Today, well-known flight simulation creator Captain Tango shared his in-depth review of the Rowsfire A106 Airbus Mini Overhead Panel. From unboxing to cockpit testing, his impressions highlighted both the authentic Airbus feel and the practical usability that Rowsfire is bringing to the flight sim community.
First Impressions: Compact Yet Professional
Captain Tango pointed out that the Rowsfire A106 arrives in secure packaging with an installation card and QR code, making setup straightforward. He emphasized that the panel is one of four models available from Rowsfire, meaning that depending on a pilot’s needs and budget, there’s an option to suit every type of simmer.
The build immediately stood out: a full-metal case, stable design, and backlighting control knob, ensuring not just realism but also durability and ease of use.
Core Airbus Functions in Miniature Form
Despite its compact footprint, the Rowsfire A106 replicates a wide range of Airbus overhead functions, allowing sim pilots to complete flights from cold and dark to shutdown without relying solely on virtual cockpit views.
- Lighting Controls: Eight switches for external lights, designed as two- or three-position toggles, similar to the real A320 overhead.
- Cabin Signs: No Smoking and other sign controls included, with functional middle “auto” positions.
- Engine & APU Management: Dedicated push buttons for APU start and bleed, plus fuel pumps, batteries, and external power—all accessible in intuitive clusters.
- Efficiency Design: Certain buttons smartly combine multiple systems (e.g., one button for all fuel pumps, another for both batteries), keeping the panel compact while retaining realism.
"Captain Tango praised the button size and layout, noting that they closely match the real aircraft and provide excellent tactile feedback."
Easy Setup and Software Integration
The panel connects via a single USB cable, requiring no external power. Brightness for the backlighting is adjustable through a side knob.
Software setup involves:
- FSUIPC
- MobiFlight
- A Rowsfire-provided MobiFlight configuration file (downloadable from Google Drive or the official Rowsfire website).
"Captain Tango highlighted how smooth the setup process was and how the test feature allowed him to confirm all switches and lights were working within minutes."
In-Cockpit Experience
Once loaded into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (Fenix A320 add-on), the Rowsfire A106 delivered a seamless overhead experience:
- External lights could be controlled quickly during critical phases of flight.
- Switch states were visually clear at a glance, adding to operational confidence.
- APU startup and fuel pump management felt natural and intuitive.
The ability to physically confirm switch positions, especially when passing 10,000 feet, was highlighted as a major immersion boost.
Balanced Feedback and Continuous Improvement
While praising the A106’s design, Captain Tango also noted areas for refinement, such as:
- The seat belt sign switch missing its auto (middle) position.
- Plastic caps on some switches tending to twist slightly.
The Rowsfire team values this feedback deeply.
”We want to reassure our community that these points have already been collected and are being addressed in upcoming iterations of the A106 series. Our philosophy has always been to improve with every release based on the voices of real simmers.“
Final Thoughts: A Step Forward for Home Cockpits
Captain Tango concluded that the Rowsfire A106 is a small panel with a big impact, enabling serious simmers to build a true-to-life Airbus cockpit at home.
“The Rowsfire A106 makes it possible to complete a full flight without constantly relying on the virtual overhead. The build quality, design, and ease of integration make it a valuable addition for any Airbus simmer.”
With more companies entering the simulation hardware market, Rowsfire continues to stand out by combining professional functionality with accessible pricing.
✈ Rowsfire, a flight simulator brand that combines premium quality with fair pricing. Subscribe for the latest updates and enjoy free worldwide shipping, bringing true to life flying within your reach!
