The maneuver is essentially a vertical "S" shape flown at a constant airspeed and heading Constant Speed/Heading: Usually flown at on a steady heading The Descent: 1,000-fpm descent for exactly 1,000 feet (lasting 1 minute) The Climb: 1,000-fpm climb back up for 1,000 feet (lasting 1 minute) Repetition:
The Sierra Pattern is a specialized, closed-loop instrument flight training profile flown entirely by references to cockpit instruments. It is named "Sierra" because the profile's vertical flight path—constantly ascending and descending while changing speeds—visually resembles a jagged mountain range or a series of "S" curves when viewed on a vertical profile chart. sierra pattern a320
Can include more complex transitions, such as climbing or descending turns, further challenging the pilot's instrument scan and mental calculation of pitch and thrust. Core Training Objectives The maneuver is essentially a vertical "S" shape
The key to a successful Sierra Pattern is being stable before the turn. Core Training Objectives The key to a successful
Monitor the F speed (Flap retraction speed). Do not retract until the PFD shows "F" or "S" incrementally.
The sequence is typically performed at least twice to demonstrate stability and precision A320 Specific Application For A320 pilots, "Sierra Patterns" are often referenced in Mental Calculation Booklets provided by Airbus or training organizations . These patterns teach the relationship between: Pitch Attitudes: The specific degrees of nose-up or nose-down required Thrust Settings: