvader974]

This was a brilliant tutorial!

[@danee500]

The KZbin algorithm has fail me because this is the channel / tutorial I’ve been searching for for years!. So happy I found your channel man great and easy to follow instructions. Looking forward to watching your other videos.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Thanks for the kind words, hope you enjoy the other videos as much!

[@AZG90]

thanks for great content! I try to learn as much as possible from your channel. I play on xbox and manually load the MCDU from simbrief,not ideal but I rather do that then the in game world map.

[@hiradkarimi]

thanks for the video. finally a good video how to load flight plan from simbrief.

[@sibongilevava7073]

Very very clear. You the best

[@MultiOmega1911]

Fantastic tutorial

[@pferlzzlplp]

This man saved me!! THX

[@mikeybuzzkill3681]

Great video!

[@exorcyst1]

Thx! Super helpful.

[@irishbloke99]

Superb Tutorial thanks very much.

[@ouzienavantj8018]

Liked and Subbed.

[@LiveGaming-42]

Thanks

[@johnhaley1325]

Enjoying your videos, great pace and very helpful. I'm a bit stuck at this section of your tutorials, as my W/B section of the AOC menu is not selectable. It's dim, sort of like me - in terms of trying to figure out where I've gone wrong. Hope someone can help, everything else has worked perfectly to that point

[@FlightSimSchool]

Hi John, since I released this video they moved W/B to the EFB (iPad on the left).

[@johnhaley1325]

@@FlightSimSchool Thanks, keep up the great work! Does that mean that specific information is loaded automatically once you choose passenger, cargo and fuel weights?

[@FlightSimSchool]

Yep, if you're using simbrief it'll import everything for you once you press the cloud button on the EFB on the W/B page

[@lordruperteverton9670]

Do you know of and recommend any other routes where the dep & arrival procedures are listed already? A lot of routes dont seem to have them two. Also do you plan to make a video about what to do when they arent listed? Love the vids, thank you.

[@FlightSimSchool]

That's a good point. In those cases, I usually prefer a route that has an arrival, because it's easier to handle a departure without a procedure, since you take off and then go direct to your first enroute waypoint. I've had it on my to-do list to cover this for quite some time now, hopefully I get to it soon 😅

[@Deda8000]

Hey m8 nice vid :) in the same plane by fbw in 6:18 at ATSU i haven't the W/ B optio :( and i don't know why

[@FlightSimSchool]

It’s been moved to the EFB (tablet) since I recorded this

[@sandman20011]

Amazing Sir thank you so much. Just followed your instructions to a tea. Thank you. New subscriber here. So will Auto pilot work and follow the flight plan? Thanks again. Hi from the Uk.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Yep it should work, you can follow in part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHTdaGSmYtKJg8k

[@KenStJohn-nj4zx]

How do you get the MCDU to fill in the elevator trim field??

[@Six-6-strings]

Thanks for these videos. When you were setting up your “INIT” page you had a CI and CRZ FL/TEMP filled out? Mine is looking for these for me to input. I’m using yours to continue but curious where you found them?

[@FlightSimSchool]

It probably got loaded by Simbrief for me. You can enter it manually: it’s your cruise altitude in Flight Level, followed by the temperature at that altitude. So say you’re planning a cruise at 31,000ft and it’s -25 at that altitude, you’d enter that as 310/-25 into the scratchpad. You can get your cruise altitude from the Simbrief plan, same for the weather, if you look under Wind Info, on the TOC column, use the number at the altitude that matches your cruise altitude. For example, “310 287/026 -26“, -26 is the temperature.

[@Six-6-strings]

@FlightSimSchool ok so the TOC on this short trip reads 170 227/027 -07. Is the temp -27 or -7?

[@FlightSimSchool]

@@Six-6-strings At 17000ft, the winds are on a heading of 227 at 27 kts, temperature is -7

[@Six-6-strings]

Got it. Thanks for the replies, I'm slowly picking this airliner thing up. Now I have to get this thing on the ground 😄

[@geraldvavro9089]

I’m super new to MSFS (2 weeks) after watching your video about how to load a flight plan with Sim Brief, I have one question, when you start the flight and initiate auto pilot will the altitude change after takeoff thru waypoints and finally through landing automatically or do you have to change manually per ATC requests during the flight ??

[@FlightSimSchool]

You need to change the altitude yourself, and either push for managed climb/descent, or pull for open climb/descent

[@tonyhorn2954]

A slight change to your video. The airframe file is now integrated into Simbrief and does not require a separate file download. Select A20N in the Simbrief Aircraft Type dropdown and then the FBW A32NX option will be available in the Varient dropdown. One less thing to keep up to date.

[@FlightSimSchool]

A lot of things have changed since I recorded this video. The concepts of routing and all that are still valid, but there are some things that moved around since the introduction of the flyPad

[@NR.2023]

Can you make a new video tutorial for this Simbrief + MCDU as it has changed quite a bit since you made this video. Thanks

[@FlightSimSchool]

Yeah I’ve had it on my list to rework it, but I haven’t gotten to it yet unfortunately

[@Polip69]

Hi, I'm coming back to msfs after a long break and I've encountered a problem that I can't choose the departure in the flight plan tab, which results in the lack of flight plan connection on the navigation display. Thanks in advance for your help.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Hi fillip, what happens when you click on the departure airport? Have you updated to the latest version with the FBW installer?

[@Ventixo]

In many cases on simbrief, I cant find a route that has an approach and departure (starting and ending with the letters and a number). For example, for one specific flight, these were all my options: CVO A16 MELDO N307 LAKTO N71 BIRES Z89 PIKOG L609 ZUKKO AMOS1A Valid for AIRAC 2203 DEGDI A16 MELDO N307 LAKTO PIKOG L609 ZUKKO AMOS1A Valid for AIRAC 2203 CVO A16 MELDO N307 LAKTO N71 BIRES Z89 PIKOG L609 ZUKKO AMOS1B Valid for AIRAC 2203 PSD PASOS ZUKKO AMOS1A Valid for AIRAC 2203 CAI ARH BGN

[@FlightSimSchool]

That means you'd fly to the first waypoint by vectoring yourself to it after takeoff, and the opposite for when you're arriving.

[@Ventixo]

@@FlightSimSchool Thanks, do you think you’ll ever make an updated video on this? Or do you know of any other tutorials for loading simbrief plans with only essential steps? Because I actually did find a route with both a departure and approach, however it added SIDs like MANUAL after i initialized, and removing them caused my approach to line up the runway way too late.

[@FlightSimSchool]

​@@VentixoI've had it on my to-do list to update my A32NX procedures for awhile now, unfortunately the problem is time :( I've had a few people request it now though so I'll bump the priority for it a bit.

[@rootytootjasperson6409]

Hi there I have a question, When you launch the FBWa320 do you input anything into the default msfs flight plan? Or do I have to launch the plane without a flight plan and input everything into the mcdu? thanks

[@FlightSimSchool]

The only thing I do from the default flight planner is pick the departure gate. Everything else is done in the cockpit. I hope that helps!

[@rootytootjasperson6409]

@@FlightSimSchool Thank you very much, Yes that clears it up! Thanks for the quick response!

[@samuelespiezio4424]

What can I do if I don't have the w/b option in the AOC menu? Btw very good tutorial

[@FlightSimSchool]

The Weight and Balance section was moved to the EFB (ipad) on the left side of the cockpit since I recorded this.

[@ImVenoms]

hey, idk if it's my end or whatever but I'm not seeign the Perf W+B in my AOC Menu. Please help.

[@FlightSimSchool]

The W&B has moved to the EFB (iPad) on the left side of the cockpit since I recorded this video. You can load everything up from there.

[@Renprefersamerican]

hey, when i import the flightplan, its only putting it in the INIT section and putting it as direct with no waypoints.

[@FlightSimSchool]

That's actually normal. You have to input the waypoints, as well as pick your SID, STAR, and approach yourself. The import from simbrief is really just setting your weights & balance numbers and very basics of your flight info

[@LiveGaming-42]

❤ One more question, how to auto land without ILS or Loc, is it possible with RNAV Auto land in foggy or rainy weather, please share a tutorial

[@FlightSimSchool]

You can't do an autoland with an RNAV approach; only ILS can autoland. You need to land the plane yourself once you get to the Minimum Descent Altitude. I hope that helps!

[@henryj.8528]

I'm not seeing the W&B on the MCDU. One source said that was moved to the EFB. Can't find it there either. (This is my first stab at setting up the MCDU so it's likely to be something I've missed.)

[@FlightSimSchool]

It’s moved to the EFB. I can’t remember where specifically though

[@henryj.8528]

@@FlightSimSchool Yep they moved it. However, after watching the first 4 videos several times and spending several hours fiddling, I was finally able to taxi today from cold and dark, (I didn't know I had to also drive the tug and I didn't have breaks programmed on the Thrustmaster...) However, I can now see light at the end of the tunnel. Lot more paperwork to flying than I imagined.

[@FlightSimSchool]

@henryj.8528 That’s great! Don’t get discouraged by all the work it takes to get everything right, it took me a good 4-5 attempts to be able to land it properly. Once you get a hang for it though, it becomes a lot easier and faster

[@diamondsdirect27]

Hello, your tutorial is very helpful but when I'm asked to choose a sid I refer to the flight plan generated but there isn't an option for the one that shows in the flight plan, what do I do?

[@FlightSimSchool]

In that situation, what I do is look for another approach that's similar or that goes in the same direction. What route are you trying to fly?

[@diamondsdirect27]

KJAX - KATL, when I chose a sid from simbrief I looked in the flight computer and it wasnt listed as an available sid, it just didnt show up@@FlightSimSchool

[@FlightSimSchool]

That can happen when there's a disconnect between the Simbrief nav data and MSFS's nav data. I'll usually refile it and choose a different route from the suggestions

[@firepilot109]

Good Video...thanks

[@phantom68]

I am new to flight sim and was trying to follow the tutorial shared here tutorial but I am stuck. Not sure whether something has changed in simbrief or the flybywire A32NX (I installed the latest stable version) but, after pressing init data req I can see both KONT and KSAN on the screen however when I go back to the AOC menu the W/B option is greyed out and not accessible. Also when I selected INIT there is no option to do INIT REQ so I tried to add info manually and finally I do not believe the full flight plan has been imported. When I go to F-PLN I can only see KONT F-PLN DISCONTINUITY and KSAN and nothing else but when go back to SIMBRIEF I can see the same routing which is in this tutorial as I matched the same data. I did save the flight plan and did generate it and I put my pilot id in the EDF. In fact I imported in the EDF the simbrief data and I can see the full route but this does not appear in the MCDU. On a separate not in MSFS I selected KONT (one of the fuel gates) as departure and KSAN as destination. If anyone has any idea what I have done wrong please let me know.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Hi Vince, since I recorded this video they moved W&B to the EFB (ipad on the left side of the cockpit) and grayed out the option in the MCDU. The reason the INIT REQ isn’t there is because you set a destination in the world map, only choose your departure and it should be there. It’s documented here: docs.flybywiresim.com/pilots-corner/a32nx-briefing/mcdu/init/#usage

[@phantom68]

@@FlightSimSchool thank you so much for your reply.

[@CesarLostaunau]

@@FlightSimSchool Thank you so much for this as I am having the same issue as @phatom68. Can you expand on this: "Make sure to not have set a Destination in the MSFS World Map otherwise the INIT REQUEST prompt will not show." Does this mean do not choose a gate as a destination in the world map? I tried that and it does not work for me. Thanks in advance for your guidance here.

[@FlightSimSchool]

@@CesarLostaunau Correct, in fact, don't choose a Destination at all. Only pick the Departure airport & Gate, and hit Fly

[@CesarLostaunau]

@@FlightSimSchool Excellent, I appreciate the fast response. Love your tutorials, BTW. They're very clear. See you in the air!

[@hiltsaber]

Hi, I love your video and I am trying to follow it but at 1:23 you said to click a link. That link is not on the website. How do you do it then? Thanks!

[@FlightSimSchool]

If you look in the description of this video, there is a link that you can follow that’ll import the simbrief profile. Once it opens in Simbrief, you just have to click Save airframe to save it. I hope that helps!

[@hiltsaber]

@@FlightSimSchool Thanks I appreciate you replying back. Looking forward to more videos.

[@zeezo34]

How did you get the IPAD on your left side? Is that an update for the default A320?

[@FlightSimSchool]

This is the Fly By Wire A320 available for free on PC; the default A320 doesn't have an EFB.

[@ZeroG]

How do you get that iPad on the left? My A320 does not have that O.O

[@FlightSimSchool]

It's in the MCDU options, under simulation I think? I can't quite remember where it is.

[@ster100]

Question about F Plan discontinuity (in minute 10.35): why do you delete RAJEE and not discontinuity ?

[@FlightSimSchool]

I remove the duplicate RAJEE waypoint, and then remove the discontinuity right after that.

[@ster100]

oke, now I see@@FlightSimSchool

[@pole3224]

my autopilot is not following the route, in my screen my route is like cut into tiny lines but in yours is not cut, i have to manually imput heading if i want to follow a waypoint, any idea why?

[@FlightSimSchool]

It sounds like you might have a discontinuity in the route. When you look through the flight plan, do you see F-PLN DISCONTINUITY entries?

[@pole3224]

@@FlightSimSchool ive erased the F PLAN discontinuity and it made no difference

[@FlightSimSchool]

What route are you using?

[@pole3224]

@@FlightSimSchool using SLVR - SLCB, with simbrief, i followed all the steps and it didnt work

[@IAmStealthh]

I dont have the init request button

[@eugeneyoung2803]

soon after finishing the Simbrief, video jumps to inside the cockpit and no explanation as to how to set up from world map menu. Please advice.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Oh, sorry about that. There isn’t any set up needed in the world map other than choosing your departure airport gate (but don’t pick an arrival airport), and click Fly

[@eugeneyoung2803]

@@FlightSimSchool Thank you for that. Another problem just moments ago, I did everything as exactly as you did, but the menu "W/B" does not show up on my MCDU. Any thoughts on it?

[@FlightSimSchool]

Since I recorded this Weight and balance has been moved to the EFB (iPad) on the left side of the cockpit

[@CzarSwift]

My “Imporant Information” on the flypad just says “N/A” under all the air pressure and temps. Anyone know how to fix this?

[@FlightSimSchool]

hmmmm, what build are you using? Make sure you’re updated if you’re on the dev or experimental branches

[@CzarSwift]

@@FlightSimSchool I figured it out. Had to set the METAR source to vatsim within my flypad settings

[@mackemron_uk5818]

MackemRon_UK 14 hours ago Hi there. Thanks again for your tutorials. I'm have a problem when loading into the MCDU. I'm getting to the w/b part, however it's not showing on the screen w/b. have you came across this before. I'm new to flight sim. Thanks in advance.

[@FlightSimSchool]

Weight and balance was moved to the EFB/ipad on the left side of the cockpit since I recorded this video

[@mackemron_uk5818]

@@FlightSimSchool Ah ok thanks. 👍👍

[@donrnels]

I bought 2 upgraded cockpits on Marketplace but I don’t know how to install them.

[@FlightSimSchool]

For the fly by wire?

[@donrnels]

@@FlightSimSchool I’m not sure. It’s two that are in the market place. By 2pilots. I’ll check to confirm tonight. I really appreciate you replying.

[@donrnels]

It is “New Cockpit A320NEO V2” on the marketplace.

[@EducationZoneTV]

Please share the flight plan for delhi to jammu..

[@FlightSimSchool]

You should be able to figure out it with everything I explained in this video.

[@algarni5060]

I did as you explained , but my F-Plan is blank , Do you know Why ??

[@FlightSimSchool]

It sounds like your Simbrief integration might not be working.

[@caianhughes2476]

My autopilot doesn't seem to follow the flight plan. Any idea why?

[@FlightSimSchool]

Does the PFD say you are in NAV mode when the autopilot is enabled?

[@markmilligan1462]

but how do you send this to ATC for IFR?

[@FlightSimSchool]

You can’t. I don’t use the default ATC, it’s not very realistic anyways.

[@marvinbrock2572]

can you put in a link to the sequal?

[@FlightSimSchool]

here you go : kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHTdaGSmYtKJg8k

[@josephferrer2711]

weight and balance not showing everything else is fine

[@FlightSimSchool]

Weight and balance is now on the EFB

[@travelwithpopa]

What do you do with the trans alt

[@FlightSimSchool]

At transition altitude you can set your altimeter to STD (29.92)

[@travelwithpopa]

What trans altitude do i need to put in Europe​@@FlightSimSchool

[@SteelSol]

do i have to pay for the simbreif?

[@FlightSimSchool]

Simbrief is free, but if you want the charts that go with it then you have to get a Navigraph subscription. You can instead get a data subscription only for Navigraph (which is much cheaper) and then feed that data into something like Navigraph.

[@omar4713]

for some reason im missing the W/B option

[@FlightSimSchool]

The W/B section got moved to the EFB (ipad) on the left since I recorded this video

[@omar4713]

@@FlightSimSchool thank you, by any chance do u know the version of a320 fbw this was before the update?

[@FlightSimSchool]

@@omar4713 I believe it would have been 0.8

[@omar4713]

@@FlightSimSchool i’ll downgrade to that version then. Appreciate the help

[@dandiesis9525]

Why flaps 1 e not 2?

[@FlightSimSchool]

For takeoff it’s almost always flaps 1 in the 320

[@donrnels]

When I press ATSU, I don’t have AOC.

[@FlightSimSchool]

That's weird. Have you recently updated to get the latest builds?

[@donrnels]

@@FlightSimSchool I think so. When I got to content manager, it says up to date.

[@donrnels]

Thank you for responding, I’m just getting into this and I like it, I just don’t know what I’m doing.

[@FlightSimSchool]

What do you see on the atsu menu?

[@donrnels]

@@FlightSimSchool I just says “ATC menu”. The iPad on mine looks different from yours also.

[@mmtexas799]

Man I need extra help I will pay you for it please I'm kind of messing up

[@FlightSimSchool]

What’s going on?