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Aircraft and configuration
Airbus describes the A220-300 as the longer member of the A220 family. Sidestick controllers command a fly-by-wire system with normal and direct modes. The real-aircraft guide describes different trim behaviour between these modes.
Airbus A220-300
A220 Driver / Synaptic Simulations · Read more ↗Meet Airbus A220-300
Airbus describes the A220-300 as the longer member of the A220 family. Sidestick controllers command a fly-by-wire system with normal and direct modes. The real-aircraft guide describes different trim behaviour between these modes.
History & design
Created as the C Series
Bombardier launched the C Series programme in 2008. The new aircraft first flew in September 2013, establishing the design that would later become Airbus’s A220 family.
Airbus · A220 family: programme history ↗Manufacturer account of the C Series / A220 programme
Becoming the A220
Airbus became the programme’s majority partner in 2018 and brought the aircraft into its product range as the A220. The change in programme ownership and name did not turn it into an A320 derivative: its development lineage remains the C Series.
Airbus · A220 family: programme history ↗Manufacturer account of the C Series / A220 programme
Systems & details
Controls and equipment
In normal mode, pilot trim requests change trim speed, while automatic trim offloads the elevators. In direct mode, trim commands the horizontal stabiliser; modes can differ by axis. The guide cautions that its real-aircraft descriptions may differ from Synaptic's simulation.
In your simulator
No released simulator product is listed for this aircraft in the developers reviewed. Announced products are excluded.
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Aircraft systems
Controls and equipmentAirbus A220-300
In normal mode, pilot trim requests change trim speed, while automatic trim offloads the elevators. In direct mode, trim commands the horizontal stabiliser; modes can differ by axis. The guide cautions that its real-aircraft descriptions may differ from Synaptic's simulation.
A220 pilot guide · edited 15 July, pages 1–2, 38 and 64–67
A220 Driver / Synaptic Simulations · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Aircraft documentation
Airbus A220-300 — aircraft documentationA220 Driver / Synaptic Simulations · A220 pilot guide · edited 15 July, pages 1–2, 38 and 64–67Aircraft history
A220 family: programme historyAirbus · Manufacturer account of the C Series / A220 programmeBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 2 profile choices
Synaptic A220-300
Synaptic · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
The longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and fly-by-wire controls.
Airbus A220-300
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
The longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and fly-by-wire controls.
Airbus A220-300
The longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and fly-by-wire controls.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Airbus A220-300 · MSFS 2020 · Variant starting point
- Airbus A220-300 · MSFS 2024 · Variant starting point
- Airbus A220-300 · X-Plane 12 · Variant starting point
Airbus A220-300 universal civil family/configuration. Documentary mechanism clauses keep the source's stated aircraft or family scope; simulator targets are Bridge selection scopes.
The simulator model and controls
The longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and fly-by-wire controls.
How this profile feels
The spring stays independent of airspeed. Directed aerodynamic loading is omitted.
Pitch-trim relief is off. Autopilot following is off.
Aircraft and configuration
Airbus describes the A220-300 as the longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and two-mode fly-by-wire controls.
Controls and equipment
In normal mode, pilot trim requests change trim speed, while automatic trim offloads the elevators. In direct mode, trim commands the horizontal stabiliser; modes can differ by axis. The guide cautions that its real-aircraft descriptions may differ from Synaptic's simulation.
About the values
Strengths are normalized hardware-feel settings. They set the effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its limits. The IAS reference is a tuning value.
What the documentation establishes
Airbus describes the A220-300 as the longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and two-mode fly-by-wire controls.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
ReviewedThe longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and fly-by-wire controls.
Flight controls
ReviewedThe longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and fly-by-wire controls.
Trim
ReviewedIn normal mode, pilot trim requests change trim speed, while automatic trim offloads the elevators. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
ReviewedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
ReviewedAirbus describes the A220-300 as the longer A220 variant with sidestick controllers and two-mode fly-by-wire controls.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
Not yet reviewedThe profile targets msfs2020, msfs2024, xplane12. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
InheritedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyControl system: Sidesticks · normal and direct fly-by-wire modes. The baseline spring is 0.55. Low-speed spring blending is off. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whyThe stored 0.04 aerodynamic-load gain is inactive under the fixed-centre control law. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value220 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value90 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 1 and 1, respectively. These stored weights do not create directed aerodynamic loading while that term is inactive. The pitch spring-travel curve reaches output 1 at input 1. The roll spring-travel curve reaches output 0.3 at input 1. Spring-travel response contributes separately to axis balance. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 49 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyControl system: Sidesticks · normal and direct fly-by-wire modes. The baseline spring is 0.55. Low-speed spring blending is off. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whyThe stored 0.04 aerodynamic-load gain is inactive under the fixed-centre control law. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 1 and 1, respectively. These stored weights do not create directed aerodynamic loading while that term is inactive. The pitch spring-travel curve reaches output 1 at input 1. The roll spring-travel curve reaches output 0.3 at input 1. Spring-travel response contributes separately to axis balance. |
Airbus A220-300: 220 indicated knots is the inherited feel reference, not cruise TAS, a published flight limit or a measured force threshold.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value220 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value20 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value90 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
Airbus A220-300: generic device trim feel, trim relief, force trim, hydraulic trim centering, autopilot following and neutral hold are disabled because portable state and neutral-motion contracts remain unqualified.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
Exact configured values with software explanations. Force magnitudes remain editable estimates; disabled features retain inactive values.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.01 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Starting centering force | Starting value0.03 | What it controls and whyThe centre preload is 0.03. It ramps outside the 0.01 deadband across 0.05 travel, shaping the passive centre independently of aircraft autotrim. |
| Center Starting Force Transition | Starting value0.05 | What it controls and whySets the travel used to ramp in centre preload. Wider intervals make its onset more gradual. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyAdds permitted spring resistance above the full-blend speed. Zero removes this high-speed increase. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Travel Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyApplies the configured pitch and roll spring travel curves. |
| Output | Starting value1 | What it controls and whySets response at the second pitch-curve point; it is an endpoint only if its input position is full travel. |
| Output | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whySets response at the second roll-curve point; its input position and other points determine the travel law. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyIn normal mode, pilot trim requests change trim speed, while automatic trim offloads the elevators. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0; roll authority is 0. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.05 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.28 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.06 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0.06 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value5 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- The link-hosted pilot guide is an independent documentary source, not a manufacturer force specification. Airbus's historical autopilot-event article does not establish current avionics-standard behavior. The generic choice claims no Synaptic or cross-simulator installed acceptance.
- Generic selection scope; installed add-on matching, custom states and device operation remain unqualified.
- Force magnitudes and cue amplitudes are inherited estimates; no physical calibration or certification is claimed.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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