In the world of commercial aviation, precision is paramount. Nowhere is this more critical than during the final phases of flight—approach and landing. For pilots transitioning to the Airbus A320 family, one of the most drilled, debated, and essential maneuvers is the . While the term might sound like classified military code, it is actually the cornerstone of the Airbus go-around procedure.
Setup: Start a short final approach at 1000 feet.
Program the MCDU: Ensure your missed approach procedure (MISSED APP) is loaded in the F-PLN page. The S-waypoint will appear.
Execute: At 500 feet, press TO/GA. Advance throttles.
Watch the magic: Pull the HDG knob. Watch the ND draw the magenta "S" line. The aircraft will fly the exact published procedure.
Debrief: Use the replay tool to check if you maintained the 15° pitch and never stalled.
Check aircraft messages and maintenance records
The RAT (Ram Air Turbine): The moment both engines fail below 100 knots (or immediately on dual failure), the RAT deploys automatically. It provides emergency hydraulic pressure (Blue system) and limited electrical power. However, the RAT is a drag-producing device. The Sierra Pattern accepts this drag penalty.
The EMER ELEC (Emergency Electrical) Configuration: The aircraft sheds non-essential buses. You lose the pack fans, the galley, and most importantly, the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) may enter a degraded mode. The Sierra Pattern's speed cycling helps "wake up" the FADECs.
Loss of Yellow/Green Hydraulics: Without engines, you lose the engine-driven pumps. The PTU (Power Transfer Unit) is useless. You only have the RAT-powered Blue system for flight controls. You have no nosewheel steering and no normal braking upon landing.
Final
: Established by 500-1,000 ft AGL with "Sierra" landing pitch (~ 2.5∘2.5 raised to the composed with power ). 4. Critical Safety Rules sierra pattern a320
Gear: UP
Flaps: 0
Speed brake: RETRACTED (critical—drag is your enemy)