How do I start the Fenix A320 from cold and dark in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?
To start the Fenix A320 from cold and dark in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, we switch on the batteries, connect external power or start the APU, align the ADIRS, configure fuel and overhead systems, then start engine 2 followed by engine 1 in IGN/START. After both engines stabilise, we return the engine mode selector to NORM and complete the after-start setup.
Fenix A320 cold and dark start checklist
The Fenix A320 is far more system-driven than the default airliners in MSFS, so it helps to follow the Airbus flow rather than rely on generic MSFS shortcuts. If something is missing, the aircraft usually tells us why; power, fuel, bleed air, or the engine mode selector are the usual culprits.
Secure the aircraft. Set the parking brake, confirm the throttles are fully at idle, and make sure you are not spawning with a turnaround state already active. If the stand offers ground services, wheel chocks and external power may be available, but they are not guaranteed at every airport.
Turn on BAT 1 and BAT 2. On the overhead panel, switch on both batteries. This gives the aircraft basic electrical power and wakes up the displays and systems.
Establish a proper power source. If external power is available, switch it on once it shows as available. If not, go straight to the APU start. Either route is fine; many simmers use external power first because it keeps things stable while they set up the cockpit.
Set the ADIRS selectors to NAV. On the overhead, move all three ADIRS selectors to NAV. Do this early, because alignment takes time and you will want it progressing while you complete the rest of the setup.
Turn on fuel pumps. Switch on the fuel pumps on the overhead. The centre tank pumps only matter if there is fuel in the centre tank, but the wing tank pumps should be on for a normal start.
Start the APU. Switch APU MASTER on, wait a few seconds, then press APU START. Give it time to spool up. When the APU is available, switch on APU BLEED if you plan to use APU bleed for engine start, which is the standard method.
Configure essential overhead items. Arm the emergency exit lights, set passenger signs as required, and check that the air conditioning and pneumatic setup are in a sensible state. On a simple startup, the critical point is that you have a valid bleed source for the engine start.
Set cockpit and flight systems for departure. Program the MCDU if you are using one, set the baro reference, check trim, and verify your take-off flap setting for later. This is not strictly required to make the engines run, but it is the normal flow while ADIRS alignment continues.
Wait for ADIRS alignment if you want a proper departure. The aircraft can power up before alignment finishes, but for accurate navigation you should let the ADIRS complete. If you rush this stage, you may end up with navigation flags, missing guidance, or odd map behaviour.
Prepare for engine start. Turn on the beacon, close the aircraft doors if they are open, and make sure pushback is arranged if needed. In the Airbus, the beacon is the clear signal that engine start is about to happen.
Set the engine mode selector to IGN/START. Move the selector from NORM to IGN/START. This arms the start logic and is the step people most often miss.
Start engine 2. Move ENG MASTER 2 to ON. Watch for normal spool-up indications: N2 rising, fuel flow appearing, EGT increasing, then stabilising at idle. Engine 2 is started first in the normal Airbus flow.
Start engine 1. Once engine 2 is stable, move ENG MASTER 1 to ON and monitor the same indications. Wait for engine 1 to stabilise at idle.
Return the engine mode selector to NORM. After both engines are running normally, move the selector back to NORM. Do not leave it in IGN/START for taxi and take-off.
Shut down APU bleed and external power if no longer needed. Once the engines are supplying the aircraft, switch off APU BLEED, then shut down the APU if you do not need it. Disconnect external power if it is still in use.
Complete the after-start flow. Set flaps for take-off, arm speed brakes if required for your procedure, check flight controls, set nose light to taxi, confirm autobrake if used, and release the parking brake when ready to taxi.
What is the quickest working sequence?
If you just want the shortest reliable version, this is the core chain:
BAT 1 and BAT 2 on
EXT PWR on if available, or start the APU
ADIRS to NAV
Fuel pumps on
APU BLEED on
Beacon on
Engine mode selector to IGN/START
ENG MASTER 2 on
ENG MASTER 1 on
Engine mode selector back to NORM
If that sequence does not work, the issue is usually not the order. It is usually missing electrical power, no APU bleed, no fuel pumps, or trying to start with the mode selector left in the wrong position.
Why won’t the Fenix A320 start?
The Fenix is unforgiving in the right way. If one required condition is missing, the start will not behave normally.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| No screens or limited power | Batteries off, no external power, or APU not available | BAT 1 and 2 on, EXT PWR connected, or APU fully running |
| Engines will not spool up | No bleed air source | APU running and APU BLEED on, or another valid bleed source |
| Start sequence begins but aborts | Fuel not available | Fuel pumps on and aircraft actually loaded with fuel |
| Only one engine starts | Second engine master not switched on or first engine not stabilised | Start engine 2 first, then engine 1, and monitor indications |
| Navigation systems look wrong after start | ADIRS not aligned | Set all ADIRS selectors to NAV early and wait for alignment |
| Aircraft behaves oddly with shortcuts | MSFS auto-start or hardware bindings conflicting with Fenix logic | Use the aircraft's own cockpit controls and check controller assignments |
Do I need external power, or can I use only the APU?
You can use only the APU. That is perfectly normal if external power is unavailable on the stand. External power is simply convenient during setup because it saves APU fuel and keeps the aircraft powered while you work through the cockpit.
If both are available, a common flow is to use external power first, then start the APU, then transfer the aircraft to APU power and bleed for engine start.
Do I have to wait for ADIRS alignment before starting the engines?
Not strictly for the engines themselves, no. The engines can be started before alignment completes if electrical and pneumatic conditions are correct.
For a proper departure, though, we strongly recommend letting the ADIRS finish aligning before taxi or take-off. Otherwise you can run into navigation and autopilot issues that look like a broken aircraft when the real problem is simply incomplete alignment.
Fenix A320 startup tips that save time
Start the ADIRS early. It is the longest passive wait in the flow.
Use engine 2 first. That is the normal Airbus order and keeps the flow clean.
Watch the ECAM. The Fenix gives useful clues there when a start condition is missing.
Do not depend on generic MSFS key commands. The Fenix models aircraft logic more deeply, so cockpit switches are more reliable.
Check your hardware bindings. Duplicate bindings for fuel cutoff, ignition, throttles, or starter-related controls can interfere with the normal sequence.
Is there an easier way than a full manual startup?
Yes. If you want to skip the full cold and dark procedure, you can use a turnaround or ready-to-taxi aircraft state if that state is available in your Fenix setup. That is useful for short sessions, but if you want the aircraft to behave predictably from gate to gate, learning the manual flow is worth it.
If you are building out your MSFS setup with more aircraft and utilities, our Microsoft Flight Simulator downloads library is here: https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/.
Simple memory flow for the Fenix A320
If you want one line to remember, use this:
Batteries, power, ADIRS, fuel pumps, APU, APU bleed, beacon, IGN/START, engine 2, engine 1, NORM.
That is the backbone of a successful cold and dark start in the Fenix A320 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Once you have that fixed in your head, the rest of the cockpit setup becomes much easier to manage.