The Sierra Pattern is more than just a simulator drill; it’s the foundation of "seat-of-the-pants" flying in a fly-by-wire cockpit. Mastering it ensures that if the automation ever fails, the pilot is more than ready to take over.
The "standard" S-1 pattern typically involves the following:
Select Flaps 1. The slats extend, providing increased lift for the slowing aircraft. 3. Flaps 2 and Gear Down
The pattern culminates in a simulated instrument or visual final approach.
A V1 cut demands an immediate and precise response from the pilot:
To understand why the Sierra Pattern is flown the way it is, one must understand the unique Fly-By-Wire (FBW) architecture of the Airbus A320. Pitch Trim and Normal Law
The Sierra Pattern is a standardized, closed-loop flight profile used primarily in advanced flight simulators. It combines multiple flight phases—takeoff, precision turns, clean and dirty configurations, acceleration, deceleration, and approach—into a single, compact exercise.
The aircraft is on the correct lateral and vertical flight path. Speed: Speed is between VAPP -5 knots and VAPP +10 knots.
The FMS uses a 3D predictive algorithm. For a given waypoint (WPT B) with a constraint AT OR BELOW 10000 :
A standard Sierra Pattern begins well before the Final Approach Fix (FAF) and standardizes the transition from clean cruise configuration to a fully configured landing state. 1. The Entry and Clean Phase
