⚡ Quick Verdict

Introduction: What Does the A109 Actually Do?

If you've ever sat in the left seat of a real Airbus A320, you know the ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor) panel isn't something you interact with constantly — but when you need it, you need it fast. Engine bleed issues on climb, hydraulic warnings, fuel imbalance — every one of these scenarios sends your hand to the ECAM switching panel before anything else.
The Rowsfire A109 is a physical replica of that switching panel, combined with ADIRS (Air Data Inertial Reference System) controls. It's designed for simmers building serious Airbus cockpits who are tired of hunting for on-screen buttons at critical moments. After hands-on testing during a full cold-and-dark startup at Sacramento KSMF using the Fenix A320 on MSFS 2024, here's everything you need to know.

📌 Building a full Rowsfire A320 cockpit? Also read our reviews of the A107 Overhead Panel, the A105 Radio Panel, and the A111 Audio Control Panel.

What Is the ADIRS Panel in a Real Airbus?

The ADIRS — Air Data Inertial Reference System — is the backbone of flight data on the Airbus A320. It consolidates inputs from pitot probes, static ports, and inertial sensors to produce the aircraft's speed, altitude, attitude, and navigation data. In plain terms: if the ADIRS fails, the aircraft loses its core flight instruments.
The physical panel in the cockpit allows pilots to align the IRS units, select data sources (ADR 1/2/3), and monitor system status. In simulation, controlling this with physical hardware rather than mouse-clicks adds a layer of procedural accuracy that study-level simmers actively seek out.

Rowsfire A109: Product Overview & Specs

Unboxing & First Impressions

The packaging is clean and well-organized. Inside the box:

•Rowsfire A109 ECAM panel
•USB-C cable
•31-page instruction manual (English)
•QR code card linking to the MobiFlight config file and setup tutorial

The first thing you notice when you pick up the A109 is that it doesn't feel cheap. The plastic housing has real density to it — no hollow rattling, no visible flex when handled. It's not a metal-frame build, but it's a significant step above budget peripherals that feel like they'd crack under regular use.
What stands out immediately: the backlighting. The LED illumination is genuinely uniform — no hotspots, no dark corners. Rowsfire achieves this through a transparent diffuser layer that distributes the light evenly across the entire panel face. The first look at it lit up is impressive, especially for the price point.
The button layout is authentic Airbus-style, accurately spaced so adjacent switches don't interfere. Labeling is crisp and printed directly onto the panel surface. One minor note: the buttons share the same mold design as the A107 overhead panel — which is fine functionally, but enthusiasts who prefer grainier textures over smooth plastic may notice it. Rowsfire has acknowledged this and is expected to refine button texture in future versions.

⚠️  Fingerprint resistance is a genuine plus: the panel surface doesn't retain smudges or show glare under studio lights — a practical benefit that's easy to overlook until you've owned a panel that doesn't have it.

MobiFlight Setup: Fast and Painless

The A109 is not plug-and-play in the traditional sense.  It requires MobiFlight, a free open-source software bridge. But 'not plug-and-play' is misleading here, because Rowsfire has made the setup as frictionless as possible.

Step-by-Step Setup

•Scan the QR code included in the box (or visit the Rowsfire website directly)
•Download MobiFlight Connector 10.5 and the A109 config file (Version 3 recommended)
•Open MobiFlight → load the config file → select the A109 from the device dropdown → click Assign → click OK
•Connect the A109 via USB-C — the panel runs a startup light sequence confirming it's recognized
•Launch MSFS 2024 and load the Fenix A320 — MobiFlight shows green status for both SIM and device

Total setup time in testing: under 10 minutes, including downloading the software. No external power brick, no proprietary drivers, no adapters. The USB-C connection handles everything.

💡 MobiFlight Note: At time of testing, the config file explicitly listed Fenix A320 and FlyByWire A32NX for MSFS 2020/2024. If you're on X-Plane with ToLiss, verify config compatibility on the Rowsfire website before purchasing.

Performance: Cold Start Demo on Fenix A320

Startup Sequence

Testing was conducted with the Fenix A320 in cold-and-dark state at Sacramento KSMF (Gate 1). The A109 was connected via MobiFlight with all statuses confirmed green before APU startup.

During the startup sequence, the panel responded exactly as expected: lights activated when APU came online, ECAM switching buttons reflected their real-world function in-simulator with no perceptible lag. Every button was cycled — Engine, Cabin Pressure, Electric, Hydraulics, Fuel, Wheel, APU, Doors, Status — and all produced immediate, accurate ECAM page changes on-screen.

Response Time

Response latency was tested deliberately: buttons held, rapidly cycled, and switched during active system changes. Zero lag was observed across all inputs. For immersion purposes, this is the single most important performance metric — a half-second delay between physical button press and sim response breaks the experience entirely. The A109 passes this test cleanly.

Backlighting Sync

The bidirectional brightness sync worked as advertised. Adjusting panel brightness from the sim's overhead controls reflected on the A109 hardware, and vice versa. Time-of-day changes in the sim (switching from daytime to night flying) also triggered appropriate lighting response on the panel.

Pros and Cons

Who Is the Rowsfire A109 For?

Final Verdict

FAQ — People Also Ask

Does the Rowsfire A109 work with MSFS 2024?

Yes. The A109 was tested on MSFS 2024 with the Fenix A320 and performed without issues. MobiFlight 10.5 supports MSFS 2024, and the v3 config file provided by Rowsfire covers both 2020 and 2024.

Do I need MobiFlight to use the A109?

Yes, MobiFlight is required. It's free, open-source, and takes under 10 minutes to set up using the QR code and config file included with the panel. No paid software is needed.

What is the difference between the A109 and the A107?

The A107 is Rowsfire's compressed overhead panel — covering APU, fuel pumps, electrical systems, and startup controls. The A109 is the ECAM switching panel and ADIRS controls, used primarily during startup, system monitoring, and fault management. They serve different sections of the cockpit and complement each other in a full build.

Does the A109 work with X-Plane?

MobiFlight supports X-Plane, and the A109 should work with compatible aircraft like the ToLiss A320. However, the Rowsfire config file at time of testing was primarily validated for MSFS. Check the Rowsfire website for the latest X-Plane compatibility confirmation before purchasing.

Is the A109 worth it if I'm not building a full cockpit?

Honestly, probably not. The ECAM panel has a specific, procedural use case. If you're flying casually and don't follow real Airbus SOPs or interact frequently with ECAM pages, the A105 Radio Panel or A107 Overhead Panel will give you more day-to-day value. The A109 rewards those committed to study-level operations.

How does the backlighting compare to other Rowsfire panels?

The uniform LED diffuser in the A109 is noticeably more even than many competing panels at this price. Brightness is adjustable from both the hardware and in-sim, with bidirectional sync. Night flying with this panel lit up is one of its strongest selling points.

🛒If necessary, click to add to cart: shop now