Sierra Pattern A320 -

If you push the "NAV" button on the FCU (Flight Control Unit) during a go-around, the A320 will attempt to fly the MCDU-stored missed approach, which is likely a runway centerline climb followed by a specific waypoint. The Sierra Pattern is a visual maneuver . You should remain in or TRK (Track) mode using the FCU heading knob.

Whether you are a cadet prepping for base training or a seasoned pro in the sim, here is what you need to know about this essential training maneuver. What is the Sierra Pattern?

The PF climbs to 1,500 feet, realizes they are still over the runway centerline, and cranks a 45+ degree bank turn to get back to downwind. Fix: The Sierra Pattern is about geometry , not speed. Shallow bank turns (max 25° in passenger service, 30° in training). If you are too close, fly away from the runway for another mile before turning. Over-banking kills lift. sierra pattern a320

If ATC asks you to "Extend your upwind," do not fly the Sierra. Fly straight. The Sierra Pattern is a closed pattern for immediate re-entry. If the airport is busy, ATC may vector you away for spacing, in which case you discard the Sierra and follow radar vectors.

Modern A320 pilots rely heavily on automation, but the Sierra Pattern is a . Here is the danger zone. If you push the "NAV" button on the

While Sierra Patterns are technical handling exercises, they directly translate to the skills needed for a or circuit. In a standard A320 visual circuit , a pilot must manage the downwind, base, and final legs manually, often using the same mental calculations for pitch and power learned during Sierra training.

The Sierra Pattern is a standardized simulator training profile designed to test a pilot's capacity to handle compounding abnormalities while maintaining precise aircraft control. Named after the traditional "S-pattern" instrument training geometries, the modern Airbus Sierra Pattern focuses heavily on task prioritization, crew resource management (CRM), and the fluid transition between fully automated flight and raw-data manual flying. Whether you are a cadet prepping for base

A major hydraulic system loss (e.g., Green + Yellow system low pressure).

This is correct, but there is a trap. Starting the APU draws massive current from the emergency batteries. If you attempt an APU start while also cycling the engine master switches for a windmill restart, you can drain the batteries below 20 volts. At that point, the FADECs and the flight control computers (ELAC/SEC) reboot or fail.