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A320 Circuit - Simulated Base Training

#Flying Technique#Line Training & Checks#Youth Aviation Programmes#Aviation Learning
Reflection prompt

Important Notice: This note is intended solely for Pilot Apprentices under the Aerospace Ambassador Programme for educational and simulator familiarization purposes only. It is not for real-world flight operations. Always refer to your company SOPs and approved manuals for operational and training use.


What students actually do when visiting an Airbus / Boeing Level-D Simulator?

This simple guide is designed for student pilots/pilot apprentices visiting an A320 full-motion Level-D simulator, where you experience base training exactly like airline cadets — you are the PF (Pilot Flying).


What is Base Training?

Base training is the phase where pilots practice take-off and landing circuits in a full-motion simulator before flying the real aircraft.

In an airline context, this is where:

  • You learn aircraft handling close to the ground

  • You practice raw flying skills (pitch, power, attitude)

  • You understand crew coordination (PF / PM) in a high-workload environment

For students, this is a rare chance to sit in the left seat and fly an airliner circuit from start to finish.



Circuit Setup (A320 – Training Standard)

  • Circuit altitude: 2,000 ft

  • Student role: PF (Pilot Flying)

  • Instructor / Captain: PM (Pilot Monitoring)

  • Pattern: Left-hand or Right-hand circuit (briefed)


A320 Take-Off & Circuit Flow (Student as PF)

✈️ A320 Take-off Roll – PF / PM Callouts



Reflection prompt

Key note: On Airbus, advancing thrust levers to TOGA or FLEX not only sets thrust, it also arms the autothrust and engages SRS and runway guidance modes on the FMA — this is confirmed visually on the PFD


After Take-Off

  • 400 ft AGL:

    • PF turns left or right (depending on circuit)

  • PF hands control to Captain:

    • PF: “You have control”

    • Captain: “I have control”

  • Student makes PA


PA practice (real airline style):

Reflection prompt

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. My name is [Name]. We will be flying to [Destination]. Flight time is approximately [00:00]. We wish you a pleasant journey.”


Downwind & Base Leg

  • Fly parallel to runway (Time ~30 seconds from threshold)

  • Start gentle descent: ~500 ft/min

  • Maintain stable speed and attitude

  • Anticipate turns — don’t chase the instruments


Final Turn & Landing Setup

  • 30° bank turn towards runway

  • Gear down

  • Flaps FULL

  • Ask Training Captain for Landing checklist


PAPI Reference

  • 2 red / 2 white → On glide

  • 4 red → Too low

  • 4 white → Too high


Final Approach & Flare (Most Important Part)

  • Target descent: ~800 ft/min when stable on glide

  • Visual aim point: runway between your legs

  • Use the yoke for left/right, thrust for glide


At 50–20 ft Callouts

Key tips:

  • ❌ Don’t pull back aggressively

  • ❌ Never push the aircraft onto the runway

  • ✅ Small, smooth corrections

  • ✅ Anticipate — avoid pilot-induced oscillation


Note: Circuit altitude for this session is 2,000 ft, not 1,500 ft AGL as published.
Note: Circuit altitude for this session is 2,000 ft, not 1,500 ft AGL as published.


This is a full-motion Level-D simulator — the same standard used for airline checks. It’s extremely expensive, extremely realistic, and rewards calm, precise flying.

The Captain will coach you:👉 “More… less… hold it… ease it…”


Why This Experience Matters

Most people never touch a real airliner control. Here, you learn:

  • Airline flows

  • Crew discipline

  • Energy management

  • How real pilots think, not just fly


This is not a game. This is how airline pilots are trained.