Narrowbody Jet (A320-class)
The narrowbody jet: fast, heavy and the longest final you will fly.
The Narrowbody Jet approximates the most common short-haul airliner. Swept wings, underwing engines and a high landing speed make it the aircraft where speed, height and distance have to be planned together.
At cruise altitude it is smooth and quick, and a mission that takes the trainer all evening is an easy hop. The real work is the descent and the approach, which start far from the airport.
Key Numbers
- Role: narrowbody jet airliner
- Approximates: A320
- Unlocks at: level 9
- Maximum takeoff mass: 78,000 kg
- Stall, landing configuration: 115 kt
- Stall, clean: 156 kt
- Flaps may be used below: 177 kt
- Normal operating limit: 330 kt
- Never exceed: 350 kt
- Rotate at about: 185 kt
- Approach at about: 150 kt
Speeds are indicated airspeed in knots as the simulator models them; the real type is only the thing this aircraft approximates.
How It Flies
- Start the descent early: a good rule is three nautical miles for every thousand feet you have to lose.
- Flaps and speed go together. Slow below each flap limit before you select the next stage.
- The landing is long: touch down in the first third of the runway and keep the brakes smooth.
What To Practise
- Descend from 20,000 feet to a stabilised approach at 1,500 feet with the speed under control the whole way.
- Fly a full mission: takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach and landing without touching the autopilot.
- Land in a crosswind and keep the centerline all the way through the rollout.