A320 Descent Simulator

Instructions

This simulator helps trainee A320 pilots with their descent planning and energy management. Use the Flight Path Angle controls to manage your descent rate. The goal is to follow the ideal descent path (green line) to land safely at the runway with the correct speed and altitude.

Aerodynamics Model:

This simulator uses a realistic aerodynamics model that accounts for aircraft drag and gravitational effects. Increasing your flight path angle will make you descend faster but may also increase your speed due to gravity. Managing your energy is key to a successful approach.

Optimum Descent Profile:

• Start at 30,000ft and 100nm from the runway at 280kt
• Descend to 10,000ft at 35nm from the runway
• Level off at 10,000ft and reduce speed to 250kt
• Continue descent to 5,000ft at 20nm from runway
• Final approach: 3,000ft at 10nm from runway at 180kt

Controls:

• Steepen/Shallow Descent: Adjusts flight path angle by 0.5° increments
• Level Flight: Sets flight path angle to 0° (horizontal flight)
• Simulation Speed: Toggle between 5x and 10x real-time speed
• Keyboard: Up/Down arrows to adjust descent angle, L for level flight, Space to pause