MOZA MA3F EFCM Flight Control Module Review: authentic Airbus A320 autopilot panel for simulators

TweakTown Rating: 97%

Our Verdict

MOZA once again execute a product extremely well. A320 pilots are going to love this, given the build quality, value, and ease of setup.

Pros

• Build quality
• Authentic experience
• Ease of setup
• Pricing
• Immersion factor

Cons

• No cockpit clamp/mount

Should you buy it?

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Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

The Airbus A320 is a favorite in the flight sim world, allowing enthusiasts to take to the skies in the world's bestselling airliner. Knowing how popular this airliner is, MOZA is releasing the all-new MA3F EFCM Flight Control Module.

Being a full, true-to-life replica, it includes all the functions as you would find on the real thing, with a faithfully recreated FCU center module flanked by two EFIS side modules. Dimensions, display characters, knob travel, switch feel, and backlighting all match the real aircraft, and the panel links to the sim through MOZA Cockpit with plug-and-play telemetry.

There are no shrunken proportions or compromises on immersion here; MOZA has purpose-built LCDs that reproduce the asymmetric characters and layout of the real FCU, and mirror the in-game display exactly as it should be. The attention to detail goes further, with dedicated mechanisms giving every push-pull knob the travel of the real unit, using clean detents and solid metal toggles, with 2mm of travel to the keys.

MOZA also includes an extension mode, where either side module can be used as a second control layer: transponder, weather radar, APU, predictive wind shear, and TCAS on the same hardware. There is native support for A320 and A330 in MSFS 2020/2024 and X-Plane 11/12, plus Fenix A320, ToLiss and FlightFactor 320.

Priced at $149 for the central unit and $99 for each left- and right-hand module, MOZA is very competitive with what they offer. So, continuing on from the MOZA MGX1000 that I have also covered, let's see what MOZA is offering the commercial airliner pilots out there.

Packaging

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Three boxes make up the complete MOZA MA3F EFCM, but you don't have to have all three; you can pick and choose which parts you want to use, with each available as a separate module.

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Covering the central element first, an image of the panel appears on the front of the full-color packaging. It's simple, effective, and shows exactly what you are getting. The image includes all buttons and LCD elements lit up.

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Around the rear, just as with the MOZA MGX1000, it shows a suggested setup within the MOZA ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Question #1

Will the MA3F EFCM work with other MOZA panels like the MGX1000 for a combined setup?

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Question #2

Can a single USB-C connection handle all three modules without additional power or a USB hub?

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Question #3

What exactly toggles and controls are available in the extension mode and how are they activated?

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Question #4

Are the MA3F EFCM backlighting and button LEDs syncable with other MOZA devices via telemetry?

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The sides of the packaging show some key features of the MA3F EFCM system;

• High-Fidelity Autopilot Control Panel
• Authentic Segmented Display
• Plug & Play Connectivity
• Realistic Rotary Knob Feel
• Multiple Mounting Options Supported

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When showing both side modules together, the packaging is essentially the same as the central panel and includes the same style images and information.

Unboxing the MOZA MA3F EFCM Flight Control Module

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Starting with the unboxing, I will cover the center FCU panel first. MOZA uses open-cell foam to protect the contents, with all our samples arriving safely. Housed within the foam are the panel, desk stand brackets, USB cable, and mounting hardware.

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Being a full-size 1:1 replica, the center FCU module is 260mm wide, 87mm tall, and 50mm deep. The included panel text is painted first and then laser-etched, giving crisper detail and better long-term durability than standard printing.

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MOZA includes several mounting options around the back, with threaded inserts in the center that allow a 75mm x 75mm VESA mount to be installed. I said in the MOZA MGX1000 review that this is a great inclusion and opens up a wide range of mounting options, to desks, profile rigs and much more. It's nice to see MOZA has stayed with this implementation here as it makes good sense. The FCU is connected via USB-C on the bottom edge, and when the side units are installed, they link via the ports on either side for a single USB connection back to the PC to control everything. On either side, more threaded inserts can be seen, along with some locating pins used to attach the side modules and the desk stand we will see soon.

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The same packaging is used for both left and right EFCM modules. Once again, all mounting hardware is included: a plate for mounting to the central FCU and a link cable for connectivity.

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Each module is again a realistic width of 155mm, with the same 50mm depth as the central unit, while the edges taper off to the sides. MOZA says that knob characters use a drip molding process for a glossy, raised, three-dimensional finish that resists wear and sweat. Usually found on more expensive hardware, it provides peace of mind that this should be a long-lasting investment.

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The back of each module is very similar to the center FCU, with threaded inserts, locating pins, and a port for connection.

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Side on, and viewed together, the EFIS modules are in keeping with the central module. Now that we have everything unboxed, we can join it all together and take a closer look.

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Installation of the joining plate and desk stands is really easy and sensible, as it does not overcomplicate the process. Install the plate to join each side module to the center, then mount the desk stand on top. MOZA includes rubber pads on the bottom of the desk stand brackets to protect your desk. Finally, the panels are connected using the short cable provided that fits through the cutout in the desk stand bracket. The locating pins keep everything aligned, and we are now ready to take a look around our newly assembled MA3F EFCM.

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Seen in its entirety, it's a wonderful-looking panel. If you are using the included desk stand, it tilts the panel back slightly to allow easy viewing of the displays and access to all the keys and knobs.

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Viewing both sides of the panel gives you a closer look at the detail MOZA has put into this recreation. Every button and switch has a great feel, with the outer rings on the rotaries offering noticeably more tension than the inner ones, which are really smooth when turned. The barometer reference selector includes a pull /push switch to select the required reference.

Metal toggles feature on the ADF/VOR with authentic latching so you have to lift the switch before making a selection, preventing accidental knocks. All buttons, including those for Flight Director and optional data displays for NAV modes, feel soft but positive, with no slop or rattle. Both mode and range selectors feature ribbed sides to prevent slipping and line up perfectly with the printed labels. For the EFIS modules, the quality is obviously the same for both Captain and First Officer sides of the unit.

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More centrally, the FCS carries the same high standard of implementation for speed, heading, altitude, and vertical speed adjustment. All are again faithfully recreated, with pull/push included on all rotaries. Throughout, button label printing is crisp, and you can't tell that these include green LEDs to backlight and denote the switch activations until they are lit up in sim.

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In a full three-module setup, one EFIS side module often sits idle during a flight. MOZA includes the extension mode to turn switches and keys into a second control layer, so you can stay immersed and negate the need to use the on-screen controls;

• Transponder code
• IDENT
• Weather radar
• APU master / start
• Predictive windshear
• TCAS
• Five custom keys

With the physical overview complete, it is time to go through the MOZA Cockpit, get set up, and start flying.

Installation & Software

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As with the MOZA MGX1000, I am using the VESA mount from the FMP18 bundle, which I also have here for review, to mount the MA3F EFCM to my Track Racer TR120S V2. MOZA has executed the mounting of these units really well, and regardless of your setup, you won't get stuck trying to figure out how to mount your new panel. Connecting to my PC via a single USB connection, I fired up MOZA Cockpit to get everything updated, running MOZA Cockpit V1.1.4.8 for testing.

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The main page of the MA3F EFCM settings includes signal hold time with panel backlighting settings below. As with the MGX1000, you can set the backlight in several ways. Manual allows control over 15 levels of adjustment, while it can also be controlled via another device or with telemetry. Further options are also listed for the indicator lights and screen brightness.

MOZA states that the telemetry link to the sim requires no third-party drivers, no scripting, and no complicated setup, making it easier for end users. The adjustable display brightness, character backlight, and button status lights are all tied into the wider MOZA Cockpit lighting ecosystem.

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At the bottom of the page, the Hall sensors can also be calibrated for all the included toggles and push / pull switches on the rotaries. I did have a small issue with the HDG knob stuck and button 19 permanently on, but a quick calibration sorted it out. The button and switch numbers and locations are listed on the right of the page, and that is how I initially found that I had a stuck sensor.

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Clicking the extended function icon in the top-right corner shows you how to activate the additional functions. Pressing WPT and CSTR together on a side module toggles the extension mode; custom mapping is contained within MOZA Cockpit. Here, having additional controls makes sense so the panel doesn't sit there doing nothing most of the time.

Kris' Sim Racing Test System Specifications

Final Thoughts

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Just as with the MOZA MGX1000, there is some learning to be had to get the most out of the MA3F EFCM. Bolted to the front of my Trak Racer TR120S V2, it looks amazing when the lights are dimmed, with a smooth, even, and relaxing orange glow that allows me to clearly read what is on the screen and the button labels. Flying with the MOZA MA3F EFCM included some routes in the UK, and then I took an A320 for some sightseeing in San Francisco and other parts of the world. Longer haul, where I could just set the airliner on its way, sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

You cannot beat having physical controls for simulators like MSFS and X-Plane; the same goes for sim racing. The amount of time I have spent messing about trying to click and rotate knobs to change heading, bring the gear up, move flaps, and all the other little parts that can make flying a little tedious is removed when you have something real to click or twist. Sure, a HOTAS is the starting point, but what MOZA is releasing makes the whole experience so much better.

Once again, as with the MGX1000, I feel more like a pilot, more like I am interacting with an aircraft, not just scrambling to zoom and click a toggle switch on the screen with my mouse. The more controls you have at your fingertips, the better the experience gets, and it also becomes more rewarding, as you learn more and more about the capabilities of all the wonderful aircraft that you can fly.

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The MOZA MA3F EFCM is responsive, and I kept taking my eyes off my screen, looking at the panel display, then back; it's lovely having everything match and stay in sync. While my test rig isn't the perfect setup for long-term use, I do have to change things out quite often, so here it is currently located for testing; it isn't where I would attach it for long-term use. Having this nestled right under my screen would be perfect, and I hope MOZA will be releasing more in the future to really complement what they have started here.

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So, there you have it: MOZA has once again come up with a great product that isn't there for the sake of it and actually makes a difference to your flying experience. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the MOZA MA3F EFCM, but there is one thing I would change. See, for both the MA3F EFCM and the MGX1000, I borrowed the mounting plate and clamp from the MOZA FMP18 Panel Bundle, and it's one thing I think is lacking across both of these other products. It's great that MOZA does include a desk stand, and even the clamp I have used wont suit everyone's setup, but I do think they should include something similar with the MA3F EFCM. Granted, it may bump the price by a few dollars, but I do believe it would be worth it, rather than having to source your own.

Impressed by the build quality, functionality, ease of setup, and, of course, the price, the MOZA MA3F EFCM isn't a must-have; you can certainly go off flying without it and have a good time. But it adds a lot to the experience and the immersion for not too much money. Gaming, be it adventure games, first-person shooters, or sims, they are all there to put a smile on your face, but when you really start getting into a particular genre, such as flight sims, then add-ons such as this help turn that smile into a rather large grin.